My CPA cousin in Toledo made me question if I actually run a business

My CPA cousin in Toledo made me question if I actually run a business. We were at my aunt's cookout last Sunday and she asked how I manage cash flow. I said I just check my bank app every morning. She gave me this look and said, 'so you're guessing, not managing.' Then she pulled up her phone and showed me a 12 month rolling forecast spreadsheet for her whole firm. It hit different because I've been doing sales and invoices month to month for 3 years, but never looked past 30 days. Am I the only one who treats bookkeeping like a rearview mirror instead of a road map?

2 comments

2 Comments

phoenix_thompson423d ago

Man, that hit way too close to home. I felt personally attacked when she said "guessing, not managing" because that's literally my whole system. I'm over here celebrating when my checking account has enough to cover payroll for the next two weeks, and she's out here predicting what October of next year looks like. My "road map" is basically a sticky note with some numbers I scribbled and hoped would work out. Honestly, if someone asked me for a 12 month forecast, I'd probably just pick a number and hope they don't ask follow up questions. It's wild how we can run a business for years and still treat the future like it's a surprise test we didn't study for.

julia55722d ago

Ha! That sticky note thing made me laugh because I literally have a whiteboard above my desk with "MARCH GOALS" on it. It's still showing February numbers and I just cross them out with a sharpie when I remember. I once told my husband I was "projecting" sales for the quarter and he asked if I meant the ceiling fan dust situation was getting to me. Honestly the only forecast I trust is the weather one, and even that lies to me half the time!