If you’re an agency owner juggling sales, team management, clients, and operations, financial clarity is probably the last thing on your to-do list. But what if I told you that one simple weekly CFO habit could save you thousands of dollars every month and help you run a wildly profitable agency?
That’s what we call The CFO Habit.
And no—you don’t need to hire a Chief Financial Officer to do this. It takes just 30 minutes a week and gives you a clear view of your agency’s true financial health.
Let’s dive into what The CFO Habit is, why it works, how real-world companies use it, and how you can start implementing it today.
What Is The CFO Habit?
The CFO Habit is a structured 30-minute weekly meeting where you step into the mindset of a CFO, review your numbers, and make financial decisions based on real data—not gut feelings.
Here’s what The CFO Habit covers:
- Cash in Bank
- Accounts Receivable
- Accounts Payable
- Month-to-Date Revenue
- Top 3 Expenses
- Net Profit
Think of this like brushing your teeth. It’s not glamorous. But skip it long enough, and you’ll end up in serious pain.
Why This Simple Habit Works
Let’s break down how each part of The CFO Habit delivers real financial results:
1. Cash in Bank
Knowing exactly how much cash you have at any given time helps you avoid overdraft fees, payroll panic, or unexpected shortfalls.
Example: A boutique marketing agency in the UK had $9,400 in the bank and thought they were doing fine. But they forgot to account for $7,800 in upcoming payments. After adopting The CFO Habit, they prevented a near payroll failure.
2. Accounts Receivable (AR)
Reviewing AR ensures that you’re collecting money that’s owed to you. Agencies often let unpaid invoices slide for 30, 60, even 90 days.
Example: Salesforce tracks AR weekly. In one internal audit, they identified over $2 million in aging receivables. By automating follow-ups, they improved cash flow by 12% in a single quarter.
3. Accounts Payable (AP)
Know what YOU owe. Review upcoming bills: freelancers, software subscriptions, tools, rent. Don’t be caught off guard.
Tip: Categorize AP by due date and urgency. This helps you negotiate payment terms when needed.
4. Month-to-Date Revenue
Tracking MTD revenue lets you course-correct in real-time. Don’t wait till the end of the month to find out you’re behind on your goals.
Example: Amazon runs real-time revenue tracking across teams. One division paused an underperforming campaign and redirected resources within the week, improving sales by 18%.
5. Top 3 Expenses
Every week, identify your biggest expenses. Ask: “Is this driving growth or draining profit?”
Example: A 8-person creative agency cut $1,900/month in software after realizing they were subscribed to 3 different project management tools.
6. Net Profit
This is the money that’s actually yours. Most agency owners confuse revenue with success. But profit tells the real story.
Quick math:
- Revenue: $25,000
- Expenses: $21,000
- Profit: $4,000
Working 60 hours/week? That’s $16/hour.
This realization often pushes agency owners to raise prices, cut low ROI services, or restructure delivery.
Real-World Examples of The CFO Habit in Action
Apple nearly went bankrupt in the 90s. When Steve Jobs returned, he brought in financial discipline. Today, Apple sits on $200B+ in cash, thanks to relentless focus on cash flow and operational efficiency.
Starbucks, during the 2008 crisis, ran weekly financial reviews that led them to close 600 underperforming stores. It wasn’t easy, but it saved them from collapse.
A small digital agency started doing The CFO Habit weekly. In just two months:
- Recovered $12,000 in overdue payments
- Cut $1,900/month in expenses
- Boosted profit by 22%
No new hires. No extra clients. Just one new habit.
How To Start The CFO Habit This Week
Block 30 minutes every week. Create a Notion dashboard or use a Google Sheet. Here’s the agenda:
- Monday Morning: Review revenue and expenses from the prior week
- Tuesday: Follow up on overdue invoices
- Wednesday: Review AP and plan payments
- Thursday: Adjust budget forecasts
- Friday: Assess profit and decide priorities for next week
Ready for More Clarity & Profit?
If you want help implementing this inside your agency, I offer a Free Financial Audit Call. No pitch. No prep needed. Just pure value.
You’ll walk away with:
- A breakdown of your current financial leaks
- A custom plan to increase profit
- The confidence to make smarter money decisions
Book your call now and start using The CFO Habit to finally take control of your business.
By building The CFO Habit into your routine, you’re not just saving money—you’re building a smarter, scalable, and stress-free agency.
Let’s make your numbers work for you.
Your future self will thank you.
