The Quick Accounting Firm Operational Clarity Assessment for <$5m Firms
Human at Scale has taken years of operational execution and industry expertise in Accounting to formulate this basic yet comprehensive approach to quickly understanding your current operational state.
Instructions
For each statement below, rate yourself and your firm on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree). These ten questions cover the best practice areas of a firm and are proven to be the areas where failure points occur.
Be honest – the goal is to uncover bottlenecks and opportunities and the only way to do that is with a true unbiased assessment. We will then send you your score along with a playbook to use to take immediate action on how to solve these gaps in your business.
Time Management & Energy
Question: I have a sustainable work schedule that maximizes my energy and focus for high-priority work. Consider: Do you set aside “deep work” blocks at times you’re most productive, and if you avoid constantly working 60+ hour stressful weeks. Leaders who align their schedule with their natural energy peaks get more growth-related work done - and are happier doing it.1 is Strongly Disagree and 5 is Strongly Agree
Delegation & Workload
Question: I regularly delegate or outsource routine tasks (scheduling, emails, invoicing, etc.) so I can focus on strategic priorities.Consider: Founders stuck “in the weeds” often spend too much time on administrative or delivery tasks. This question gauges if you’ve identified tasks consuming your time and handed them off to others, freeing you up for higher-level work.1 is Strongly Disagree and 5 is Strongly Agree
Role Clarity
Question: Each team member (including myself) has clearly defined responsibilities and ownership of outcomes.Consider: When roles are well-defined, you should feel confident there’s a solid foundation – “the floor” – that supports scaling up. Clear organizational design and accountability structures ensure nothing falls through the cracks.1 is Strongly Disagree and 5 is Strongly Agree
Process Documentation
Question: We have documented processes or standard operating procedures for our core activities, and the team follows them consistently.Consider: Strong operations mean work is not ad-hoc. If processes are defined, documented, and used, your business can run like a well-oiled machine. This question checks if you’ve captured how tasks should be done, enabling consistency and continuous improvement.1 is Strongly Disagree and 5 is Strongly Agree
Metrics & KPIs
Question: We have defined what success looks like (key metrics or KPIs) for each major role or process, and we track these regularly.Consider: Every responsibility needs clear success criteria. Using data to measure performance guides better decisions and sustainable growth. Score yourself on whether you’re “measuring what matters” in your organization.1 is Strongly Disagree and 5 is Strongly Agree
Team Meetings & Communication
Question: We have a regular cadence of team meetings (e.g. weekly sync-ups, one-on-ones) and agreed communication norms that keep everyone aligned and issues addressed promptly. These meetings are followed to a strict cadence and are not easily cancelled or moved around. Consider: Effective team synchronization and communication norms prevent chaos. For example, holding a weekly team sync to review goals/metrics and one-on-one meetings to develop talent ensures problems are surfaced in the right forums. Consider if your team has a shared agreement on how and when to communicate during the week.1 is Strongly Disagree and 5 is Strongly Agree
Client Experience
Question: Our client/customer onboarding and delivery processes are smooth and proactive, resulting in high client satisfaction.Consider: (Happy clients are a key outcome of solid operations. Think about response times, onboarding procedures, and quality control. A scalable operation consistently delivers a great client experience. Rate how well you deliver for clients without firefighting.)1 is Strongly Disagree and 5 is Strongly Agree
Team Development & Culture
Question: I invest time in developing my team’s skills and leadership, and our culture encourages initiative and ownership.Consider: Great leaders coach their team to solve problems and make decisions, rather than micromanaging every task. If you actively develop your people and create a sense of ownership, you’ll see higher engagement and confidence on the team. Score how well you act as a coach and empower your team.1 is Strongly Disagree and 5 is Strongly Agree
Technology & Automation
Question: We leverage appropriate tools, systems, or automation to streamline work and avoid manual inefficiencies.Consider: Modern operations use technology to save time – from project management software to automation and AI. This question checks if you have an “AI-enabled” mindset or tech stack that reduces human bottlenecks and errors. A higher score means you’re effectively using tech to scale.1 is Strongly Disagree and 5 is Strongly Agree
Financial Insight & Sustainability
Question: We regularly review financial performance (cash flow, profitability) and adjust operations to meet financial goals.Consider: Operational excellence ties into financial results. Better operational efficiency should improve cash flow and profit margins. Rate if you keep an eye on finances – e.g., tracking project profitability, resource costs – and make adjustments so the business stays healthy as it grows.1 is Strongly Disagree and 5 is Strongly Agree