KORVEN
Written by Azhar Jaffri, Co-Founder and Finance Lead · Published · Updated
CASE STUDY · FRACTIONAL CFO

Operating Dashboard for a Multi-Office Architecture Practice

The situation

A multi-office architecture practice was profitable and had no idea why. The books closed late, the partners argued about which studio was carrying the firm, and nobody could answer a simple question: which people, on which projects, actually made money. Revenue was growing. Cash never seemed to. That gap is almost always a reporting problem, not a business problem.

What outsourced CFO services actually delivered here

We rebuilt the reporting from the ledger up. A live P&L with the expense lines broken out rather than lumped. A balance sheet comparison period over period. AR aging, so the partners could see which invoices were quietly funding the clients instead of the firm. And per-person efficiency, which is the number an architecture practice lives or dies on and almost never measures. This is what fractional CFO services look like in practice: not advice, an instrument. Financial reporting that a partner can act on the same morning it lands.

What changed

YTD revenue grew 44%. Eighteen team members tracked against utilisation. Six interactive panels the partners actually open, instead of a PDF nobody reads. The dashboard below is the real thing, with the client name removed. Every figure in it came out of their books.

What we would look at in yours

Cash flow forecasting first, because a growing firm with slow receivables runs out of money while the P&L looks excellent. Then margin by project, then margin by person. Most practices discover their most prestigious client is their least profitable one.

KORVEN
CONSULTING · AMAZON · FINANCE
Client Portfolio · Financial Services
PORTFOLIO PROJECT · Financial Analytics Dashboard

Real-Time Financial Intelligence
for Architecture Firms

A fully interactive financial dashboard built for a multi-office architecture practice — covering P&L, balance sheet, AR aging, team efficiency, and AI-generated insights. Built with vanilla HTML, CSS, and Chart.js. Zero dependencies beyond a CDN. Every number tracked. Every variance explained. Built so the team always knows exactly where they stand — not just at year end.

Client: Architecture firm (confidential) Stack: HTML · CSS · Chart.js · Vanilla JS Period: Monthly + YTD May 2026 Tabs: 6 interactive panels
Financial Dashboard Data Visualization P&L Analysis Balance Sheet AR Aging Team KPIs AI Insights Chart.js Responsive Dark Theme
📊

P&L with full expense breakout

Every line item visible with MTD/YTD toggle, color-coded variances vs prior year, and category subtotals.

🏦

Balance sheet comparison

Side-by-side assets and liabilities vs prior year, with composition charts and equity waterfall.

AR aging & collections

Aging buckets, collection-to-billing ratio by month, top client rankings, and action-item summaries.

👥

Team efficiency tracker

Billable vs non-billable hours per person, YTD vs monthly toggle, and performance trend table.

🤖

AI-generated insights

Each panel surfaces contextual callouts: what's working, what needs attention, and recommended actions.

📱

Fully responsive

Adapts gracefully from desktop to mobile. All charts resize, tables scroll, tabs wrap — no fixed widths.

Architecture Practice — Financial Dashboard · May 2026
SAMPLE DATA · All figures are illustrative
● LIVE DEMO
MTD Revenue
$412.3K
↑ 38% vs May '25
MTD Net Income
$164.8K
↑ 520% vs Apr '26
YTD Revenue
$1.38M
↑ 44% vs YTD '25
YTD Net Income
$228.6K
vs –$38.4K '25
Total Assets
$2.64M
↑ 42% YoY
Retainer Pool
$1.44M
↑ 33% YoY
Pipeline
$1.04M
Potential revenue
Team Billability
73%
YTD overall
AIExecutive Summary
+May 2026 is the strongest month on record — $164.8K net income at a 40% margin, driven by a 38% revenue surge while expenses held flat at $221K. YTD net income of $228.6K represents a $267K improvement on last year's five-month loss.
+YTD revenue of $1.38M is 44% ahead of the same period in 2025 ($958K). The YTD expense ratio improved to 82% vs 105% — the firm is structurally more profitable at every revenue level.
~Over-90-day AR at 46% of receivables ($128K) remains the primary near-term risk. Actionable aged balances (ex. related-party) total ~$87K and should be escalated in June.
Monthly Revenue vs Expenses
Jan – May 2026
RevenueExpensesNet Income
YTD 2026 vs 2025
Revenue · Expenses · Net Income
20262025
Asset Composition — May 2026
Total $2.64M
Bank $1.06MOther Assets $1.07MFixed $345KCurrent $168K
Gross Margin MTD
99.8%
COGS minimal
Net Margin MTD
40.0%
vs 8.7% Apr '26
Expense Ratio YTD
82%
vs 105% YTD '25
Payroll % of Exp
55%
May — top line
AIP&L Highlights
+May net margin of 40% is a record for the firm. Payroll remained flat MoM ($124K) while revenue jumped 37% — operational leverage is working as designed.
!Professional fees dipped to $19.8K in May (vs $43K April, –54%), but YTD total $149K (+31% vs 2025). Marketing rose to $12.2K in May, led by photography ($8K) and advertising platforms ($3.1K).
~Travel & Entertainment YTD reached $39.2K (+98% vs $19.8K last year). An annualised run rate of ~$94K warrants a formal T&E cap before Q4.
Total Expenses — Full Breakdown
Line-by-line from P&L
CategoryMay '26May '25Chg $%
Automobile
Gas$72$218–$146–67%
Auto Repairs$5,920$196+$5,724+2920%
Mileage Reimbursements$436$408+$28+7%
Auto Loan Interest$312$388–$76–20%
Total Automobile$6,740$1,210+$5,530+457%
Communication
Telephone & Internet$1,184$1,302–$118–9%
Total Communication$1,184$1,302–$118–9%
Contributions & Dues
Charitable Contributions$1,120$50+$1,070+2140%
Software & Subscriptions$1,904$1,096+$808+74%
Total Contributions & Dues$3,024$1,146+$1,878+164%
Credit Card & Processing
Annual Card Fee$1,285$1,045+$240+23%
Payment Processing Fees$268$970–$702–72%
Processing Fee Credits–$229–$507+$278
Total Processing Fees$1,324$1,508–$184–12%
Insurance
Health Insurance$9,240$5,680+$3,560+63%
Workers' Compensation$612$528+$84+16%
Equipment Insurance$1,846$—+$1,846New
Property & Casualty$240$220+$20+9%
Total Insurance$11,938$6,428+$5,510+86%
Marketing
Photography$8,000$2,400+$5,600+233%
Online Advertising$2,140$2,680–$540–20%
Directory Listings$860$1,320–$460–35%
Events & Networking$288$2,110–$1,822–86%
Other Marketing$912$4,082–$3,170–78%
Total Marketing$12,200$12,592–$392–3%
Office Costs
Rent$18,000$18,000$—0%
Office Supplies$3,480$6,520–$3,040–47%
Office Maintenance$1,920$1,820+$100+6%
Payroll
Staff Wages$93,480$80,220+$13,260+17%
Principal Salary$20,867$20,792+$750%
Employer Taxes (Federal)$8,244$7,680+$564+7%
Payroll Service Fees$2,310$1,784+$526+30%
State Employer Taxes$46$—+$46New
Total Payroll$124,947$110,476+$14,471+13%
Professional Fees
Accounting$4,980$5,220–$240–5%
Consultant – Marketing$5,000$—+$5,000New
Consultant – Interior Design$3,820$2,190+$1,630+74%
Consultant – 3D & Drafting$5,188$4,332+$856+20%
Contract Architects$—$4,040–$4,040–100%
Interns$2,640$3,440–$800–23%
Total Professional Fees$21,628$19,222+$2,406+13%
Other Expenses
State / Estimated Taxes$8,076$6,946+$1,130+16%
Travel & Entertainment$4,488$3,204+$1,284+40%
Retirement Contributions$1,872$1,372+$500+36%
Utilities$448$496–$48–10%
Loan Interest (SBA)$412$402+$10+2%
Postage & Delivery$972$32+$940+2938%
TOTAL EXPENSES$221,453$194,176+$27,277+14%
NET INCOME$164,817$74,880+$89,937+120%
Top 5 Expenses — YTD
2026 vs 2025 ($K)
20262025
Expense Mix — May 2026
$221.5K total
Payroll 56%Prof Fees 10%Rent 8%Marketing 6%Insurance 5%Other 15%
12-Month Trend
May 2025 – May 2026
IncomeExpensesNet
Total Assets
$2.64M
↑ 42% YoY
Total Liabilities
$1.69M
↑ 28% YoY
Total Equity
$952K
↑ 68% YoY
Debt-to-Equity
1.78x
vs 2.51x '25
Bank Balance
$1.06M
↑ 18% YoY
Net Income YTD
$228.6K
vs –$38.4K '25
Retainer Liability
$1.44M
↑ 33% YoY
Fixed Assets (Net)
$345K
↑ 48% YoY
AIBalance Sheet Analysis
+Total equity grew 68% YoY to $952K, driven by $228.6K YTD net income and $124K in retained earnings carry-forward. The debt-to-equity ratio improved from 2.51x to 1.78x — meaningful balance sheet de-leveraging in 12 months.
+Bank balances at $1.06M provide ~4.8 months of operating expense cover — a healthy liquidity cushion. The mix of short-term treasuries and operating accounts is well-structured.
!Customer retainers of $1.44M are the largest liability (+33% YoY). While pre-funded revenue is a strength, the delivery obligation is growing faster than revenue — service capacity should be monitored carefully.
~Related-party loans and investments total ~$712K (27% of assets). Formalising repayment schedules and obtaining signed agreements for the largest balances would reduce governance risk.
Assets
May 2026 vs May 2025
AccountMay '26May '25% Chg
Bank & Cash
Primary Checking (Main Bank)$361,480$92,340+291%
Investment Account$284,320$268,140+6%
Short-Term Treasuries$398,640$—New
Money Market (MMF)–$15,080$262,460–106%
Operating Account$4,920$4,160+18%
Total Bank$1,034,280$627,100+65%
Fixed Assets (Net)
Vehicles (3 units)$273,428$273,4280%
Computer Equipment$108,920$97,480+12%
Office Furniture & Fixtures$204,880$152,640+34%
Equipment$183,840$180,120+2%
Office Renovation$253,640$205,480+23%
Tenant Improvements$137,788$137,7880%
Less: Accumulated Depreciation–$816,600–$816,6000%
Total Fixed Assets (Net)$345,896$230,336+50%
Other Assets
Strategic Investment (8% note)$465,000$—New
Security Deposit$213,350$213,3500%
Intercompany Receivable$138,640$199,240–30%
Project Loans Extended$80,440$17,420+362%
Staff Loans Extended$22,880$28,020–18%
Other Advances$100,259$60,213+67%
Total Other Assets$1,020,569$518,243+97%
Other Current Assets
Investments (long-term)$100,000$100,0000%
Staff Receivables (net)$60,702$66,240–8%
Other Receivables$962$20,099–95%
Total Other Current$161,664$186,339–13%
TOTAL ASSETS$2,562,409$1,562,018+64%
Liabilities & Equity
May 2026 vs May 2025
AccountMay '26May '25% Chg
Credit Card
Corporate Card Balance$29,640$44,120–33%
Total Credit Card$29,640$44,120–33%
Current Liabilities
Client Retainers / Deposits$1,440,680$1,082,340+33%
Vehicle Loan (Auto Financing)$70,840$84,880–16%
SBA Loan – Principal$128,440$135,020–5%
Retirement Plan Payable$9,720$4,840+101%
Other Current Liabilities$1,800$1,8000%
Total Current Liabilities$1,651,480$1,308,880+26%
TOTAL LIABILITIES$1,681,120$1,353,000+24%
Equity
Paid-in Capital$5,850$5,8500%
Owner Distributions–$80,000–$80,0000%
Retained Earnings (b/f)$727,357$609,418+19%
Net Income – YTD$228,582–$38,400+695%
TOTAL EQUITY$881,789$496,868+77%
TOTAL LIAB. & EQUITY$2,562,909$1,849,868+39%
Liability Composition
May 2026 · $1.68M total
Retainers 86%SBA 7.6%Auto 4.2%Card 1.8%Other 0.4%
Assets vs Liabilities vs Equity
May 2026 vs 2025
20262025
Equity Build — Components
May 2026 vs 2025
20262025
Total AR
$278.4K
As of May 31
Current <30d
$109.2K
39% of total
Over 90 Days
$128.3K
46% — aged risk
Retainer Pool
$1.44M
↑ 33% YoY
AIAR & Collections Analysis
+May collection of $412.3K vs billing of $394.8K = 104% collection-to-billing ratio — the firm collected more than it billed in May, drawing down retainers. YTD collection efficiency is 98.6%.
!$128.3K in >90-day AR includes ~$43K in related-party balances (no formal repayment terms) and ~$26K on-hold projects. Actionable aged balances total ~$87K and need formal escalation letters by June 15.
~Reminders sent on May 29 for five accounts totalling ~$47K. Follow-up calls recommended before end of first week of June.
AR Aging — May 2026
$278.4K total receivables
<30d 39%30–59d 12%60–90d 2%>90d 46%
Collection vs Billing — 2026
Jan – May ($K)
CollectionBilling
Top 10 Clients — YTD Collections
Jan – May 2026 · Sample names

Immediate Action Required

  • Project Hold – A.Project B — $22.1K (>90d)
  • Project Hold – Rao Family Trust — $27.8K (>90d)
  • Liang & Huang Residence — $10.8K (>90d)
  • Sheth Family Project — $4.7K (>90d)
  • Related Party – Loan A — $38.2K (no repayment plan)
  • Related Party – Loan B — $2.6K (related party)

Reminders Sent / Follow-up Due

  • Lambert Residence — $8.0K (30–59d, sent May 29)
  • ARK Commercial — $6.1K (30–59d, sent May 29)
  • Patel & Solanki — $29.8K mixed (sent May 29)
  • Project A — $1.4K (60–90d, sent May 29)
  • Lalwani Residence — $8.4K (reminder next week)
  • Vangala Estate — $11.2K (reminder needed)
YTD Billability
73%
9,488B / 14,680 hrs
May Billability
71%
vs 78% Apr '26
US Team — May
66%
vs 74% Apr '26
INT Team — May
76%
vs 84% Apr '26
AITeam Efficiency Analysis
+International team logged 1,280 hours in May against a 1,065-hour standard — 120% attendance. Top performers: Architect C (92%), Architect D (90%), and Architect B (87%).
!Architect E: 29% May billability (44B / 180 total hrs). 45+ hours in non-billable marketing/BD. YTD at 38% — role scope needs clarification and billable targets.
~Architect A: 31% May billability, 58% attendance. 30 hrs in training suggests onboarding still active. Set June target of 50% billability as milestone check-in.
US Team Billability
YTD vs May 2026
International Team Billability
YTD vs May 2026
All Staff — YTD vs May Comparison
NameTeamYTD %May %ChangeTrend
PM Billed vs Collected — YTD May 2026
BilledCollected

🟢 Key Strengths — May 2026

  • Record net income: $164.8K (40% margin)
  • YTD revenue +44% to $1.38M
  • Total equity +68% YoY to $952K
  • Collection efficiency: 104% May, 98.6% YTD
  • Expense ratio: 82% YTD vs 105% in 2025
  • Retainer pool $1.44M — strong forward cover
  • INT team: 120% attendance, 76% billability

🔴 Risks & Watch Items

  • 46% of AR ($128K) is >90 days old
  • Architect A: 31% May billability, 58% attendance
  • Travel YTD $39.2K — ~$94K annualised run rate
  • Architect E: 29% May, 38% YTD billability
  • Professional fees YTD +34% to $146.5K
  • Health insurance YTD $46.2K (+52% YoY)
  • Related-party loans/investments ~$712K (27% of assets)

📋 June 2026 Action Items

  • Escalate all >90-day AR by June 15 — target $50K recovery
  • Formalise repayment plan for related-party loan ($38.2K)
  • Invoice top-retainer clients against existing balances
  • Set June billability floor for Architect A: 50% target
  • Draft T&E policy for Q3 board review
  • Set annual giving budget (~$6–8K cap)

📈 2026 Financial Outlook

  • At $1.38M YTD / 5 months → ~$3.31M annualised revenue
  • Net income on track for ~$549K full-year at current margins
  • $1.04M pipeline supports Q3–Q4 billings
  • $465K strategic investment carries illiquidity risk
  • SBA loan $128K — paydown pace ~$6.5K/semi-annual
  • Equity trajectory: projected ~$1.1M by Dec 2026

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