A business owner called us last month. Revenue had crossed $2 million. He had a solid bookkeeper. His taxes were handled. But he kept making decisions based on gut feel instead of data, and it was starting to cost him.
"I think I need a CFO," he said. "But I cannot afford a $200,000 salary."
He was right on both counts. And that is exactly the problem a fractional CFO solves.
What a Fractional CFO Actually Does
A fractional CFO provides executive-level financial leadership on a part-time basis. You get the strategic thinking, financial modeling, and data-driven decision-making of a CFO without the full-time price tag.
Think of it this way. Your bookkeeper keeps score. A fractional CFO helps you change the score.
Five Signs You Are Ready
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1. You Are Guessing Instead of Knowing
"I think we can afford it" is a fundamentally different statement from "Our projections show we can absorb this cost while maintaining a 15% margin and 60 days of operating cash." If you are still in "I think" territory on big decisions, you need more financial depth.#
2. You Want to Raise Capital
Whether it is a bank loan, SBA financing, or investor capital, the people with the money expect sophisticated financial documentation. Projections, cash flow models, sensitivity analyses. This is CFO territory.#
3. Growth Is Creating Complexity
One location is manageable. Two locations with different revenue profiles, separate cost structures, and shared overhead? That requires someone who can see the financial big picture and guide strategic decisions.#
4. You Are Planning Something Big
Acquisitions, exits, expansion into new markets, major capital expenditures. These moves require financial modeling and scenario analysis that goes well beyond day-to-day accounting.#
5. You Lose Sleep Over Cash Flow
If you regularly worry about making payroll or timing large payments, you do not have a cash problem. You have a visibility problem. A CFO builds the forecasting systems that eliminate financial surprises.What It Costs
Fractional CFO services typically run between $2,000 and $6,000 per month. Compare that to a full-time CFO at $150,000-$250,000 per year plus benefits. For businesses in the $1-20 million revenue range, the fractional model delivers the same strategic value at a fraction of the investment.
How It Works With Our Bookkeeping
When we handle both your bookkeeping and CFO services, the integration is seamless. Your financial data flows directly into strategic analysis without delays, miscommunication, or redundant work. That tight integration is one of the biggest advantages of working with a single firm.
Is It Time?
If you recognized your business in any of the signs above, the answer is probably yes. And the cost of waiting is usually higher than the cost of starting.