What Our Clients Actually Say
We've worked with businesses across Australia to help them make sense of their financial statements. Here's what stood out to them—both the wins and the honest feedback.
These reviews come from real engagements between 2023 and early 2025. We've kept them unedited because authenticity matters more than perfection.
Direct Feedback From Business Owners
We asked clients what actually helped them. Some mentioned specific reports, others talked about the process itself. All of them had something valuable to share about working with noralithven.
I'd been staring at our quarterly statements for weeks before reaching out. The profitability analysis wasn't just number-crunching—it showed me where we were actually losing margin. Turned out our pricing structure hadn't kept pace with cost increases since 2022. That one insight changed our entire approach heading into 2025.
What I appreciated most was the honesty. When they reviewed our cash flow projections, they didn't sugarcoat the seasonal challenges we'd face in Q3. Instead, they mapped out three different scenarios based on our historical patterns. We ended up preparing for the middle scenario and were glad we did.
The ratio analysis caught something our accountant missed—our inventory turnover had been declining steadily since mid-2023. Not dramatically, but enough to tie up working capital we could've used elsewhere. Sometimes you need someone outside your business to spot the patterns you're too close to see.
Real Engagements, Actual Outcomes
These aren't success stories with perfect endings. They're projects where we worked through messy data, unclear objectives, and changing priorities. What mattered was getting to something useful—analysis that actually informed decisions rather than just filled filing cabinets.
Regional Distributor Review
A distributor expanding across regional NSW needed to understand their cost structure before opening a third location. Their previous analysis lumped everything into broad categories. We broke down costs by location, product line, and even delivery route. Took three weeks longer than planned because their data systems didn't talk to each other, but we got there.
Project Timeline
September to November 2024
Key Finding
Location-specific cost variations averaging 17%
Service Business Profitability Audit
An IT services firm thought they knew which clients were profitable. They didn't—not when you factored in actual time spent versus billed hours. We built a model that tracked profitability at the project level. Some of their biggest accounts were barely breaking even once you included all the unbilled support work.
Analysis Period
18 months historical data reviewed
Outcome
Renegotiated terms with four major clients
Manufacturing Efficiency Analysis
This one was requested by a manufacturing operation dealing with rising material costs. Rather than just comparing year-over-year expenses, we looked at cost per unit produced and identified timing patterns in their purchasing. Their seasonal buying wasn't aligned with their production schedule—fixing that timing improved working capital position without changing suppliers.
Focus Area
Material cost optimization and timing
Timeline
January to March 2025
Why Clients Keep Coming Back
It's not about flashy presentations or complex jargon. Most businesses return because we helped them understand something they couldn't figure out on their own—and we did it without making them feel lost in the process.
What Sets Us Apart
- No templated reports—every analysis addresses your specific questions
- Direct communication without layers of account managers
- Honest about data limitations and analysis constraints
- Focus on actionable findings over comprehensive documentation
- Follow-up discussions included to clarify any confusing aspects
- Experience across retail, manufacturing, and service businesses
We Explain, Not Just Report
Financial statements can be confusing even when you understand accounting basics. We spend time making sure you actually grasp what the numbers mean for your specific situation. If something doesn't make sense during our review, we'll break it down until it does.
Industry Context Matters
A good current ratio for a retailer looks different than one for a manufacturer. We compare your metrics against relevant benchmarks for your industry and size—not generic standards that might not apply. Context changes interpretation completely.
Local Knowledge, Real Experience
Based in Canberra but working with businesses across ACT and surrounding regions since 2019. We understand the challenges of operating in regional Australia—from seasonal cash flow patterns to the realities of finding good suppliers outside major metro areas.
Realistic Timelines
Most analyses take two to four weeks depending on data quality and scope. We'll tell you upfront if your timeline isn't realistic or if we need additional information before starting. Better to set proper expectations than promise something we can't deliver.
Ready to Get Clear on Your Numbers?
If you're struggling to interpret financial statements or want a second opinion on your business performance, reach out. We'll start with a straightforward conversation about what you're trying to understand—no commitment required.
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