Monthly Financial Review

If you’re scaling, there’s a point where “checking the bank balance” stops working.

Because scale-ups don’t usually fail from lack of effort. They struggle when decisions get bigger, cash moves faster, and small leaks become expensive.

That’s why one of the simplest (and most powerful) habits you can build is a monthly financial review—a short, consistent money meeting that turns your numbers into decisions.

This isn’t about staring at spreadsheets for hours. It’s about spending 30 minutes once a month so your business stops surprising you.

Why scale-ups need a monthly financial review

When you’re growing, you’re juggling:

• more transactions

• more subscriptions and tools

• team costs (even contractors count)

• larger tax and remittance obligations

• more “quick decisions” that add up

A monthly financial review helps you catch issues early—before they turn into stress:

• margin shrink (more revenue, less profit)

• late receivables

• expense creep

• cash timing problems

• over-hiring or under-pricing

The goal is simple: less guessing, more control.

The 30-minute monthly finance meeting agenda

1) Scoreboard first (5 minutes)

Start with a quick “CEO dashboard.” Pick 5–8 numbers that matter most to your business. Examples:

• Revenue (month + year-to-date)

• Gross margin %

• Net profit %

• Cash on hand

• Accounts receivable (how much you’re owed)

• Accounts payable (what you owe soon)

• Sales pipeline or booked work (next 30–60 days)

Keep this consistent each month so you can spot trends fast.

2) Profit & Loss review (10 minutes)

This is where you answer: “Did we make money the way we think we did?”

Look for:

• Revenue changes (what drove it?)

• Cost changes (did delivery costs rise?)

• Expense creep (subscriptions, contractors, ads, tools)

• Margin trends (are we working harder for less?)

Scale-up tip: If revenue is up but profit is flat, don’t ignore it. That’s a pricing, delivery, or cost control signal.

3) Cash flow + timing (10 minutes)

This is the part that reduces panic.

Review:

• Cash on hand today

• Money expected in the next 30 days (realistic dates)

• Big outflows due in the next 30 days (payroll, tax, tools, contractors, loan payments)

• Any timing gaps (outflows before inflows)

You’re not forecasting the year here—you’re scanning the next 30 days so you can plan.

4) Decisions + action items (5 minutes)

End with: “So what are we doing next?”

Choose 1–3 actions, assign an owner, and set a date. Examples:

• tighten payment terms or follow up on overdue invoices

• adjust pricing or reduce scope creep

• pause non-essential spending

• plan tax set-asides

• change a process that’s creating extra delivery hours

This is what makes the meeting valuable: decisions and accountability.

What to prepare before the meeting (so it stays 30 minutes)

To keep this short and useful, prep a simple “meeting pack”:

• P&L (current month + year-to-date)

• balance sheet snapshot (quick scan)

• AR list (who owes you + how old it is)

• upcoming payables list

• your KPI scoreboard

If your bookkeeping isn’t up to date, this meeting becomes guesswork. Consistency matters more than perfection.

Common mistake: treating this like “bookkeeping time”

This is not a meeting to recategorize transactions.

This is a meeting to answer:

• What happened?

• What does it mean?

• What are we changing?

Bookkeeping supports the meeting. The meeting drives decisions.

What to do this month (quick start)

If you’re starting from scratch, do this:

1. Pick a recurring date (same time each month)

2. Choose 5–8 KPIs for your scoreboard

3. Use the agenda above for 30 minutes

4. Commit to doing it again next month

Momentum comes from repetition.

FAQ

What is a monthly financial review?
A recurring monthly check-in where you review key financial reports and KPIs to catch issues early and make better business decisions.

What should I cover in a monthly money meeting?
KPIs, P&L, cash flow timing, receivables/payables, and the next 30 days of decisions.

How long should a monthly finance meeting take?
If your numbers are prepared, 30 minutes is enough for a focused review and action plan.

If you’re scaling and want a simple, repeatable rhythm for reviewing your numbers (without drowning in reports), I can help you set up a monthly financial review process that fits your business—plus the KPIs that actually matter for your growth.

https://1shalini.com/bizbuddy-program/

 

 

 

 

This article provides general information and education only. It is not accounting, tax, legal, or investment advice. Any strategies mentioned may not be suitable for your situation. For guidance specific to you or your business, please consult a CPA and/or licensed financial advisor.