Execution Gap Checklist

Why Great Consulting Firms Still Bleed Cash—And What to Do About It

Based on insights from Russell Fette, Fractional CFO | Puget Sound CFO

Are you “winning on paper”—but still struggling with cash flow or margin?

Most consulting firms scaling to 10–50 employees hit this wall:

• Metrics look great. Utilization is up. KPIs are green.

• But margin is flat. Cash flow is tight. Partner debates go in circles.

• More reporting, tools, or even a new CFO... yet the chaos creeps back in.

The real problem?
An Execution Gap—when leadership and numbers aren’t truly aligned.

7 RED FLAGS YOU MIGHT HAVE AN EXECUTION GAP:

□ Revenue targets met, but surprise cash crunches still hit.

□ Weekly meetings become KPI debates—no clear follow-through.

□ Partners or execs have different definitions of “profit” or “success.”

□ Major decisions are made from partial data or gut instinct.

□ Multiple dashboards or “shadow spreadsheets” drive conflicting actions.

□ You’ve tried outside help/tools, but margin and clarity issues persist.

□ No regular, shared rhythm for reviewing real cash (beyond crisis mode).

Check 2 or more?
You likely have an Execution Gap.

3 FAST MOVES TO CLOSE THE GAP:

1. Define Your “One Source of Truth”:
Stop the “choose your own numbers” game. Build a single dashboard for cash, margin, and runway.

2. Sync Leadership Cadence:
Review 3 key numbers every week—together: cash, margin, revenue per dollar spent.
Make one decision as a team.

3. Pressure-Test Alignment:
Ask every exec: “What’s our true margin? How much runway?”
If answers don’t match, fix that first.

Want the Full Playbook?

Get the “Execution Gap” guide & Take 5-Min ALIGN™ Scorecard—diagnose hidden misalignment before it costs you your next million.

Discover why even successful consulting firms struggle with margin, and how hidden misalignment—not just KPIs—can quietly erode growth.

Instantly see where your leadership team is truly aligned—and where silent execution gaps are draining profit, cash flow, and momentum.