FIND THE GAPS.
In order to know where to go next, you have to know where you stand.
Our finance checklist will help you figure out the capabilities your team has today and what’s missing, so you can make a plan of attack - whether that be making a hire, choosing what to let go, or picking the next project to prioritize.
Ready to assess your finance practice?
As a finance leader, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
Working in a back office function can feel reactive. Here’s how a simple checklist can help you feel more in control, create routines, and stop fighting fires.
Gain CONTROL - With so many irons in the fire, it may feel like the last thing you want to do is measure how you are stacking up against a checklist. But we’ve found that this simple exercise in self-awareness often helps alleviate the stress of the unknown. In doing this simple exercise, you’ll celebrate some wins, find the gaps, and make a plan that puts future you in an even better position.
Create ROUTINES - Checklists help us filter out the non-essentials and focus on what matters most. When you have a view of what you want your team to be able to do, you can start to establish the right cadence and routines to keep your team on track.
Stop FIGHTING FIRES - You know that treading water feeling? Us too. It’s not great. But as you work to fill in this checklist, gaining control and establishing routines along the way, it won’t be long until you feel ahead instead of behind. Once you lay the foundation of the finance practice laid out in the checklist, you will free up more time for the forward-thinking, strategic work.
HOW CAN YOU PUT THE CHECKLIST TO WORK?
Assess. Take an hour out of your day to download the checklist and reflect on your practice. Know that this isn’t a test and there are no right or wrong answers; we believe in the growth mindset here. After reading through the checklist and considering your team, categorize each item as done (green), in process (yellow) or needs work (red).
Show & Tell. Change rarely happens in a vacuum. Share your thoughts and get feedback from your team - this will help them understand where you believe the practice is today and gain accountability for where you want to go next. It can also help you calibrate and make changes if you need to. After that, share this checklist with other members of your ELT and consider sharing it as part of the quarterly board meetings. This list can help create meaningful conversations around priorities and hiring.
Repeat. Know it is unrealistic to improve everything at once. Set a cadence (we suggest quarterly) to regroup and assess progress. Celebrate the victories (no matter how small they may seem!) and keep the momentum going.