by Rob Joseph, Director, BeaconCFO Plus
Bringing High-Level Financial Expertise to Your Company
Perhaps your business has never operated with a full-time CFO. Or, maybe you had a full-time CFO who has now left the organization and you’re wondering what to do next. The concept of a fractional CFO may seem unusual to you and you’re seeking more information about what to expect if you take a step toward outsourcing your CFO needs.
A fractional CFO is, for all intents and purposes, a CFO. The primary difference is that a fractional CFO is usually brought on in a part-time, or project-based, capacity. You may need a CFO to fill in the gap until you can hire another full-time executive. You may also choose to work with a fractional CFO to gain some strategic decision-making support as you approach a big transition or the next phase of your business growth. Choosing to work with an outsourced CFO company is often the most cost-effective decision: You gain the high-level financial expertise without having to pay for hiring and employing a full-time CFO. It’s also important to state that a fractional CFO is not a consultant—fractional CFOs perform all of the duties and responsibilities of a CFO.
Fractional CFOs are often experienced and seasoned professionals, having worked for years in many different business sectors. They have a deep understanding of financial management and strategy and can provide guidance for many aspects of your business: budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, reporting, decision-making, and more.
What else should you expect when you hire a fractional CFO?
Improved Financial Management
If you are having trouble getting out your financial statements timely, we can help. Most fractional CFOs have the ability to suggest ways to correct bottlenecks, inefficiencies and opportunities for error that can slow down reporting. We can offer ways to streamline workflows and put in place stronger processes that serve all levels of your organization. With your approval, they will implement effective controls for your business and make your operations more efficient.
Flexibility and Stability
At BeaconCFO Plus, our fractional CFO services are tailored to the needs of your organization. Whether you need a CFO for the duration of a long-term project, to fill a temporary role, or on an ongoing basis to provide financial support, we can scale our services to meet your needs. If things change over time, we can adjust.
An Objective and Independent Perspective
Bringing in a fractional CFO gives you an external viewpoint to your company’s finances and the financial health of your organization. We can offer recommendations that are unbiased and particularly valuable during periods of change or growth.
Access to More Resources
Because fractional CFOs have been in the business for so long, they have an extensive professional network. That means more connections and relationships that can be leveraged to benefit your company, from making an introduction to financial opportunities.
A Smooth Transition
If you will be hiring a full-time CFO, our fractional CFOs can make the transition as seamless as possible, ensuring business continuity and minimal disruption to your operations. They can also support you in documenting new processes and training your team members.
Speak to a Fractional CFO
Does a fractional CFO sound like a good solution for your business? Reach out to the BeaconCFO Plus team to schedule a consultation and learn more about our outsourced CFO services.