finance riskchart of accountsdata migrationquickbooksxero
Complete evaluation framework
What to assess and how to score it
Review the evidence signals before interviewing. Then use the anchored descriptions—not instinct alone—to choose the score that best matches each answer.
01
Evaluation factor
Technical command
35% weight
Check command of double entry mechanics during conversion: chart of accounts mapping, opening balance journals, AR/AP aging detail, VAT or sales tax history, and QuickBooks Desktop to Xero or QBO toolsets.
Evidence to listen for
Commands the instruments, models, or reporting standards the role turns on
Can build the analysis rather than only interpret someone else's
Knows the assumptions inside a model and which ones actually drive the answer
Fluent in the frameworks and disclosure regimes that apply
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Cannot explain the instruments or standards they claim to work with.
2
Needs Improvement
Interprets others' analysis but cannot build or defend it.
3
Satisfactory
Solid working command; thin on unfamiliar structures or standards.
4
Very Good
Builds the analysis and knows which assumptions actually move the answer.
5
Excellent
Explains trial balance tie-out at cutover date, names conversion tools used, and knows which historical data simply cannot carry across.
02
Evaluation factor
Deals and deliverables that closed
25% weight
Probe completed migrations: number of client files moved, ledger size, multi-currency or inventory complexity, cutover dates hit, and post-migration reconciliation sign-off from the client accountant.
Evidence to listen for
Names transactions, filings, or reports they worked, with size, counterparties, and their own scope
Distinguishes their contribution from the deal team's
Knows what happened afterwards, including what underperformed
Can describe one that fell over and why
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
No completed work; describes process rather than outcomes.
2
Needs Improvement
Involved in transactions but cannot state their own scope.
3
Satisfactory
Real deliverables with adequate ownership; outcomes described loosely.
4
Very Good
Named transactions or filings with clear personal scope and honest post-mortems.
5
Excellent
Cites specific migrations with file volumes, close timelines, and evidence that balances reconciled to the prior system to the penny.
03
Evaluation factor
Risk judgement
25% weight
Assess how they handle dirty data: unreconciled bank feeds, duplicate suppliers, negative inventory, prior-period adjustments, and when they advise a fresh start over a full historical conversion.
Evidence to listen for
Distinguishes a modelled risk from a real one
States confidence and what would change their view
Comfortable disagreeing with a number that suits everybody
Knows the limits of the data behind a projection, especially over long horizons
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Treats model output as truth; no sense of data limits.
2
Needs Improvement
Reports numbers without qualifying them; avoids unwelcome conclusions.
3
Satisfactory
Reasonable judgement; qualifies findings when prompted.
4
Very Good
States confidence unprompted and will hold an unpopular position on evidence.
5
Excellent
Flags data integrity problems before cutover, quantifies the variance risk, and escalates rather than quietly posting a suspense account balance.
04
Evaluation factor
Explaining it to decision-makers
15% weight
Test client-facing explanation: walking a bookkeeper or owner through what changed, why reports look different, training on the new system, and documenting the migration handover.
Evidence to listen for
Explains a technical position to an investment committee, board, or regulator so they can act on it
Writes to the standard the audience is held to
Handles challenge without either caving or digging in
Works across legal, operations, and external counterparties
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Cannot communicate beyond technical peers.
2
Needs Improvement
Explanations lose the audience or oversimplify to the point of error.
3
Satisfactory
Adequate with familiar audiences; less effective under challenge.
4
Very Good
Explains clearly to committees and regulators and holds up under challenge.
5
Excellent
Translates ledger changes into plain terms for non-accountants and leaves written mapping documentation the client can audit later.
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