Quarterly business review template for accountants and their clients

Team Nomi

Oct 23, 2026
7 minutes read

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A quarterly business review (QBR) helps accountants and clients review financial performance, assess business goals and plan the next three months. It gives both parties an opportunity to discuss cash flow, profitability, budgets, tax obligations and potential risks before they become bigger problems.

For accounting practices, a structured QBR also creates opportunities to discuss client needs, identify additional support requirements and strengthen long-term relationships.

A good quarterly business review template should include financial results, key performance indicators (KPIs), budget comparisons, cash flow forecasts, outstanding issues and agreed actions. 

Accountants can use this information to explain what the numbers mean and help clients make informed business decisions.

What is a quarterly business review (QBR)?

A quarterly business review is a structured meeting that takes place every quarter to assess business performance, review progress against targets and agree on future priorities.

For accountants and their clients, a QBR focuses on the financial health of the business. It helps clients understand their financial position, identify problems and decide what they need to change in the next quarter.

Unlike a routine bookkeeping meeting, a QBR connects financial data with business goals. Accountants explain changes in revenue, expenses, profit and cash flow, while clients share their challenges, plans and expectations.

Quarterly business review template for accountants and clients

Use this quarterly business review (QBR) template to assess your client’s financial performance, review business goals and plan priorities for the next quarter. Adapt the sections to suit each client’s business, reporting needs and circumstances.

1. Meeting details

• • Client or business name
  • Reporting period
  • Meeting date
  • Accountant responsible
  • Client attendees
  • Main objectives for the meeting

2. Financial performance review

Compare the client’s financial results with the previous quarter and budget to identify changes in revenue, costs, profitability and cash balances.

Consider below financial metric:

• • Revenue
  • Operating expenses
  • Gross profit
  • Net profit
  • Cash balance
  • Outstanding customer invoices

Record the main findings, explain significant changes and highlight areas that need attention.

3. Cash flow and working capital

Review the client’s cash position and identify any issues that could affect the business’s ability to meet its financial commitments.

• • Cash inflows and outflows: Summarise money received and payments made during the quarter.
  • Overdue customer invoices: Identify unpaid invoices and discuss collection actions.
  • Upcoming supplier payments: Review payments due and their potential impact on cash flow.
  • Expected cash shortages or surpluses: Discuss the cash flow forecast and any potential funding needs.
  • Recommended actions: Agree on steps to improve cash flow and working capital.

4. Budget and Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Review

Use relevant KPIs to measure progress against the client’s business targets. Explain significant differences between expected and actual results.

Consider the following KPI’s:

• • Revenue growth
  • Gross profit margin
  • Operating costs
  • Debtor collection period

5. Tax and Compliance Review

Check upcoming tax deadlines, outstanding obligations and any information the client needs to provide.

• • Upcoming tax deadlines: Review relevant filing and payment dates.
  • VAT and payroll obligations: Check applicable submissions and payments.
  • Outstanding submissions or payments: Identify overdue or incomplete obligations.
  • Records or documents required from the client: List any missing information needed for accounting or tax work.
  • Compliance issues requiring attention: Record potential issues and agree on the steps needed to address them.

6. Business Risks and Growth Opportunities

Discuss issues that could affect the client’s financial position and identify opportunities to improve business performance.

• • Main financial or operational risks: Identify issues such as falling revenue, rising costs or late customer payments.
  • Potential cost savings: Review expenses and identify areas where the business could reduce unnecessary spending.
  • Business growth opportunities: Discuss opportunities to increase revenue, improve margins or enter new markets.
  • Accountant’s recommendations: Present practical suggestions based on the financial results.
  • Decisions required from the client: Record the decisions needed to move forward.

7. Goals and Action Plan for the Next Quarter

Record the actions agreed during the meeting. Assign responsibility and deadlines so both parties can track progress.

8. Meeting Summary and Follow-Up

Summarise the key decisions and outstanding tasks before closing the meeting.

• • Key decisions: Summarise the decisions made during the review.
  • Outstanding questions: Record issues that need further discussion.
  • Documents required: Confirm which records or supporting documents the client must provide.
  • Next review date: Agree on a date for the next quarterly meeting.
  • Additional support required: Identify any further accounting, tax or business support the client needs.

How to prepare for a quarterly business Review

Accountants can follow these steps to make each QBR productive.

1. 1. Gather financial data: Collect the latest management accounts, profit and loss reports, balance sheet, cash flow information and relevant budgets.
   2. Compare quarterly results: Identify significant changes from the previous quarter and budget.
   3. Review previous actions: Check which commitments the accountant and client completed, missed or postponed.
   4. Prepare key questions: Identify financial issues, risks and decisions that need discussion.
   5. Share the agenda in advance: Give the client enough time to review the figures and prepare questions.
   6. Record decisions and actions: Document the agreed next steps during the meeting and share the summary afterwards.

For complex client relationships, starting preparations several weeks before the meeting, sending supporting information in advance and distributing the agreed action plan within two business days.

Note: This blog is for informational purposes only. The quarterly business review template and recommendations are for general guidance and should be adapted to each client’s business needs and circumstances. Always check the latest HMRC guidance for applicable tax and compliance requirements.

Conclusion

A quarterly business review template gives accountants and clients a clear structure for discussing financial performance, cash flow, business risks and future goals. It helps accountants explain financial results in practical terms and gives clients a clearer view of the decisions they need to make.

To get the most from each QBR, prepare the relevant financial information in advance, focus on the issues that matter to the client and document every agreed action. Review those actions at the next meeting to measure progress and maintain accountability. With a consistent approach, accountants can make quarterly meetings more useful, strengthen client relationships and support better-informed business decisions.

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of a quarterly business review?

Ans: A QBR helps accountants and clients review financial performance, identify risks, assess business goals and agree on priorities for the next quarter.

How long should a quarterly business review take?

Ans: Most QBRs take 60-90 minutes. The duration depends on the client’s business complexity, financial performance and the number of decisions required.

Which financial reports should accountants prepare for a QBR?

Ans: Accountants may prepare management accounts, profit and loss reports, balance sheets, cash flow forecasts, budget comparisons and relevant KPI reports.

How often should accountants conduct client business reviews?

Ans: Accountants can conduct QBRs every three months, with shorter monthly check-ins when clients need more frequent financial monitoring.

Can accountants use the same QBR template for every client?

Ans: Yes, accountants can use a standard structure, but they should adapt the metrics, compliance checks and discussion points to each client’s business and reporting needs.