Assess Your Bookkeeping: Five Questions for Financial Wellness

Embarking on a new financial check-up? Bring your pen, take a deep breath, and evaluate your bookkeeping prowess with these five essential queries.

Only five, yet each is crucial.

Even if you're confident in your financial management, you might find unexpected gaps. These questions shed light on hidden issues like unnoticed cash flow inconsistencies, pricing flaws, tax efficiencies, and growth challenges.

Ready to uncover the insights? Let’s dive in.

Understanding the Scoring System

Assign yourself a score between 0–5 for each question.

  • 0 = Not at all

  • 5 = Consistently, every month without fail

Your possible total ranges from 0–25 points.

Remember, this is about gaining clarity.

Image 1

1. Are you closing your books monthly with precision?

Consider this like routine maintenance for your business.

  • Regular sanitary financials

  • Accurate, trustworthy reports

  • Avoiding guesswork

  • Early detection of potential issues

If you’re behind or unclear about the process, mark yourself lower on this scale.

Rate yourself: 0–5.

2. Are you aware of your gross profit margin?

Your revenue covers costs, but your margin sustains you.

Without understanding margins, you risk operating blindly, unable to address pricing or operational inefficiencies effectively.

Successful businesses understand and actively enhance their margins.

Rate yourself: 0–5.

Image 3

3. Do you know your breakeven point and cash days on hand?

This is the real-world stress test and peace-preserver.

  • Understanding sales needed to breakeven

  • Days of cash available

  • Ability to manage unexpected slowdowns

Have Questions?
Let's talk. We are here to help!
Contact Us

If these concepts feel foreign, your score here should reflect that.

Rate yourself: 0–5.

4. Does your financial reporting reveal trends and KPIs?

Basic reports are useful, but those showing patterns and key performance indicators can transform your business.

With these insights, you gain true command over your operations.

If your data lacks context and foresight, consider a lower score.

Rate yourself: 0–5.

Image 2

5. Do you implement a budget or cash flow forecasting?

Forecasts and budgets turn your financials into a proactive tool rather than reactive.

A well-structured budget directs funds effectively, while cashflow analysis ensures you won’t run dry.

Without these, you might be stuck in a costly, unpredictable loop.

Rate yourself: 0–5.

Final Results: Decoding Your Score

0–10 points: Financial Firefighting

Reactive rather than strategic, risking stress with each challenging month.

11–17 points: Stable, Yet Reactive

Your business is safe, though overlooking substantial enhancements.

18–22 points: Solid, Yet With Potential

Firms in this range start refining their profits and operations efficiently.

23–25 points: Optimal Financial Strategy

Your operations signify sophisticated financial acumen. Keep pushing for expansive scalability.

Ready to Elevate Your Score? Partner with Us.

For most proprietors, the need is not for more data, but clearer and more insightful data.

We can enhance your bookkeeping procedures, forecasting capabilities, and provide a transparent dashboard.

Enable your financials to empower growth rather than leave things to chance. Collaborate with Haley Claypool & Associates for best results.

Have Questions?
Let's talk. We are here to help!
Contact Us
Share this article...

Sign up for our newsletter.

Each month, we will send you a roundup of our latest blog content covering the tax and accounting tips & insights you need to know.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .

We care about the protection of your data.

Welcome! We're here to help.
How can I assist you?
Please fill out the form and our team will get back to you shortly The form was sent successfully