The Real Cost of Bad Data in Your Practice

Matt Hickerty is the Reporting Analyst at Cleinman, an optometry-focused business consultancy that helps independent practices improve performance, plan for growth, and navigate transitions. A University of Lethbridge graduate with a Bachelor of Management, Matt analyzes financial and operational data to uncover trends, clarify key metrics, and help practice owners make informed decisions. His work also supports practice valuations by giving buyers a clear, reliable picture of business performance. ## In this episode… Data is only useful when it’s accurate, consistent, and easy to understand. When the numbers are messy, owners can miss problems, opportunities, and warning signs. So what does bad data actually cost an optometry practice? According to Matt Hickerty, a reporting analyst with a background in quantitative and qualitative analysis, the answer starts with the decisions owners make from numbers they may not fully trust. Clean data can reveal where revenue is coming from, where expenses are climbing, which locations or providers are performing well, and where “leaky buckets” may be hurting profitability. Matt recommends reviewing financials regularly, organizing the chart of accounts clearly, and comparing key performance indicators over time rather than waiting until a sale is approaching. Reliable data also reduces uncertainty for potential buyers, which can strengthen confidence in the business and support a better practice valuation. In this episode of the *Cleinman Connect Podcast*, Kim Carson talks with Matt Hickerty, Reporting Analyst at Cleinman, about the real cost of bad data in your practice. Matt explains how clean data improves decisions, exposes missed profit opportunities, and strengthens valuation. He also covers financial organization, buyer trust, and why owners should start cleaning up their numbers now.