What our health check found and how we fixed it

What our health check found and how we fixed it

Services: Process mapping · Xero health check · Quarterly Dlight service · Bookkeeper sourcing · P&L by income stream

What every new Ascentis client goes through

When we take on a new client, we start with two assessments: Process Mapping and a Xero Health Check. Process Mapping is a detailed review of every financial operation in the business. The Xero Health Check covers over 50 aspects of the financial software, rating each as good, needing refinement, or requiring urgent attention.

For this client, both assessments flagged serious issues. The year-end accounts exercise confirmed them.

What we found

The initial assessment revealed major problems in the Xero account. The year-end work uncovered incomplete, inefficient accounts and an accounts team that was already overstretched. The bookkeeping had significant deficiencies affecting accuracy and the ability to make informed decisions.

What we did

We sourced a highly recommended external bookkeeper to address the deficiencies directly, and recommended the client take on our Quarterly Dlight service — structured sessions throughout the year to address issues and improve cut-off procedures and tracking mechanisms.

From the process mapping, we also identified the key income streams of the business — and prepared separate P&L accounts for each one, so the client could see clearly which areas were making money and which were holding the business back.

What changed

  • All bookkeeping issues resolved — all control accounts now reconcile
  • Quarterly Dlight meetings in place for ongoing improvement and accountability
  • P&L accounts by income stream, giving the directors a clear view of where profit is made
  • Informed decision-making based on reliable financial information

The result

A business that had been making decisions based on incomplete data now has a clear financial picture. The health check didn’t just find problems, it created the foundation for much better financial management.