3 Numbers Every Business Owner Should Check Weekly

Beyond the Bank Balance

Most business owners check their bank balance religiously. But here's the thing – your bank balance is like looking in the rear-view mirror. It tells you where you've been, not where you're heading.

After 15 years of helping New Zealand businesses get their finances sorted, I've learned that the most successful business owners have a simple weekly routine. They check three specific numbers that actually predict their financial future.

These aren't complicated calculations or fancy metrics. They're practical numbers that take less than 10 minutes to review but can save you from major headaches down the track.

Number 1: Outstanding Invoices (Accounts Receivable)

What it tells you: How much money customers owe you right now.

Why it matters: This is money you've already earned but haven't collected yet. If this number keeps growing, you're heading for a cash flow crisis.

The weekly check: Look at invoices that are over the due date. If this amount is growing week after week, you need to get serious about following up with customers.

Red flag: If outstanding invoices are more than 40% of your monthly revenue, your collection process needs immediate attention.

Quick action: Send friendly reminder emails for invoices over 7 days after the due date, and make phone calls for anything over 14 days over the due date.

Number 2: Upcoming Expenses (Next 30 Days)

What it tells you: All the bills and expenses you know are coming in the next month.

Why it matters: Your current bank balance might look healthy, but if you have $15,000 in expenses due next week, that changes everything.

The weekly check: Review your calendar for upcoming payments – rent, loan repayments, tax obligations, supplier invoices, wages, insurance renewals.

Red flag: If upcoming expenses exceed your current cash plus expected invoice collections, you need to act now.

Quick action: Prioritise collecting overdue invoices, negotiate payment terms with suppliers, or arrange temporary financing before you hit a crunch.

Number 3: Average Weekly Revenue Run Rate

What it tells you: Whether your business is trending up, down, or staying steady.

Why it matters: This number reveals patterns your monthly reports might miss. A gradual decline in weekly revenue is much easier to fix early than waiting for a quarterly disaster.

The weekly check: Calculate this week's revenue and compare it to your 4-week average. Look for trends over time, not just one-off good or bad weeks.

Red flag: If you're consistently below your 4-week average for three weeks in a row, investigate immediately.

Quick action: If revenue is dropping, review your sales pipeline, check if key customers have reduced orders, or identify if seasonal patterns are affecting your business.

Your 10-Minute Weekly Financial Check

Here's how to make this routine stick:

Pick the same day each week – Monday mornings work well because you're planning the week ahead.

Create a simple template – List the three numbers and track them over time. Spreadsheet, notebook, whatever works for you.

Set trigger points – Decide in advance what levels require immediate action, so you're not making emotional decisions under pressure.

Review trends, not just snapshots – One bad week might be a fluke, but three weeks of decline is a pattern that needs addressing.

The Power of Early Warning

These three numbers act like a financial early warning system. They help you spot problems while you can still fix them easily, rather than waiting until you're in crisis mode.

The businesses that thrive are the ones that stay ahead of their numbers instead of constantly reacting to financial surprises.

Your weekly check should give you confidence to make decisions, not anxiety about what might be lurking in your finances.

Making It Happen

If pulling these numbers feels complicated or time-consuming, that's a sign your bookkeeping systems need improvement. The right setup makes this information instantly available, not a research project.

Good financial systems don't just record what happened – they help you see what's coming so you can steer your business toward success.

Ready to set up systems that give you the financial clarity you need? Let's create a weekly routine that actually helps you run your business.