At TaxTaker, partnership is the foundation of our company – we love bringing good people together. Since one of our highest requests for referrals are fractional CFOs, and because they are one of our favorite partners, we wanted to share some of our highly recommended fractional CFOs and what makes them special. After interviewing internal people and an outside accountant who reviewed the books every six months, we recommended that they terminate the current controller and we helped to hire the new one. Most companies need a CFO to handle responsibilities that go beyond what a bookkeeper or even a controller does.

Agreements with small to mid-sized companies typically fall between $5,000 and $7,000 a month. Again, depending on the region, an average pay might be around $100 an hour. There is no need to worry about contracts or how they will impact your business. When hiring a fractional CFO, you need to be familiar with the characteristics of good CFOs to choose the right person.

When does a company need a fractional CFO?

You may also need someone to help put the right structure, processes, and financial discipline in place to achieve goals that will boost the company’s appeal to potential buyers. If we must use the term “fractional CFO”, we think of it as a way to get exactly what your company needs at a fraction of the cost of having a full-time CFO. As a CFO, you’re at the helm, steering your company toward financial stability. Below, we dive into five effective cost-reduction strategies to help you reduce costs and keep the cash rolling in.👇🏼…

The year-end closing procedure is time-consuming and sometimes brings unpleasant surprises. Particularly in times of economic downturn and short staffing, year-end… The philosophy of “What got you here won’t get you where you want to go” is ever-present in business once past the initial start-up phase. Businesses launch additional products, open new territories, open additional locations, transact in new currencies, and deal with increasing regulatory requirements. A fractional CFO will use proven tools, methods, and processes that will leverage existing vendor relationships to deliver value to an increased customer base. An employee walks off the job, and there is a sudden scramble in the office.

Why Your Startup Pitch Needs Sensitivity Analysis

Read on for everything you need to know about these services and tips to help you determine if hiring a fractional CFO is right for your business. For example, the current economic state has businesses tightening their budgets. Without advice from a CFO with startup experience, founders may be unable to fully prepare for this kind of change. For example, CFOs use cash flow projections to help founders understand how much money is coming in and out of the business and where it is coming from.

• This type of schedule gives you the freedom to prioritize what matters most in your life.
• Ultimately, hiring a CFO vs Controller is about finding the right candidate for your company’s specific needs.
• Fractional Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), also known as virtual CFOs, are becoming more popular for businesses to use.
• Outsourcing a CFO on a fractional basis allows startups to add an experienced CFO to their team without breaking the budget.
• This finance expert can weigh-in on important business decisions and deliver value by tracking key metrics and always looking forward.
• The CFO position needs to be filled by someone who is a great fit, so don’t settle for someone who is a decent fit.

A fractional CFO offers the knowledge and expertise of a high-end CFO at a portion of the cost. Outsourcing a CFO on a fractional basis allows startups to add an experienced CFO to their team without breaking the budget. To properly manage your law firm bookkeeping business’s financial health and growth, you should expect these seven critical capabilities from your accounting team. The same idea applies to hiring a firm that provides outsourced CFO services and can offer a fully outsourced finance team.

Complex Budget Allocation Decision-making

In such cases, an interim CFO is like an extra pair of eyes and arms that are there to guide and assist you through various processes, including the due-diligence phase when the company is being sold. By providing their valuable insight, they help the company owners and executives make more informed decisions that will increase the overall profitability of the company. Once you have a fractional CFO on your startup’s team, you can rest easy and let your startup’s CFO do the worrying when it comes to finances.

The typical hourly rate for a Fractional CFO is between $80 and $150 per hour. CFOs outside the US, in countries with a lower cost-of-living, might charge as little as $30 per hour. On the other hand, CFOs who are incredibly experienced and efficient can charge up to $500 per hour. Here, we break down everything you need to know about fractional CFOs, the benefits and drawbacks of enlisting one, and some common scenarios that might demand their expertise. However, new challenges are part and parcel of the growth process, and you will need as many tools as possible to help you overcome hurdles as you scale.

#2 You Want to Build Efficient Accounting Systems

Running a business means monitoring all the numbers for accuracy and compliance.. A fractional CFO clarifies complicated financial data and constructs different types of financial projections based on the data. Board members, particularly in a venture or PE funded company, hold a lot of sway on decisions and future paths.

They provide the experience, tools, and resources you need to reach your goals while ensuring the numbers are in order — without breaking the bank. CFOs focus on financial operations, management, and strategic planning to aid founders in decision-making. At many companies, a CFO is a full-time, salaried employee, working solely on advising one business. These professionals are especially indispensable when your business is facing challenges.

Ask for an estimate of hours per project, task, and monthly responsibility they will handle.

Many entrepreneurs fail in their first attempts at fundraising because they are poorly prepared. If a company is aiming to raise capital or preparing for a sale, merger, or acquisition, an outsourced CFO can get your books in order, analyze contracts, and assist with strategic relationships. This insiders’ CFO hiring guide, put together by the nation’s leading CFO search consultants, details the issues that can arise when hiring a CFO.

• Fractional CFOs are also helpful in scaling a business, ensuring profitable growth as the business becomes more complex.
• But the level of financial expertise in your company does not have to be an all-or-nothing situation.
• In the latter case, this may be a monthly engagement that continues over many years.
• The rollercoaster ride of COVID-19 has been difficult not only for businesses but employees as well.
• Next Round CFO are our local neighbors in Austin, TX, offering tech-forward, white glove service to Seed and Series A Software-as-a Service (SaaS) companies to help optimize cash flow and accelerate growth.
• Board members, particularly in a venture or PE funded company, hold a lot of sway on decisions and future paths.