A month-end review is a personal record of the figures and changes you want to track. It can make the next review easier when dates, sources and calculation methods are consistent. A short period's movement does not establish the suitability of an investment or predict its future result.
What to record
Record the reporting period, currency, opening and closing values and any contributions or withdrawals needed to interpret the change. If you enter a benchmark, identify it and check whether its period, currency and method are comparable.
A practical example
A balance increase after a new contribution is not automatically an investment return. Keep the cash movement visible and use the official statement or a checked calculation when describing performance. A question such as 'Does this figure include fees?' belongs in the review until verified.
Build and check your own record
- Gather the relevant original records and note their dates. Decide what this summary is for and who, if anyone, needs to receive it.
- Open the tool and use minimal, non-sensitive descriptions. Enter only figures you can explain, mark estimates clearly and leave missing information as unknown.
- Compare the preview with the sources. Check units, dates and totals, and correct any misleading label before exporting. A generated layout does not verify the inputs.
Keep the original documents
Store the summary securely and review it when its source information changes. Keep important decisions, official notices and professional recommendations in their original records. Ask a qualified professional about suitability, tax treatment or legal effect where needed.