FinPro Knowledge · Financial Reporting
Executive Reporting Framework
How owners, CEOs and CFOs should use a reporting system: what to look at, how often, how to read a dashboard, and how to turn numbers into decisions.
What should a manager see?
Each role needs a different view, built around the decisions it owns, not raw data.
CEOthe whole business
Company performance, growth, cash position and the strategic KPIs.
CFOfinance and cash
Cash flow, working capital, collections, forecast and budget performance.
Operationsdelivery
Project status, capacity, service levels and delivery metrics.
Salesthe pipeline
Pipeline, conversion, revenue by salesperson and customer acquisition.
At what frequency?
| Frequency | What to review |
|---|
| Real time | Cash position, bank balances and sales activity. |
| Daily | Collections, orders and inventory. |
| Weekly | Department performance, projects and sales performance. |
| Monthly | Profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow and budget vs actual. |
How to read a dashboard
1Start with the exceptions
Look at variances and outliers first, not the totals. The story is in what is off plan.
2Read trends, not points
A single number means little. Direction over time is what matters.
3Compare to plan and prior period
Always ask: against what? Budget, forecast, or last period.
4Ask why before what next
Understand the root cause before deciding the action.
From numbers to decisions
A report is only useful when it becomes a decision. Turn each finding into a decision with a named owner and a due date, and carry it into the follow-up loop. Information that does not lead to an action has not done its job.
How data becomes action
Every reporting cycle should move through the same chain:
Business event → Business information → Management decision → Business action → Business improvement
Event
Something happens in the business.
Information
It becomes a reliable number.
Decision
Management chooses a response.
Action
Someone acts, by a date.
Improvement
The business moves forward.
The bottom line
The job of reporting is not to inform management. It is to help management decide and act, faster and with more confidence.
Disclaimer. The information in this document is for educational purposes only, based on FinPro's experience. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making decisions.