I recently onboarded an $8M+ contracting business and dove straight into their accounting. To be honest, the books were rough — years of missing historical data and a significant cleanup job ahead. We got to work immediately, fixing what we could and rebuilding better financial processes from the ground up.
But here’s the reality most owners face: even when the books are behind, the business doesn’t pause. Decisions still have to be made. Projects move forward, people need to be hired, equipment has to be purchased, and cash still goes out the door. Waiting for “perfect” financials isn’t an option.
Within the first 30 days of this engagement, we stood up the first version of a cash flow forecast. It wasn’t flawless — and it didn’t need to be. What mattered was clarity. For the first time, the owner could actually see how cash moved through the business and what decisions would impact it most. The shift was immediate. The conversation moved from reactive to strategic.
Suddenly we were talking through real questions that mattered: Should an expansion project be delayed or accelerated? Does it make more sense to hire now or invest in equipment first? How should owner draws be structured so there’s enough cash to cover debt and upcoming tax payments?
Clean books are important, and we’re fixing them. But meaningful financial conversations don’t have to wait. Even when the numbers are messy, you can still make smart, strategic decisions that move the business forward right now.
