Client intake scorecard for CAM review
A client intake scorecard helps a CFO firm decide whether a CAM review belongs in close support, advisory scope, or a separate project. Use it before staff spend time on a file with missing leases, weak economics, or unclear client authority.
This resource is for fractional CFOs, controllers, CPA firms, and advisory partners that serve commercial tenants under their own brand. The client owns the lease obligation. The firm owns the review process. For this Intake scorecard, CAMAudit can help organize source files and support paths, while the partner checks the math, source cites, client facts, and final wording.
The intake scorecard shows client and locations, documents received, and deadline risk in one review path. It also keeps decision authority and recommended scope visible, so staff do not turn open work into a client conclusion.
Where this fits in CFO work
The intake scorecard belongs near the close binder, forecast file, or advisory workpaper set. It should not live in a sales folder or a loose email chain. The finance team needs one place to see the lease rule, the landlord charge, the accounting entry, and the client decision.
For a fractional CFO, the risk is moving from client and locations to client advice too quickly. The answer should wait until documents received, deadline risk, and open support are checked. The Intake scorecard gives the firm a calm way to show what the file supports today.
Intake scorecard
Use this artifact as the working file for the review.
| Field | Current value | Source | Owner | Review note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| client and locations | ||||
| documents received | ||||
| deadline risk | ||||
| billing size | ||||
| support quality | ||||
| decision authority | ||||
| recommended scope |
Keep the worksheet plain. If support quality is not final, label it "open." If decision authority needs follow-up, name the owner. If recommended scope affects what the client hears, leave the wording for partner review. Clear labels protect the firm better than polished wording.
Evidence packet
The packet should let another reviewer rebuild the same conclusion from the file. For this article, that means:
- Source support for client and locations and documents received is saved with the review file.
- The worksheet ties deadline risk to the lease, statement, AP detail, or GL detail.
- Billing size has a named owner instead of an inbox note.
- Support quality is marked final, open, or partner review pending.
- The file shows who owns decision authority and what support is still missing.
- The partner signoff note explains how recommended scope will be described to the client.
Missing support for documents received or deadline risk is not proof of an error. It is a review condition. Keep it visible until the partner decides whether to request backup, change the finance note, pause the work, or move the issue into a separate client discussion.
Review rules
Use rules before anyone writes client language. They keep the work from turning into a guess.
- Do not move client and locations forward without a source.
- Keep documents received separate from deadline risk when the accounting treatment differs.
- Mark support quality as open when support is missing or stale.
- Send any client-facing statement about recommended scope to partner review first.
The preparer should not be the only reviewer. A second person should check the source path behind client and locations, the support for deadline risk, and the wording tied to recommended scope. In partner-led work, that reviewer is usually the engagement partner, fractional CFO, CPA, or controller who owns the client relationship.
Owner handoff
The controller owns the accounting support for deadline risk and billing size. The fractional CFO owns the client decision tied to support quality. The partner owns scope, lease-based conclusions, and final language about recommended scope.
Use a short handoff note:
Prepared by: [name]
Client and location: [client, location]
Period reviewed: [period]
Artifact: intake scorecard
Support reviewed: lease, amendments, reconciliation, AP detail, GL detail, backup
Open items: [support gaps or lease questions]
Decision needed: [book, reserve, request support, client call, counsel review]
Partner review: required before client delivery
The note does not need legal language. It needs enough detail for the reviewer to see the current client and locations, the open support quality, and the decision tied to recommended scope.
Client-facing note
Use a short note that states the work performed and the limit of the current file.
We reviewed the intake scorecard against the lease file, AP detail, GL detail, and landlord support available today.
The worksheet shows the current status for client and locations, documents received, and deadline risk.
Items marked open need landlord backup or partner review before the firm treats them as final.
This is finance review support. It is not a recovery claim.
If the partner later finds a supported issue, write that finding in a separate review packet. Keep the Intake scorecard factual. Tie any finding to the source cite and calculation.
Common errors to avoid
Do not let client and locations become a catch-all field. Do not call support quality an overcharge when the file only shows missing backup. Do not send landlord wording about recommended scope before the partner has reviewed the lease. Do not let a close deadline erase an audit-rights deadline.
The client gets advice from the firm. The firm uses its process, judgment, and review standards. CAMAudit supports the work behind the scenes, while the partner controls scope, communication, and final signoff.
Partner QC gate
The reviewer should answer these questions before the packet moves forward:
| Review question | Yes or no | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Does client and locations tie to source support? | ||
| Are documents received and deadline risk shown separately? | ||
| Is support quality final, open, or partner review pending? | ||
| Has the partner reviewed client wording about recommended scope? | ||
| Is the client-facing note factual and source-based? |
This QC step matters because Intake scorecard work blends accounting, lease language, and client relationship judgment. The partner should be comfortable signing the final packet before the client sees it.
CAMAudit support role
CAMAudit can organize the lease, statement, AP, GL, and support trail behind the intake scorecard. The partner still reviews the source cites, calculations, client context, and final wording. CAMAudit is the branded engine behind the review packet, not a replacement for professional judgment.
Internal links to use next
Use how annual CAM true-ups hit the books for accounting context.
Use why occupancy cost is not just rent when a client needs a plain explanation of occupancy cost.
Use the document collection checklist before you start the review.
Use the findings quality check before anything goes to the client.
Use the client presentation guide when the partner is ready to review and sign.