The 15-Minute Monthly Financial Check-In™
A simple monthly habit for understanding what's happening in your business — without becoming an accountant.
Your bookkeeping may already be done.
Your reports may already exist.
But once a month, you should know what they're telling you.
This free Financial Check-In walks you through the numbers and questions worth looking at before another month disappears.
No login. No accounting test. No financial-health grade.
Just fifteen focused minutes with your business.
Grab these if you have them.
You don't need perfect books to complete this check-in. If they're available, having these nearby will make it more useful:
- Current Profit & Loss statement
- Current Balance Sheet
- Current bank balance
- Accounts receivable information
- Upcoming bills
- Payroll information
- Recent tax information
Don't have all of these? That's useful information too. Continue anyway.
What is a monthly financial check-in for a small business?
A monthly financial check-in is a short review of a business's financial activity, cash position, receivables, obligations, payroll, and significant changes. Its purpose is to help the business owner understand what happened during the month, identify questions that need answers, and decide what deserves attention next.
What should a business owner review every month?
Each month, an owner should review the Profit & Loss statement, the Balance Sheet, the current cash position, accounts receivable, upcoming bills and obligations, payroll obligations where applicable, tax obligations where applicable, and any significant changes in revenue or expenses. The goal is understanding, not preparing the books yourself.
Why do a monthly financial review?
Reviewing financial information on a regular rhythm helps an owner recognize changes earlier, prepare better questions for a bookkeeper, CPA, or payroll provider, and connect what happened in the business with where it shows up in the reports. It does not prevent business failure or guarantee financial results — it builds understanding.
What this tool is not
The Monthly Financial Check-In is an educational reflection tool. It is not accounting, tax, legal, investment, or financial advice, not a business valuation, not a financial-health score, not a diagnostic test, and not a replacement for a CPA, bookkeeper, payroll provider, or other professional. You do not need to become an accountant to understand your business.
Written by Michelle Myrick, Founder, Myrick Balance Bookkeeping · Intuit-certified in QuickBooks Online and Bookkeeping · 20+ years in business and medical practice operations. Last reviewed: August 2026.
For business-education organizations
The Monthly Financial Check-In™ is free to use and share with small-business owners. Organizations, mentors, bookkeepers, CPAs, coaches, chambers, SBDCs, Women's Business Centers, and other business-education programs may link directly to this public tool. Linking does not imply endorsement by any named organization.
Interested in using The Financial Check-Up™ educational resources with your community? Contact Michelle.