You’ve successfully turned your craft into a thriving business!!

Remember when it was just you, a beat-up truck, and a toolbox held together by duct tape?

Now, you’ve got 50, 100, maybe even 300 employees.

And—brace yourself—you’ve become “management.”

Gone are the days of spending every hour on the job site. These days, you spend more time reviewing cash flow, budgeting, taxes, and growth strategies.

Which brings us to at least one question keeping you up at night: Do you really need a CFO? How about a Fractional CFO?

A Fractional What?

If you’re immediately picturing a polished Wall Street type marching into your shop in expensive shoes, holding spreadsheets thicker than your drywall, pause. Let us introduce you to a different option – the fractional CFO. Think of them as a part-time CFO who steps in to help handle the financial complexities of your business, without the full-time executive salary (or fancy shoes).

A good fractional CFO acts like your business’s financial GPS. They analyze your company’s numbers, forecast where you’re headed, and help navigate any detours or roadblocks ahead. They help you gain clarity, so decisions about growth, investment, or succession planning aren’t shots in the dark.

But When Do I Actually Need One?

Great question. Many business owners operate for years without dedicated financial leadership. But there comes a tipping point—usually when EBITDA reaches around $1 million to $5 million—when financial complexity starts outweighing your capacity (and frankly, your patience).

Here are signs you might be there:

You’re constantly misunderstanding your cash flow.

Forecasting means looking at last year’s numbers, shrugging, and adding 10%.

Your CPA calls, and you instinctively reach for Tylenol.

You’re considering selling your business or passing it on to your kids, but your books look messier than your shop floor after a big job.

If any of these sound familiar, a fractional CFO might just be your new best friend.

Why Trust a Fractional CFO?

We know—handing financial reins to someone else feels daunting. You’ve built this business through years of sweat equity. Why trust someone new?

A fractional CFO doesn’t just crunch numbers. They’re partners committed to your success. Good fractional CFOs listen first, translate financial jargon into plain English, and care about your business (though nobody will ever match your dedication—we know).

What Exactly Does A Fractional CFO Do?

Here’s what a fractional CFO actually tackles:

Forecasting and Planning: They provide clear, actionable insights. No more guessing games. You get solid projections to support your decisions.

Tax Efficiency: Hate paying more taxes than necessary? So does a good CFO. They structure your finances to keep you compliant but ensure you’re not paying unnecessary dollars.

Clean, Clear Financials: Thinking about eventually selling or handing the business down? Messy books scare away buyers (and irritate your kids). A fractional CFO ensures financial records are audit-ready, making your business attractive and easy to value.

A Quick Example:

Meet “Mike” (not his real name, but he probably sounds familiar). Mike owned a successful HVAC company generating about $3 million in adjusted EBITDA. But his accounting was chaos. He knew retirement was nearing, but potential buyers kept backing off after seeing his books – claiming operational shortcomings or rich valuations.

Enter a fractional CFO. Within six months, Mike’s books were clean, his tax situation optimized, and his forecasts clear. When Mike finally sold, his business attracted multiple offers, fetching more than he’d anticipated. Not bad for someone who once swore he’d never trust a “numbers guy.”

Bottom Line:

A fractional CFO isn’t another suit telling you how to run your business – most of them don’t even wear suits anymore! They’re a practical investment – who wears a wintertime vest and summertime shorts – that turns financial confusion into clarity, optimizes your profits, and positions you confidently for the future.

So, next time you’re staring at spreadsheets and feel your eyes glazing over, remember—there’s a better way.

Join us on Wednesday April 9th at Triple C’s Barrel Room from 4:30 – 6:00pm to as Greg Brown (owner of Cardinal Finance) walks us through what to expect from a fractional CFO and tells success stories of how using a fractional CFO has improved businesses he has worked with.

Or join the streaming video with Greg at the same time from the comfort of your home.