Finance Function & CFO Advisory
The business has outgrown its systems
“Our business has grown faster than our systems.”What owners tell us
The situation
Signs you are facing this
- Key data lives in spreadsheets on one person's laptop
- The same entry is typed into several places
- Errors are found at year end, not when they happen
- One absence stops invoicing or payroll
The situation
The business has outgrown its systems
Driver 1
Systems chosen for a smaller business
What worked at ten staff breaks at fifty.
Driver 2
No documented process
Steps live in people's heads, so quality varies.
Driver 3
Weak controls
Approvals and reconciliations are skipped under pressure.
- 1
Diagnose
Map current processes
Order to cash, purchase to pay, payroll and close.
- 2
Design
Redesign and control
Remove duplicate steps and add approvals where risk sits.
- 3
Embed
Choose and implement
Select software that fits the new process, then train the team.
- Process and systems review
- Chart of accounts and month-end close checklist
- Systems roadmap with priorities
- Reporting automation plan
Common questions
When should a business move off spreadsheets?
When several people edit the same files, when reconciliations take days, or when errors reach customers or tax returns.
Which accounting software is right for my business?
It depends on transaction volume, inventory, branches and IRD billing requirements. Define the process first, then pick the software that fits it.
Related situations
- “Our finance team records numbers but gives us little insight.”Finance records the numbers but gives no insight
- “There are too many reports and I still do not know which numbers matter.”Too many reports, and still unclear which numbers matter
- “We need CFO-level thinking without hiring a full-time CFO.”CFO-level thinking without a full-time CFO