The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually
looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.
Complex Reconciliation Accuracy
The percentage of assigned complex balance sheet reconciliations (e.g., revenue, accruals, intercompany) that are completed without material errors or significant review notes.
Target · 99% accuracy rate You complete 15 complex reconciliations in a month. Only one has a minor review note from the Manager, which you quickly resolve. That's a 93% clean rate; we're aiming for fewer notes.
Contribution to Close Cycle Time
Your ability to complete your assigned month-end tasks and reconciliations ahead of or on schedule, directly contributing to shortening the overall close cycle.
Target · Complete all assigned tasks by WD5 (Working Day 5) If the team's target is to close by WD7, and you consistently finish your sections by WD4, you're giving the Manager a buffer and helping us hit that target faster.
Process Improvement Savings
The quantifiable time or cost savings from process improvements you identify, design, and help implement within your areas of responsibility.
Target · Identify and implement one improvement saving >£500 or 10 hours monthly per quarter You automate a manual reconciliation using Power Query, saving 15 hours of work each month. That's a clear win.
Audit Request Timeliness
How quickly and accurately you provide documentation and explanations for auditor requests related to your areas of responsibility.
Target · Respond to 95% of audit requests within 24 hours with complete and accurate information During the annual audit, you get 20 requests for supporting documents for accruals. You provide 19 of them within the day, fully correct, and chase down the last one quickly.
Quality of Financial Analysis & Commentary
Your ability to not just report numbers, but to explain what they mean, identify trends, and provide insights that help decision-making.
- Your flux analysis commentary is clear and insightful. You're asked to present findings to non-finance teams. Your Manager trusts your explanations without needing to double-check.
Mentorship & Team Support
How effectively you guide and support junior accountants, helping them develop their skills and understand complex accounting concepts.
- Junior team members regularly come to you for help. Your Manager notes specific instances where your guidance prevented errors or accelerated a junior's learning. You're patient and clear when explaining things.
Proactive Problem Solving
Your initiative in identifying potential issues (e.g., control weaknesses, data discrepancies) before they become bigger problems, and proposing solutions.
- You flag a potential issue with a new revenue stream's accounting treatment before month-end. You spot a recurring data entry error and suggest a fix to the upstream team, rather than just correcting it yourself.
Stakeholder Collaboration & Communication
How well you work with other teams to get the information you need and explain financial impacts clearly, without resorting to jargon.
- Other department leads give positive feedback about your interactions. You can explain a complex accrual to a Sales Director in a way they understand. You don't just send emails, you pick up the phone when needed.
