The scoreboard, honestly: the hard targets, how often each one is actually looked at,
and the quiet human signals that never make it onto a dashboard.
External Audit Adjustments
The monetary value and number of material adjustments identified by external auditors post-close.
Target · Zero material adjustments annually; <5 immaterial adjustments.Reducing audit adjustments from £2M in 2023 to £500K in 2024, aiming for zero material findings.
Month-End Close Cycle Time
The number of working days it takes to complete the global financial close process, from period end to final consolidated statements.
Target · Achieve WD+3 for full global consolidation.Successfully reducing the close from WD+5 to WD+4 within 12 months, then pushing for WD+3.
Internal Control Effectiveness
Results of internal control testing and external auditor opinions on the effectiveness of our control environment (e.g., SOX compliance).
Target · No significant deficiencies or material weaknesses identified.Maintaining a 'clean' audit opinion on internal controls for three consecutive years, with no control failures impacting financial statements.
Reporting Accuracy & Timeliness
The accuracy of statutory filings, investor reports, and internal management packs, alongside their on-time delivery.
Target · 100% on-time delivery for all external filings; <0.1% error rate in key financial reports.All quarterly SEC filings submitted ahead of deadline with zero restatements or material corrections.
Finance Talent Retention & Development
The retention rate of key talent within the corporate accounting and reporting functions, and the number of internal promotions.
Target · Voluntary attrition <10% for direct reports; >25% of leadership team promoted internally.Achieving a 92% retention rate across the global reporting team and seeing three direct reports move into more senior leadership roles within two years.
Board and Audit Committee Confidence
The level of trust and confidence the Board and Audit Committee have in the financial reporting process and the information presented.
- Proactive engagement from Board members seeking your counsel
- direct positive feedback on clarity and transparency of reports
- smooth and efficient audit committee meetings with minimal last-minute questions.
Investor and Analyst Trust
How external investors and financial analysts perceive the credibility and reliability of our financial disclosures.
- Positive sentiment in analyst reports regarding financial transparency
- direct feedback from investor relations on clear communication
- consistent and accurate guidance provided to the market.
Strategic Counsel Quality
The value and impact of your strategic input on major business decisions, M&A activities, and financial policy.
- Being consistently invited to C-suite strategic planning sessions
- your recommendations being adopted in major M&A integration plans
- other executives seeking your opinion on complex financial implications of business initiatives.
Regulatory Relationship Management
The effectiveness of our relationships with key regulatory bodies and tax authorities globally.
- No regulatory penalties or significant inquiries
- proactive engagement with regulators on new standards
- positive outcomes from tax audits and regulatory reviews.
Organisational Alignment on Financial Policy
The degree to which accounting policies and financial controls are consistently understood and applied across all business units and geographies.
- Reduced instances of policy misinterpretation by regional teams
- successful rollout of new accounting standards with minimal resistance
- positive feedback from business unit leaders on clarity of guidance.