The 3 Monthly Reports Every Owner Should Actually Read

Most owners get a stack of reports each month and never open them. The truth is you only need three — and about ten minutes — to know how your business is really doing.

1. Profit & Loss. Are you actually making money? Look at revenue vs expenses over the last month and compare to the same month last year.

2. Balance Sheet. What do you own vs owe? Watch for growing accounts receivable (customers not paying) and shrinking cash.

3. Cash Flow Statement. Profit isn't cash. This report shows where your cash actually came from and where it went — the number one thing that surprises growing businesses.

In a monthly Performance Review, we walk through all three together so the numbers stop being abstract and start driving real decisions.