The report arrives on the 15th. The decision was made on the 3rd.

Most reporting complaints get diagnosed as accuracy problems. The more expensive fault is usually timing, and better numbers won't fix it.

By Steve 5 min read
Abstract bridge artwork for The report arrives on the 15th. The decision was made on the 3rd.

A familiar sequence: the management accounts are late and slightly wrong, so the business invests in fixing them. New system, tighter close process, a part-time finance hire. Six months later the accounts arrive on the tenth working day and reconcile beautifully. Decision quality is unchanged. The reason is that accuracy was never the binding constraint. The constraint was latency: how old the number is by the time it reaches the person who could act on it, measured against how often that person has to act. A perfectly accurate figure that…

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Important: General information only. Rialto Bridge articles describe patterns and considerations that may apply to a business; they are not financial, legal, tax or accounting advice, and they take no account of your particular circumstances. Consider your own situation and seek advice from a qualified professional before acting.

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