How to Make Your P&L Work for You – Not Just Your Accountant

Written By Charlotte

Most recruitment business owners I speak to are relying on P&Ls that were designed for accountants, not for decision-makers.

Here’s what most owners aren’t told: Your P&L isn’t set in stone. It’s a tool - and you get to decide how it’s built.

While Companies House requires a set format for statutory reporting, your internal accounts are your playground. And yet, many recruitment leaders are stuck with P&Ls that are hard to interpret and slow to deliver insight.

If you can’t understand your P&L at a glance, you’re flying blind.

A Better Way to View Your Numbers

Over the last 20 years, I’ve helped recruitment CEOs simplify their management accounts into a format that gives clarity and control. Here’s a structure that works consistently well:

  • Separate Contractor NFI and Permanent Fees – know exactly where your revenue’s coming from.

  • Review data in 3-month blocks – helps you spot trends without getting lost in the weeds.

  • Group overheads logically – this reduces clutter and makes it easier to manage cost categories.

  • Call out Margin % and Operating Profit % clearly – these should be front and centre, not buried.

This isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about giving you the insight you need to make better, faster decisions.


Management Accounts Are for You

Your P&L is a tool, not a report. It should be built around the insight you need, not what your accountant wants to file.

Want to compare performance across revenue streams? Spot changes in your margin? Understand profitability over time? Your P&L should answer those questions quickly and clearly.

If it doesn’t, it’s time for a rethink.

Ready to Make Finance a Growth Driver?

If this post has struck a chord, you’ll want to take a look at our Finance Training Course for Recruitment Leaders. It’s designed to give you the clarity, confidence, and financial toolkit you need to scale with control.

Paul Glynn
Founder, Aristar Consulting

Charlotte