Quality of finance assessment

Assessing finance maturity and risk to drive finance transformation

Deal scrutiny is rising while timelines compress. Buyers need confidence in the quality of a seller’s finance function now, not deeper diligence later.

RSM’s quality of finance assessment uses a structured model to evaluate the sophistication and effectiveness of an organization's finance function, identifying strengths and weaknesses. It helps set a baseline for current performance, benchmark against industry standards, identify opportunities for automation and position the business for better growth, risk management and decision making.

The assessment typically reviews several dimensions to gain a holistic view of finance operations:

Processes: The efficiency and standardization of core tasks like financial close, reporting and operational finance
Technology: The use of systems, automation and data integration to store and analyze data and automate functions
Skills and relationships: The determination of whether the team has the necessary skills and cross-functional connections to act as a strategic business partner
Strategy and position: The valuation of finance within the business and its ability to drive alignment and provide foresight through planning and analysis

The assessment offers the following insights:

Risk identification based on the review of diligence documentation, focused discovery sessions and the review of external market reports
Risk analysis using quantitative methods to evaluate the likelihood and severity of various types of risk
Operational maturity determination through review of the functional capabilities of finance’s operations, technology and structure

The assessment provides the following benefits:

Early signals for deal decisions, not just maturity determination
Artificial intelligence-based evidence trails
Actionable insights for diligence and execution timing

The assessment is not:

A replacement for a quality of earnings audit or full operational diligence
A full transformation roadmap
A compliance or regulatory opinion

The assessment delivers the following outcomes:

Earlier confidence in financial readiness
Informed investment committee and letter of intent decisions
Clear post-close priorities
Fewer late-stage surprises
Accelerated finance and business transformations

Frequently asked questions

: An assessment is needed during periods of business change, financial pressure or increased stakeholder scrutiny. Common triggers include transactions, restructuring, cash flow or margin challenges, reporting or control issues, system transformations, and leadership changes. Organizations also use it ahead of key decisions such as budgeting, capital events or board reviews to gain early confidence in financial readiness and risk exposure.

Technology and software
Private equity portfolios focused on technology, media and telecommunications
Industrials
Life sciences

: Finance maturity is commonly described as spanning five stages, from basic to leading. Early stages rely on manual processes and informal controls, while middle stages introduce standardized processes and consistent metrics. Advanced stages are data‑driven and proactive, with finance acting as a strategic partner and leveraging automation and AI for real‑time insight and adaptability.

: The assessment uses a structured framework that evaluates both capability and risk across the finance function. This typically includes maturity staging (from basic to leading) and the use of a risk lens such as the four P’s framework (predict, prevent, prepare and protect) to identify gaps, assess readiness and prioritize actions.

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RSM Canada LLP is a limited liability partnership that provides public accounting services and is the Canadian member firm of RSM International, a global network of independent assurance, tax and consulting firms. RSM Canada Consulting LP is a limited partnership that provides consulting services and is an affiliate of RSM US LLP, a member firm of RSM International. The member firms of RSM International collaborate to provide services to global clients but are separate and distinct legal entities that cannot obligate each other. Each member firm is responsible only for its own acts and omissions, and not those of any other party. Visit rsmcanada.com/about for more information regarding RSM Canada and RSM International.

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