The Strategic Partner: Essential Skills for a Fractional CFO
The Strategic Partner: Essential Skills for a Fractional CFO
When it comes to hiring a fractional CFO for your business, it's important to do your due diligence and find someone who can truly provide value to your organization. As Chris from fresh FP&A points out, not all fractional CFOs are created equal - some may focus more on bookkeeping and accounting, while others specialize in tax compliance or strategic planning.
So what should you look for when hiring a fractional CFO? According to Chris, the first thing to consider is whether you're getting a true strategic partner or just a controller with CFO add-on services. A good fractional CFO should be focused on providing strategic outlook and all the strategies and tactics that go along with strategically leading a finance organization.
The second thing to consider is the specific pain points your business is facing. Are you struggling with employee payroll or lacking future visibility into your organization? Or do you need help with accounting and transactions? Once you identify your specific needs, you can look for a fractional CFO who has the necessary skills and expertise to address those pain points.
Finally, it's important to do your due diligence and thoroughly research any fractional CFO you're considering working with. Look for someone with a proven track record of success and experience in the finance industry. Ideally, they should have experience as VPs of finance or CFOs, and should be able to provide references from past clients who can vouch for their skills and expertise.
At fresh FP&A, they specialize in providing strategic CFO services to businesses, and have an extensive network of accounting partners they can work with to handle any bookkeeping or accounting needs their clients may have. They encourage all business owners to take the time to do their due diligence when hiring a fractional CFO, and to look for someone who can truly provide value and help them strategically grow their business.