Most owners only look closely at their numbers when something feels wrong. A monthly money meeting flips that around: you look on purpose, once a month, before anything feels wrong.
Put 30 minutes on the calendar a week or so after month-end, once the books are caught up. Here's the agenda I'd use:
Cash. What's in the bank, and what does your 13-week forecast (Issue 073) say about the next few months?
Profit and loss. How did this month compare to last month and the same month last year? Anything surprising?
Who owes you. Which invoices are past due, and who's calling them this week?
What you owe. Bills, card balance, loan payments, and any tax payments coming up.
One decision. Raise a price, hold off on a purchase, follow up on a slow payer, call your tax preparer. Write it down.
That's it. The meeting works because it's regular, not because it's long. If you have a partner or spouse in the business, invite them.
This is the core of what I do with clients as a fractional controller: clean numbers each month and a real conversation about what they mean. If you'd like a seat at that table, send me a message through the Contact page.
— Rachel, Two Miles LLC