Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers, before the call.
The questions I get before a first conversation. For sector-specific questions, see the industry pages. For how engagements are structured and priced, see Engagement Models.
Common Questions
Answers before the call.
Straight answers to how a fractional CFO works, what it costs, and how to start.
What is a fractional CFO?
An experienced CFO who runs your finance function part-time, on a retainer, instead of as a full-time hire. You get operator-level strategy, forecasting, and board or investor readiness without a full-time executive salary. Best when the finance function has outgrown a controller but does not yet need, or cannot yet justify, a full-time CFO.
How is that different from our controller or bookkeeper?
A controller records what happened and closes the books. A CFO tells you what it means and what to do next... pricing, margin, cash, capital, and whether you are ready to raise or sell. Different altitude, different job. Most of my clients keep their controller and add me above it.
How is it different from a management consultant?
A consultant delivers a recommendation and leaves. I sit in the seat, own the numbers, and run the finance function until it holds on its own. I am accountable for the result, not just the slide deck.
What does it cost and how do you charge?
Fixed fees, scoped to the work. A set fee for the Pulse Check diagnostic, a monthly fee for a retainer, and a project fee for something like exit preparation. I quote before you commit. I do not charge transaction-based or success fees, and I am not a broker-dealer.
How long is a typical engagement?
It varies with the need. Some clients run a single 30-day diagnostic, some retain me through a defined stretch such as a raise or a sale, and some stay on for ongoing strategic finance. There is no long lock-in to start.
Do you work remotely or on-site?
Both. I am based in Gilbert, Arizona and work with companies nationally, remote by default with on-site presence when the work calls for it.
What size and type of company do you work with?
Founder-led and PE-backed companies where a transaction, a raise, or an exit is on the table, or where the finance function has simply outgrown a controller. I focus on healthcare, PBM, technology, insurance, and professional services.
Do you raise capital or make investor introductions?
No. I am a fractional CFO advisor, not a broker-dealer. I get your finance function and your numbers ready for a raise or a sale, but I do not solicit capital, sell securities, or make paid introductions.
How do we start?
Almost everyone starts with the Pulse Check, a 30-day fixed-fee diagnostic that gives you a prioritized read on cash, margin, and reporting maturity. From there we decide on a retainer or a defined project, with information rather than a pitch.
Next Step
Still have a question?
The fastest way to an answer is a short conversation, or the fixed-fee Pulse Check if you would rather start with a structured read.