Armik Aghakhani, CPA, Managing Partner of Chartered International LLP, has released a free resource designed to help everyday individuals pause, assess, and organize key areas of their financial and personal records in just 15 minutes. The new checklist, titled "The 15-Minute Personal Self-Check," is a simple, plain-language guide intended to help people identify gaps, overlooked details, and areas that may need attention before small issues grow into larger problems. "I've always believed that if you do the right thing long enough, the business will follow," Aghakhani says. "This checklist is about slowing down and being intentional."
Aghakhani's approach to clarity and preparation extends beyond his professional work. Over the years, he has applied the same mindset to his charitable involvement, supporting organizations focused on faith, education, youth development, and children with autism. Through his involvement with the First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena (PazNaz) and the Armenian Christian Outreach of PazNaz (ACOP), Aghakhani helped support initiatives that brought communities together while addressing real needs. One such initiative, "Race for a Cause," raised funds, fostered unity, and supported inclusive programs for children with autism. "When things feel complex, you have to slow down and be thorough," Aghakhani explains. "That applies to community work just as much as anything else."
Many individuals underestimate the cost of disorganization and inattention. Industry data and real-world experience show: Individuals can incur $2,500–$5,000 in cumulative costs from errors, delays, and corrections. Over 60% of people rely on incomplete or scattered records. Nearly 1 in 3 individuals only identify issues after receiving a notice or inquiry. Fixing problems later often takes three to five times longer than addressing them early. "My job is to help people think clearly," Aghakhani says. "Sometimes clarity starts with asking the right questions."
Aghakhani's charitable efforts have included direct support for the creation of the first-ever sensory classroom for children with autism at a local Armenian school, providing a safe and inclusive learning environment for families who previously lacked access to such resources. That long-term thinking shaped the checklist itself. Rather than offering advice or predictions, the guide helps users identify what they know, what they don't, and what may need follow-up. "Integrity isn't a slogan," Aghakhani notes. "It's how you act when no one is watching."
The checklist is designed to fit easily into daily life: Set aside 15 uninterrupted minutes. Open or print the checklist. Answer each question with yes, no, or unsure. Highlight anything that feels unclear or incomplete. Save the checklist for future reference or annual review. "You don't need to solve everything today," Aghakhani says. "You just need to see things clearly." Based on patterns Aghakhani has seen over decades of work, the checklist addresses common issues such as: Assuming last year's situation still applies. Storing important documents across too many platforms. Avoiding areas that feel confusing or uncomfortable. Waiting until a problem becomes urgent. "I don't need to be loud," he says. "I just need to be right."
The 15-Minute Personal Self-Check is available now at no cost. Readers are encouraged to: Complete it in one sitting. Revisit it annually or after major life changes. Use it as a personal reference point for organization and awareness. "At the end of the day," Aghakhani says, "this is about trust. If you protect that, everything else follows."
