May newsletter: Why management accounts aren’t enough — and what Spot On clients do differently

At Spot On Business Planning, we spend a lot of time with clients reviewing management accounts. They’re essential for understanding where your practice stands financially — but here’s the truth: they’re not the end goal. They’re just the starting point.

The real question is: what are you doing with that insight?

This is where so many practice owners get stuck. When we ask, “What’s the next goal for the business?” we often hear things like, “I’m not sure what the strategy is,” or “I’m not sure what else we need to do.” Sound familiar?

That’s why we return, time and again, to one of the most powerful tools in our toolkit: the 90-day goal. Short, focused, and achievable — these quarterly goals are how we help clients stop reacting and start leading.

In this edition, we’re also sharing some important updates and upcoming opportunities:

1. An in-person event with SOBP, Dental Practice Sale and AMG Wealth for dentists planning their exit
2. The return of Spot On Business Mastery
3. BDA courses you won’t want to miss
4. The launch of Dental Practice Sale’s new website

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Management accounts are not the end goal

When we ask clients what they want to achieve over the next quarter, many say, “I don’t know the strategy,” or “I’m not sure what else we need to do.”

This isn’t unusual — in fact, it’s exactly why hundreds of practice owners and principal dentists work with us. Because clarity doesn’t come from just looking at your numbers. It comes from using those numbers to decide what really matters next.

At Spot On, we always say: management accounts are not the end goal — they’re the starting point. They give you the facts about where your practice stands financially. But their true value lies in what you do with that insight.

That’s where the 90-day goal comes in.

Instead of getting lost in the big picture or weighed down by a never-ending to-do list, we break things down into clear, achievable priorities for the next quarter. We focus on what must be done to move the business forward — not what could be done.

That might mean:

• Increasing profitability by tightening inefficiencies
• Improving chair occupancy and optimising the appointment book
• Reducing reliance on you as the owner
• Fixing a costly operational bottleneck
• Strengthening your leadership capability
• Or creating a plan for associate performance and accountability

No two practices are the same, which is why your 90-day goal is tailored to where you are right now —and where you want to go next.

If you're an existing SOBP client and want to discuss your 90 day goals, contact your Business Analyst. If you're a practice owner or principal dentist and want to know more about 90-day goals and our approach, book a free Zoom consultation with Andy McDougall.

Ready to lead with confidence?

The start of the Spot On Business Mastery 12-month leadership programme is fast approaching. Ifyou're still on the fence about joining, ask yourself:

• Are you constantly overwhelmed and exhausted as the driving force behind your business?
• Do you dream of stepping back from your practice without seeing profits take a hit?
• Are you and your practice manager struggling to lead your team with clarity and confidence?
• Do you find it difficult to turn strategy into action?

If you answered yes to any of these, this programme could be the turning point.

Spot On Business Mastery is designed for ambitious dental professionals who want more control, stronger leadership, and a clear path to personal and professional freedom. It’s not just about better business performance — it’s about building the life you set out to create.

Don’t miss your chance —book your place today and lead your practice with purpose. The deadline is Friday, 6th June.

Get in touch with Vikki Harper, Marketing and Operations Manager (vikki@spoton-businessplanning.co.uk)

Join industry experts & learn how to plan your successful exit at this free live event!

Enjoy an opportunity to join Andy McDougall & Anne-Marie Houston in person at a free event in Surrey in July for dentists keen to maximise their exit value and gain tips for a smoother sale.

Spot On Business Planning is joining Dental Practice Sale and AMG Wealth on Thursday, July 10 for the informative live event to help dentists plan their successful exit.

The three companies will address key areas of concern to practice owners leading up to a sale, the sale process itself and post-sale aspects.

One of our strategic partners, Dental Practice Sale, is a specialist dental broker with an expansive national network of contacts and a team whose pedigree encompasses some of the UK’s most important, prestigious and noteworthy dental business transactions. Collectively the team has decades of experience in valuing, buying and selling dental practices and utilises its vast knowledge to offer the best all-round service.

AMG Wealth is a chartered financial planning practice that delivers high calibre intergenerational financial planning advice. It develops close working relationships with clients to provide investment planning based on your personal priorities, such as keeping a good standard of living in retirement or protecting wealth for future generations.

• Learn how to maximise your exit value - what are the drivers?
• Understand the benefits of structuring your business ready for exit
• Determine the best point to exit
• Hear a personal account from a DPS client & practice seller
• Gain insights on the state of the market today
• Consider where your practice sits with the different buyers in the market
• Uncover the details in deal structures
• Be informed about the valuation process & how you can influence it
• Be aware of options pre sale such as EOT, Pre Sale Trusts, significant share holder exemption
• Transition into the next phase of life (if retirement, what you will do, having winter hobbies etc)
• Ensure you run out of life before running out of money (cash forecasting) 
• Protect the estate for now and future generations
• Complimentary drinks and buffet from 6.30pm

The event at Brooklands Hotel in Weybridge starts at 6.30pm with drinks and includes a buffet.

Click here to reserve your space: https://www.dentalpracticesale.co.uk/events/evant-2?hsLang=en-gb

Have you booked your place on our BDA courses?

We have two upcoming BDA courses with Andy McDougall and Anne-Marie Houston. Make sure you book your place to avoid missing out.

1. Business Essentials: What every practice owner needs to know  | September 12^th & October 10^th

Designed specifically for dental practice owners and their managers, this two-day course is designed to give youthe tools, strategies, and confidence to improve your practice’s profitability and performance — without the fluff.

Day one: Master your numbers (Sept 12^th)

• Understand your balance sheet clearly by lunchtime—no financial background required
• Identify where your profit is leaking and how to fix it
• Learn how pricing, cost management, and efficiency tweaks drive huge financial gains.

Day two: Real-world practice transformation (Oct 10^th)

• Work hands-on with ‘Demo Dental’—a simulated struggling practice designed to reflect real-world challenges.
• Step-by-step, we’ll show you how to transform financial chaos into clarity.
• Implement strategic pricing adjustments, associate productivity tweaks, and smarter marketing strategies to turn a struggling practice into a thriving business.

Book now: https://www.bda.org/learning/courses-and-events/business-essentials-sep-and-oct-2025/

2. ‍Setting up in practice

This workshop is a great opportunity for you to gain invaluable support and insider information from expert speakers, including Andy and Anne-Marie, on how to set out on your own for the first time. It will help you figure out which type of practice is right for you and get valuable advice on how to finance the purchase.

In their session they will cover:

• What moneylenders want to know and what they will want to see.
• The fundamental commercial considerations.
• Understanding the opportunity, competition and local demographic.
• Cashflow: considerations of what to invest in and when.
• Project management and planning: the key milestones.
• Recruitment: getting the right people on board.
• KPIs and ensuring you’re hitting the all-important targets underpinning your plan.

This workshop is tailored for associates and first-time owners who want to launch a squat practice with confidence and clarity.

Book now: https://www.bda.org/learning/courses-and-events/setting-up-a-dental-practice/

Dental Practice Sale have launched their new website

Dental Practice Sale (DPS) are thrilled to announce the launch of their brand-new website, designed to make selling your dental practice easier, faster, and more profitable than ever before. As specialists in dental practice sales, DPS understand that making the right decisions requires access to expert advice, market insights, and the right buyers. Their new platform provides all this and more at your fingertips.

What’s new on their website?

• Streamlined navigation – Easily access essential resources, guides, and insights.
• Exclusive market updates– Stay ahead with the latest trends in the dental sector.
• Simple consultation booking – Connect with their experts in just a few clicks.
• Real success stories – Read how they’ve helped dentists achieve seamless and rewarding sales.
• Comprehensive seller guides – Gain valuable knowledge on every stage of the selling process.
• Buyer matching services– They help connect you with serious, pre-qualified buyers who are actively seeking practices like yours.

Visit the DPS website: https://www.dentalpracticesale.co.uk

Stay connected with SOBP on social media

Did you know we’re active on social media? Our channels are the perfect way to stay updated, inspired, and informed about the latest developments in dentistry, industry trends, and expert advice tailored just for you.

By following us, you’ll get access to:

• Tips and insights to help grow and optimise your practice.
• Webinar and event updates, so you never miss out on valuable learning opportunities.
• Success stories and testimonials from clients just like you.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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