Part 2 of the “Bridging the Gap” Series

When it comes to financial data, most people focus on what happened.

The bookkeeper says:

“It’s categorized and reconciled.”

The CPA says:

“It’s filed and compliant.”

But me? I ask:

“Why did that happen?”
“How does this connect to the bigger picture?”
“Is this telling us something that hasn’t been said out loud yet?”

As a Financial Strategist, my job isn’t just to record what happened—it’s to uncover what it means.

Why Most People Don’t Ask These Questions

Bookkeepers are focused on entry. CPAs are focused on accuracy and filing.
There’s no incentive in either role to stop and ask:

• Why did your expenses spike in Q2?
• Why is that contractor showing up under “Meals”?
• Why is your profit up but your bank balance low?

These questions live outside of their defined scope—and that’s why they often go unasked.

The Questions I Ask That Make a Difference

Here’s a peek into the kind of questions that lead to clarity, savings, and strategy:

“Is this expense coded correctly for your industry?”

Some categories are broad—but the IRS sees them narrowly. I ask if your coding reflects real deduction potential or if we’re leaving money on the table.

“What does this tell us about your business behavior?”

Patterns matter. If software costs have doubled but revenue hasn’t moved, we talk about ROI—not just line items.

“Does this recurring charge still serve you?”

Subscriptions, tools, services—these get forgotten fast. I check for waste and redundancy.

“Why does your revenue look good, but cash flow doesn’t?”

This opens the door to conversations about:

• Late-paying clients
• Over-reliance on one revenue stream
• Unrealistic pricing

“What’s hiding in your personal account?”

Many clients mix personal and business expenses (especially solopreneurs). I gently dig in to catch missed deductions—without judgment.

Why These Questions Matter

You don’t need someone who just tells you what happened.
You need someone who asks:

• Does this make sense?
• Can we improve this?
• Is something being overlooked here?

That’s where I live. That’s the bridge.

Up Next:

Part 3: Where Money Slips Through the Cracks (and How to Catch It)

Want me to ask the questions no one else is asking?
Schedule a consultation—and let’s find out what your numbers are really trying to tell you.