FAQs
Fractional CFO Services FAQ
Clear Answers on Cost, Services, and When You Need One
Who this is for: Founders and CEOs between $1M and $10M in revenue experiencing financial complexity, cash flow pressure, or growth decisions that require more than bookkeeping.
Quick Navigation
What is a Fractional CFO?
The FLOOR Framework
Cost & ROI
Financial Systems & Strategy
Working Together
Getting Started
What is a Fractional CFO?
What is a fractional CFO and what do they do?
A fractional CFO is a part-time Chief Financial Officer who provides strategic financial leadership for $5,000-$15,000/month—60-80% less than a full-time CFO. They typically work 10-20 hours monthly on cash flow forecasting, financial modeling, KPI tracking, and growth strategy for businesses earning $1M-$20M in revenue.
A fractional CFO focuses on forward-looking strategy, not just reporting.
Key responsibilities:
Financial forecasting and scenario planning (modeling "what if" decisions before you make them)
Cash flow management (13-week forecasts that show exactly when cash gets tight)
KPI dashboards and performance tracking (real-time visibility into what matters)
Pricing and margin analysis (knowing which products/services are actually profitable)
Fundraising and exit preparation (investor-ready financials and projections)
Strategic decision support (hiring models, expansion analysis, growth planning)
Best fit: Businesses that need CFO-level guidance but can't justify $200K+ for a full-time executive.
See if you're ready for a fractional CFO - Free Assessment
What is the difference between a fractional CFO, accountant, and bookkeeper?
A bookkeeper records transactions, an accountant ensures compliance and prepares financial statements, and a fractional CFO uses that data to guide future decisions and strategy.
Role Focus Timeframe Example Bookkeeper Transaction recording Backward-looking Records $50K invoice, categorizes expenses Accountant/CPA Compliance & reporting Historical Prepares P&L, files taxes, ensures accuracy Fractional CFO Strategy & decisions Forward-looking Models whether you can afford to hire 3 people next quarter
Simple analogy:
Bookkeeper = Rearview mirror (what happened last week)
Accountant = Odometer (total distance traveled, compliance checkpoints)
Fractional CFO = GPS + weather radar (where you're going, what obstacles are ahead)
Real example: Revenue is up 20% but cash is tight. Your bookkeeper records the transactions. Your accountant reports it on your P&L. Your fractional CFO diagnoses why (accounts receivable stretched from 30 to 60 days) and builds a collections process to fix it.
Most growing businesses need all three working together.
How is a fractional CFO different from a full-time CFO?
Fractional CFOs provide the same strategic expertise as full-time CFOs but work part-time at 60-80% lower cost, making them ideal for businesses earning $1M-$20M in revenue.
Dimension Fractional CFO Full-Time CFO Annual Cost $60K-$180K $200K-$350K+ Monthly Cost $5K-$15K $20K-$30K+ Hours/Month 10-20 hours 160+ hours Best For $1M-$20M revenue $20M+ revenue Flexibility Scale up/down as needed Fixed commitment Expertise Broad (multiple industries) Deep (your specific business) Availability Scheduled + ad-hoc support Always available Time to Value 30 days 90-180 days Engagement Month-to-month or project Salaried employee
The sweet spot: Businesses between $1M-$10M get better value from a fractional CFO because they need strategic guidance 10-15 hours per month, not daily operational oversight.
When to switch to full-time: When you're consistently using 30+ hours per month and have $20M+ in revenue to support the fully loaded cost.
How many hours does a fractional CFO work per month?
Fractional CFOs typically work 10-20 hours per month, with time allocation based on business complexity and strategic needs.
Typical breakdown:
Weekly touchpoints (4-6 hours/month):
KPI review and trend analysis (30 minutes)
Quick decision support calls (30-60 minutes)
Email/Slack questions answered ad-hoc
Monthly deep work (4-8 hours/month):
Financial performance review and variance analysis (90 minutes)
Cash flow forecast updates (60 minutes)
Strategic decision modeling (2-4 hours)
Quarterly planning (4-6 hours/quarter):
Strategic planning sessions
Scenario modeling for major decisions
Board or investor presentations
Ad-hoc projects as needed:
Financial model builds
Fundraising preparation
System implementation
Total: Most clients use 12-16 hours per month with flexibility to scale up during busy periods (fundraising, rapid growth) or scale down during stable phases.
What is the CFO Gap?
The CFO Gap is the revenue range ($1M-$10M) where businesses need strategic financial leadership but can't afford a $250K+ full-time CFO.
At this stage:
You have financial data but no clear strategy to act on it
Decisions feel risky because you lack reliable forecasting
Your accountant reports what happened, but no one tells you what to do next
You're spending 5-10 hours per week trying to understand your numbers yourself
Growth creates stress instead of clarity because you don't know if you can afford it
The impact: 72% of CEOs in this range report decision fatigue from financial uncertainty. Every hiring decision, pricing change, or expansion idea feels like a gamble because you lack the financial modeling to evaluate options confidently.
How fractional CFOs fill the gap: They provide CFO-level strategic guidance for $5K-$8K/month—giving you financial clarity and decision support without the full-time cost.
If you're making $2M+ in revenue and still making major decisions based on gut feel, you're in the CFO Gap.
Take the 2-minute CFO Readiness Assessment
Can a fractional CFO work remotely?
Yes. Fractional CFOs can work effectively 100% remotely using video calls, shared accounting software access, and cloud-based collaboration tools.
How it works:
Weekly/monthly calls: Zoom or Google Meet for strategy sessions
Financial system access: Read-only access to QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, etc.
Collaboration: Google Sheets, Slack, email for ongoing communication
Document sharing: Cloud-based financial models, reports, and dashboards
Most common structure: Remote for weekly/monthly work with optional in-person quarterly strategic sessions.
For Tampa/Florida businesses: Lunch Money CFO is based in Tampa and serves clients throughout Central Florida (Tampa Bay, Orlando, Jacksonville). We're happy to meet on-site for strategic planning when it adds value, but most work happens remotely for efficiency.
For national clients: We work with businesses across the United States 100% remotely with no loss of effectiveness.
The advantage: You get strategic financial leadership without geographic limitations or commute overhead.
Virtual CFO vs fractional CFO—what's the difference?
There's no functional difference—"virtual CFO" and "fractional CFO" refer to the same service: part-time strategic financial leadership provided remotely.
Why two names?
"Fractional" emphasizes the part-time nature (a fraction of a full-time role)
"Virtual" emphasizes the remote delivery method
Both provide:
Strategic financial planning and forecasting
Cash flow management
KPI tracking and dashboards
Growth decision modeling
Part-time engagement at fractional cost
Search note: People use both terms interchangeably. If you're searching for "virtual CFO near me" or "fractional CFO in Tampa," you're looking for the same service.
At Lunch Money CFO, we use "fractional CFO" because it more accurately describes the value: CFO-level expertise at a fraction of the cost, delivered flexibly (remote or hybrid).
What credentials should a fractional CFO have?
A qualified fractional CFO should have proven experience building financial systems, managing cash flow, and supporting business growth—credentials matter less than track record.
Look for:
Experience over certifications:
10+ years in strategic finance roles
Track record with businesses in your revenue range ($1M-$20M)
Experience in your industry or similar business model
Proven results (fundraising success, exit preparation, growth scaling)
Relevant certifications (optional but valuable):
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) - Shows accounting rigor
CMA (Certified Management Accountant) - Focuses on financial planning
MBA with finance focus - Strategic business perspective
Practical skills that matter more:
Financial modeling expertise (building scenarios, forecasting)
Industry knowledge (understanding your business model's economics)
System implementation (setting up reporting, dashboards, processes)
Communication ability (explaining complex finance in plain English)
Red flags:
No experience with businesses your size
Can't provide client references
Focuses only on historical reporting, not forward planning
Unclear track record or vague about past results
Nicholas Youmans, Lunch Money CFO: 15+ years financial leadership experience, CPA, worked with $1M-$20M businesses across professional services, SaaS, contractors, and product companies.
Schedule discovery call to discuss qualifications
The FLOOR Framework
What is the FLOOR framework for financial health?
The FLOOR framework is how we assess and improve a company's financial foundation across five core areas: Financial clarity, Liquidity discipline, Operating systems, Ownership structure, and Risk visibility.
F.L.O.O.R. Framework:
F — Financial Clarity Reliable numbers you can trust for decision-making
What it means: You can answer "What's our gross margin by product line?" or "What did we spend on labor last month?" in under 5 minutes with confidence the numbers are right.
Common issues: Chart of accounts with 60+ categories, month-end taking 7+ days, numbers that change every time you ask
L — Liquidity Discipline Clear visibility into cash flow and runway
What it means: You have a 13-week cash flow forecast that updates weekly, know your cash conversion cycle, and maintain 2-3 months of operating expenses in reserves.
Common issues: Payroll week creates anxiety, cash "surprises" every quarter, no visibility beyond 30 days
O — Operating Systems Repeatable financial processes that don't require heroics
What it means: Month-end close happens predictably in 3-5 business days, reports generate automatically, one person being sick doesn't break your financial operations.
Common issues: Manual data exports, tribal knowledge, processes that only one person understands
O — Ownership Structure Clean separation between owner and business
What it means: Personal and business finances are completely separate, owner compensation is formal and tracked, books are audit-ready.
Common issues: Personal expenses in business accounts, distributions that look like "consulting fees," blurred lines between personal and business assets
R — Risk Visibility Understanding what could break as you scale
What it means: You've modeled what happens if revenue drops 15%, you know which customers/products are most critical, you understand your operational capacity limits.
Common issues: No scenario planning, unclear on key business drivers, reactive decision-making
This is how businesses raise their floor—so growth doesn't create instability.
How do you assess Financial Clarity (the F in FLOOR)?
We assess Financial Clarity by checking if your books are structured for decision-making, not just compliance—meaning you can answer strategic questions in minutes, not days.
Key tests:
1. Chart of Accounts Structure
✓ 15-25 meaningful categories (not 60+ granular line items)
✓ Organized by decision usefulness (can you see labor vs materials easily?)
✓ Consistent categorization (same expense types don't bounce between categories)
2. Data Quality
✓ Books reconcile monthly without exceptions
✓ Numbers match bank statements
✓ No mysterious "miscellaneous" category carrying 10%+ of expenses
3. Decision Speed Can you answer these in under 5 minutes?
What's our gross margin by product/service line?
What did we spend on labor last month?
Which customers are most profitable?
What's our cash burn rate?
If these questions take hours or require "Let me get back to you," your financial clarity needs work.
How we fix it:
Redesign chart of accounts for strategic clarity
Clean up historical categorization errors
Implement monthly reconciliation discipline
Build dashboards that answer key questions automatically
Goal: Decisions based on data, not guesswork.
What does Liquidity Discipline (the L in FLOOR) actually mean?
Liquidity Discipline means you always know your cash position for the next 13 weeks and maintain reserves to handle normal business volatility without panic.
Three core components:
1. 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast
Updates weekly (not monthly)
Shows exactly when cash gets tight
Accounts for A/R timing, A/P schedules, seasonal patterns
Enables proactive decisions before cash crunches
2. Cash Conversion Cycle Awareness How long it takes $1 of investment to come back as cash:
Days to collect payment (A/R)
Days to turn inventory (if applicable)
Days to pay vendors (A/P)
Example: If you pay vendors in 15 days but collect from customers in 60 days, you have a 45-day cash gap to fund.
3. Strategic Cash Reserves
Target: 2-3 months of operating expenses
Prevents emergency borrowing at bad rates
Enables opportunistic decisions (bulk purchase discounts, hiring when you find A-player)
Transforms existential questions into strategic ones
Without liquidity discipline: Every decision is "Can we afford this?" with no clear answer.
With liquidity discipline: You know exactly what you can afford and when cash gets tight so you can plan accordingly.
What Operating Systems (the first O in FLOOR) do growing businesses need?
Operating Systems are the repeatable processes that make your financial operations run predictably without relying on individual heroics.
Essential systems for $1M-$10M businesses:
1. Monthly Close Process
Target: Complete in 3-5 business days
Standardized checklist (reconciliations, journal entries, variance analysis)
Doesn't require one person working overtime to finish
2. Automated Data Flows
Accounting software connects to bank accounts (auto-import transactions)
CRM or billing system syncs to accounting (no manual invoice entry)
Payroll provider integrates automatically
Expense management system (no more spreadsheet uploads)
3. Reporting Infrastructure
Monthly financial package generates automatically
KPI dashboards update in real-time
Custom reports don't require rebuilding from scratch every month
4. Documentation and SOPs
Month-end close checklist anyone can follow
Chart of accounts guidelines (where to categorize gray areas)
Vendor payment processes
Client billing and collections workflows
Why this matters: When systems depend on one person's tribal knowledge, you have a single point of failure. When that person gets sick, quits, or goes on vacation, your financial operations break.
Goal: Financial operations that run predictably whether you're watching them or not.
Why does Ownership Structure (the second O in FLOOR) matter?
Ownership Structure matters because blurred lines between personal and business finances create tax risk, decision fog, and operational instability.
What clean ownership structure looks like:
1. Complete Financial Separation
Dedicated business bank accounts (never touched for personal expenses)
Dedicated business credit cards
Zero personal transactions in business books
2. Formal Owner Compensation
Salary/distributions tracked properly (not buried as "consulting fees")
Documented and regular (not random withdrawals)
Tax-compliant structure (S-corp reasonable compensation, K-1 distributions, etc.)
3. Audit-Ready Books
Clean enough that an external party (bank, investor, buyer) can understand your business without deciphering your personal spending
Entity structure optimized for tax efficiency
Proper documentation of owner loans and capital contributions
Common problems we fix:
❌ "Personal expenses coded as business expenses"
Impact: Tax audit risk, unclear true business profitability
❌ "Owner withdrawals with no documentation"
Impact: Can't calculate true owner earnings, problems during fundraising/sale
❌ "Business account used as personal checking"
Impact: Impossible to know real cash flow, creates decision fog
Goal: Clear line between what belongs to you personally and what belongs to the business as an independent entity.
Why it matters for growth: Investors and lenders need to see clean books. Buyers need to understand true business economics. You need to know if the business is actually profitable or if you're subsidizing it personally.
How do you improve Risk Visibility (the R in FLOOR)?
Risk Visibility means you've modeled what breaks first when conditions change—so you're prepared instead of surprised.
Key risk modeling exercises:
1. Revenue Stress Testing What happens if revenue drops 15%? 30%?
Which expenses can you cut immediately vs. which are fixed?
How long until you hit your cash reserve buffer?
Which customers/products are most critical to survival?
2. Growth Capacity Analysis What breaks first if you grow 50% in 12 months?
Hiring needs and timing
System capacity (can your accounting software handle it?)
Cash requirements to fund growth
Operational bottlenecks
3. Customer Concentration Risk
What happens if your top 3 customers leave?
Revenue impact and timeline to replace
Diversification strategy
4. Margin Sensitivity
How do gross margins change if costs increase 10%?
Which products/services have the most margin buffer?
Pricing power assessment
5. Operational Capacity
How much more can you deliver with current team?
When do you hit capacity constraints?
Cost to add capacity (hiring, systems, space)
Example output: "If revenue drops 20%, we have 4 months of runway before hitting our cash reserve floor. We'd need to cut $25K/month in expenses (marketing and one admin role) to extend that to 8 months. If we act in week 1 instead of month 3, we avoid tough decisions."
Goal: No surprises. You've already thought through the scenarios before they happen.
Cost & ROI
How much does a fractional CFO cost per month?
Fractional CFO services cost $5,000-$15,000 per month depending on business complexity and scope. Most businesses earning $1M-$10M in revenue pay $5,000-$8,000/month for 10-15 hours of strategic financial leadership.
Lunch Money CFO Pricing:
First Month: $10,000 Includes:
Complete financial assessment and FLOOR framework analysis
13-week cash flow forecast build
Identification of quick wins (tax strategies, pricing opportunities, cost savings)
Strategic roadmap for next 6-12 months
Unlimited meetings and email/message support during month 1
Ongoing Monthly Retainer: $5,000-$15,000 Typical engagement: $5,000-$8,000/month Based on:
Business revenue and complexity
Number of entities/locations
Frequency of strategic decisions
Reporting requirements
Project-Based Work: $2,500-$25,000 Examples:
Financial model build: $2.5K-$15K
Due diligence preparation: $12K-$25K
System implementation: $10K-$20K
Hourly Consulting: Available For specific questions or short-term advisory
Comparison to full-time CFO:
Full-time CFO: $200K-$350K salary + 25% benefits = $250K-$437K annually ($20K-$36K/month)
Fractional CFO: $60K-$180K annually ($5K-$15K/month)
Savings: 60-80% while getting strategic expertise when you need it
Most clients recoup the investment within 30 days through tax optimization, pricing corrections, and avoided costly mistakes.
Get custom pricing for your situation - Free consultation
What's included in the first month for $10,000?
The first month focuses on discovery, quick wins, and building your financial foundation—most clients see measurable improvements within 30 days.
Week 1: Financial Assessment
Complete review of current financial position using FLOOR framework
Identify data quality issues and gaps
Quick-win identification (immediate opportunities for tax savings, cost reductions, pricing improvements)
Systems and process audit
Week 2: Cash Flow & Forecasting
Build 13-week cash flow forecast (shows exactly when cash gets tight)
Analyze cash conversion cycle and working capital needs
Develop cash management strategy and reserve targets
Identify liquidity risks and opportunities
Week 3: Strategic Planning
Create 6-12 month financial roadmap aligned with business goals
Model key decisions you're facing (hiring, expansion, pricing changes)
Establish KPI tracking framework (the 5-7 metrics that actually matter)
Competitive positioning analysis (where you stand vs. industry benchmarks)
Week 4: Implementation & Systems
Recommend financial infrastructure improvements
Set up ongoing reporting cadence and dashboards
Implement quick-win strategies identified in week 1
Document processes and train team on new systems
Throughout Month 1:
4-6 meetings (typically 2-3 hours total per week)
Unlimited email/Slack support for questions
Direct access to your fractional CFO (response within 24 hours)
Review and approval of major financial decisions
Typical first-month outcomes: ✓ $15K-$50K tax savings identified ✓ 13-week cash forecast showing upcoming cash needs ✓ Pricing corrections worth 5-10% revenue increase ✓ Clear financial dashboard tracking key metrics ✓ Strategic roadmap for next 6-12 months
You won't wait months to see value. Most clients have tangible improvements and a clear financial roadmap within 30 days.
Start your first month - Schedule discovery call
What is the ROI of hiring a fractional CFO?
Most businesses see 2-3× ROI within the first 30-90 days through improved cash flow, better pricing, and faster decision-making—plus significant long-term value from strategic guidance.
First 30-90 Day Returns (Typical):
Tax Optimization: $15K-$50K Annual Savings
S-corp election for pass-through entities
R&D tax credits for qualifying businesses
Cost segregation studies for real estate
Retirement plan optimization (solo 401k, SEP IRA, defined benefit plans)
Accelerated depreciation strategies
Pricing Corrections: 8-12% Revenue Increase
Identifying underpriced services (often 15-25% below market)
Eliminating unprofitable product lines that were margin-killers
Implementing value-based pricing instead of cost-plus
Strategic price increases with customer retention plans
Cash Flow Improvements:
Tightening A/R collections (reducing DSO from 60 to 45 days = immediate cash injection)
Negotiating better payment terms with vendors
Optimizing inventory levels (for product businesses)
Eliminating emergency borrowing costs (credit card debt, expensive lines of credit)
Mistake Prevention:
Stopped bad hire before making offer (saved $80K+ sunk cost)
Avoided unprofitable expansion (would have burned $150K before discovering it didn't work)
Prevented cash crunch through better forecasting (avoided $30K in emergency loan interest)
Identified customer concentration risk before largest client left
Long-Term Strategic Value:
Decision Speed:
Decisions that used to take 3 months now take 3 days (opportunity cost savings)
Growth that felt 18 months away suddenly achievable in 6 months
Confident action instead of analysis paralysis
Growth Enablement:
Successful fundraising (raised $500K-$3M with investor-ready financials)
Clean exit preparation (increased sale price through normalized EBITDA analysis)
Scalable systems that support 2-3× growth without breaking
Founder Time Savings:
5-10 hours per week no longer spent analyzing spreadsheets
Energy freed up for strategic work instead of financial firefighting
Peace of mind from knowing exactly where you stand financially
Concrete Example: $5M revenue business paying $7K/month ($84K/year):
Tax savings: $25K
Pricing improvements: $250K additional revenue @ 20% margin = $50K profit
Avoided bad hire: $80K
Faster decisions: Conservatively $50K in opportunity capture
Total first-year value: $205K on $84K investment = 2.4× ROI
The biggest return isn't dollars saved—it's the ability to grow strategically instead of reactively.
Calculate your potential ROI - Schedule assessment
Are fractional CFO services worth it for a business my size?
Fractional CFO services are worth it when the cost of unclear financial decisions exceeds the $5K-$8K/month investment in strategic financial leadership.
What most founders don't count (hidden costs of NOT having a CFO):
Decision Delay Costs:
Waiting 3 months to hire because you're unsure about cash flow → Lost: $90K+ if that hire would generate $30K/month in revenue
Delaying price increase for 6 months because you're worried about churn → Lost: $100K-$300K in foregone revenue (10% increase on $2M-$5M revenue)
Missing fundraising window while you "get organized" → Lost: Months of runway burned, potentially worse terms later
Margin Erosion:
Not knowing which products/services are profitable → Continuing to sell margin-killers that feel like revenue but destroy profit
Guessing at pricing → Leaving 10-20% on the table (on $3M revenue = $300K-$600K)
No visibility into unit economics → Can't identify efficiency opportunities worth $50K-$150K annually
Stress & Time Costs:
Spending 5-10 hours per week trying to understand your numbers → Your time is worth $200-$500/hour = $52K-$260K annually
Losing sleep over cash flow uncertainty → Impacts every other decision, slows growth
Decision fatigue from financial fog → Missing opportunities, second-guessing everything
Mistake Costs:
One bad hire: $80K+ sunk cost
One unprofitable expansion attempt: $150K+ burned
Emergency borrowing when cash runs short: $10K-$30K in interest
IRS penalties from missed tax strategies: $5K-$50K
If you're making $2M+ in revenue and experiencing any of these, you're likely "paying" $100K-$300K per year in opportunity cost—far more than the $60K-$96K annual cost of a fractional CFO.
The math is simple:
Fractional CFO cost: $84K/year ($7K/month average)
Prevent one $80K bad hire: You're profitable
Capture one pricing improvement worth 8% ($160K on $2M revenue): You're 2× ROI
Add tax savings, faster decisions, and avoided mistakes: Easily 3-5× ROI
You can't afford NOT to have strategic financial leadership at this stage.
See if it makes sense for your situation - Free assessment
Do you offer payment plans or flexible billing?
Yes. We structure payment to align with your cash flow needs—monthly billing for retainers, milestone-based for projects, and custom arrangements for seasonal businesses.
Monthly Retainer: Billed monthly, cancel with 30 days notice (no long-term contracts)
Project-Based Work: Structured in milestones Example $20K project:
35% upfront ($7K) - kicks off work
35% mid-project ($7K) - upon completion of phase 1
30% upon delivery ($6K) - final deliverables and handoff
Seasonal Businesses: Quarterly payments aligned with your busy/slow seasons
Custom Arrangements:
Need to defer start until next quarter? We can structure accordingly
Prefer annual prepayment for discount? Let's discuss
Cash flow timing constraints? We'll find a structure that works
What we won't do: Require 12-month contracts upfront or demand payment for work you haven't received yet.
Our philosophy: If we're providing value, you'll want to continue. If we're not, you should be able to leave. Payment structure shouldn't trap you into a relationship that isn't working.
Discuss payment options that work for you
How long should I expect to work with a fractional CFO?
Most fractional CFO engagements last 12-36 months, with many evolving into long-term strategic partnerships that continue for years as the business grows.
Typical engagement progression:
Months 1-3: Foundation Building
Financial cleanup and FLOOR framework implementation
Quick wins captured (tax savings, pricing improvements)
Systems and processes established
Baseline metrics and dashboards created
Months 4-12: Strategic Partnership
Ongoing financial guidance for growth decisions
Quarterly planning and forecasting
Major decision modeling (hiring, expansion, fundraising)
Continuous optimization of systems and processes
Months 12-24: Scaling Support
Growth phase execution and monitoring
Increased complexity management (new products, markets, locations)
Team expansion support (when to hire controller, when to go full-time)
Exit or next funding round preparation
Beyond 24 Months: Evolution Many clients continue long-term because:
New growth phases create new financial challenges
Ongoing strategic value compounds over time
Relationship deepens and becomes more valuable
Transition planning (moving from fractional to full-time CFO when ready)
Project-Only Engagements: 4-12 Weeks If you have a specific deliverable (financial model, fundraising prep, system cleanup), projects can be standalone.
But: 80% of project clients transition to ongoing retainers because they see the value of continuous strategic support.
You're not locked in: Most retainers are month-to-month with 30 days notice. If it's not working, you can leave. But if it is working (which it usually is), you'll want to keep the partnership going.
Discuss engagement structure for your situation
Financial Systems & Strategy
What is a 13-week cash flow forecast and why does it matter?
A 13-week cash flow forecast is a rolling financial model that tracks weekly cash inflows and outflows over the next three months, helping you anticipate shortages and make proactive decisions instead of reactive ones.
How it works:
Weekly breakdown:
Cash at start of week
Expected cash IN (customer payments, deposits, other income)
Expected cash OUT (payroll, vendor payments, rent, taxes, debt service)
Cash at end of week (becomes start of next week)
Rolling updates:
Updates weekly (drops the past week, adds a new week at the end)
Always showing next 13 weeks ahead
Adjusts based on actual performance vs. forecast
Why 13 weeks specifically?
Covers a full quarter (strategic planning horizon)
Long enough to see seasonal patterns and major payments
Short enough to forecast with reasonable accuracy
Aligns with typical A/R and A/P cycles
What it tells you:
✓ Exactly when cash gets tight (week 7 shows $15K below minimum target)
✓ How much runway you have (current trajectory = 8 weeks until cash floor)
✓ Whether you can afford decisions (hiring someone next month requires $X cash buffer)
✓ When to act (if you need to line up financing, you know 6 weeks in advance)
Example scenario:
Week 1: $180K cash Week 4: $145K (big payroll + quarterly tax payment)
Week 7: $110K (getting close to $100K minimum)
Week 10: $135K (big customer payment comes in)
Week 13: $125K (back to comfortable level)
Without this forecast: Week 4 hits and you're scrambling because you didn't see the cash need coming.
With this forecast: You knew in Week 1 that Week 4 would be tight, so you either deferred a large expense, collected A/R early, or lined up a credit line—proactively, not reactively.
Most common use: "Can we afford to hire this person?" becomes a data question instead of a gut feel question.
Get your 13-week forecast built - First month deliverable
What financial metrics should founders track weekly?
Founders should track 5-7 core metrics weekly to maintain financial visibility and catch trends while they can still adjust course.
The Essential 5 (minimum weekly tracking):
1. Cash Balance
Where you are now vs. where you need to be
Target: Always know if you're above/below your minimum cash reserve
Why weekly: Cash can move fast; monthly reviews catch problems too late
2. Weekly Revenue Run Rate
This week's revenue × 52 (or × 4.33 for monthly)
Are you tracking toward monthly/quarterly targets?
Why weekly: Catches revenue slowdowns with 3-4 weeks to fix instead of discovering it at month-end
3. Gross Margin Percentage
Revenue minus direct costs (COGS) ÷ revenue
Are margins holding or eroding?
Why weekly: Spot margin pressure early (vendor price increases, discounting, mix shifts)
4. Accounts Receivable Aging
How much is outstanding and how old?
DSO trend (Days Sales Outstanding)
Why weekly: Prevents cash flow surprises; catches collection issues before they're 90+ days old
5. Burn Rate
How much cash consumed per week
Runway calculation (cash ÷ weekly burn = weeks until you hit reserve floor)
Why weekly: Know exactly how long you can sustain current operations
Additional Metrics for Specific Business Models:
SaaS/Subscription:
MRR/ARR growth
Churn rate
New bookings vs. lost customers
Professional Services:
Utilization rate (billable hours ÷ available hours)
Realization rate (billed ÷ worked hours)
Work-in-progress aging
E-commerce/Product:
Inventory turn rate
Average order value
COGS as % of revenue
Why weekly matters:
Monthly reviews catch problems 3-4 weeks too late
Weekly reviews catch trends while you can still adjust
Takes 30 minutes on Monday morning
Prevents "surprise" bad months
Most founders spend 30 minutes Monday morning reviewing these numbers. That's enough to know if you're on track or need to act.
Want this automated? We build real-time dashboards so you don't have to export spreadsheets every week.
See dashboard examples - Schedule call
How does a fractional CFO help with growth decisions?
A fractional CFO helps you grow profitably by building financial models that show what different decisions do to your cash, margins, and capacity 6-12 months out—so you choose the path that strengthens your business instead of straining it.
Concrete examples:
Hiring Decisions: Question: "Can we afford to hire 3 people next quarter?"
What we model:
Total cost: Salary + benefits + taxes + equipment = $X per month
When they start generating revenue (ramp time)
When they break even (cost covered by revenue they generate)
Cash flow impact over 12 months
What happens if revenue grows 10% vs. stays flat vs. drops 10%
Output: "You can afford 2 hires now. The 3rd hire needs to wait until Q3 when cash flow from the first 2 hires stabilizes. If you hire all 3 now, you'll be within $20K of your cash floor in month 5—too risky."
Pricing Decisions: Question: "Should we raise prices 10% or focus on volume?"
What we model:
Current: $2M revenue, 1,000 customers, $2,000 average
Scenario A: 10% price increase, lose 5% of customers = $2.09M revenue
Scenario B: Keep price, grow customers 15% = $2.3M revenue
But Scenario B requires: 2 more salespeople, more capacity, tighter cash flow
Scenario A requires: Nothing—same capacity serves fewer customers at higher margin
Output: "Price increase wins. You make more profit ($209K vs. $180K), use less capacity (950 customers vs. 1,150), and improve cash flow (higher average transaction). Volume growth looks good on paper but strains operations."
Expansion Decisions: Question: "Should we open a second location?"
What we model:
Upfront investment: Build-out, equipment, inventory = $150K
Operating costs: Rent, utilities, incremental staff = $25K/month
Revenue ramp: Realistic projection based on market size
Break-even timeline
Cash flow impact (when does location pay back initial investment?)
Sensitivity analysis (what if revenue is 30% below projection?)
Output: "Second location breaks even in month 18 if you hit projections. But if you're 20% below projections, it takes 30 months and you'll need an additional $75K in cash to fund the gap. Recommend waiting 6 months to build stronger cash reserves first, or opening a smaller location that requires $75K instead of $150K upfront."
The pattern: We don't just say "yes" or "no." We show you the numbers so YOU can make an informed decision based on your risk tolerance and strategic goals.
Goal: Decisions based on modeling, not hope.
Model your next big decision - Schedule strategy session
What financial systems should a $5M business have in place?
A $5M revenue business needs financial systems that provide reliable data, automate repetitive work, and enable decisions without requiring heroics every month-end.
Essential Systems Stack:
1. Accounting Software (Foundation)
Recommended: QuickBooks Online (up to $5M), Xero (service businesses), NetSuite ($10M+)
Must-haves: Multi-user access, bank integration, mobile app, API for third-party connections
Key features: Class/location tracking, project/job costing, automated bank feeds
2. Automated Data Flows
Bank feeds: Transactions import automatically (no manual entry)
Payment processing: Stripe/Square/PayPal auto-sync to accounting
Payroll integration: Gusto/ADP/Paychex flows to accounting without manual journals
Expense management: Expensify/Divvy/Ramp for employee expenses with auto-categorization
3. Billing & Invoicing
For services: Integrated time tracking → invoicing → accounting (e.g., Harvest, FreshBooks)
For products: Inventory management → order fulfillment → accounting (e.g., ShipStation, Cin7)
For subscriptions: Recurring billing that syncs revenue recognition (e.g., Chargebee, Stripe Billing)
4. Financial Reporting & Dashboards
Monthly financial package: P&L, balance sheet, cash flow statement (auto-generated)
KPI dashboard: Real-time visibility (Power BI, Tableau, Google Data Studio)
Cash flow forecast: 13-week rolling forecast (usually custom-built)
5. Document Management
Cloud storage: Google Drive, Dropbox, or SharePoint for financial docs
Receipt capture: Dext/Hubdoc for vendor bills and receipts
Organized by: Vendor, month, document type (makes audits and reviews easy)
6. HR & Payroll Systems
Payroll: Gusto, ADP, Paychex, Paylocity
Benefits administration: Integrated with payroll
Time tracking: For hourly employees or project-based billing
What you should NOT have at $5M:
❌ Manual spreadsheet tracking (error-prone, not scalable)
❌ Cash-basis accounting (need accrual for accurate decision-making)
❌ One person who knows "where everything is" (single point of failure)
❌ Month-end close taking 10+ days (shows broken processes)
System Integration Map: Bank → Accounting Software ← Payroll ↑ ↓ Billing Dashboard ↑ ↓ CRM Reports
Cost: Well-integrated system stack costs $500-$2,000/month depending on complexity—far cheaper than the cost of bad data or slow decisions.
We help you:
Audit current systems and identify gaps
Recommend right-sized tools (not over-engineered, not under-powered)
Implement and integrate new systems
Train team on new workflows
Get your systems assessment - Schedule call
How often should we update our financial forecast?
Your cash flow forecast should update weekly. Your revenue/expense forecast should update monthly. Your annual plan should be rolling (updated every quarter).
Forecast Update Cadence:
Weekly: 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast
Drop last week's actual results
Add new week at the end (always 13 weeks ahead)
Adjust remaining weeks based on new information
Why weekly: Cash moves fast; weekly updates catch shortages with 4-6 weeks notice
Monthly: Revenue & Expense Forecast
Update based on month-end actuals
Revise remaining months in the year
Compare forecast vs. actual and adjust assumptions
Why monthly: Enough time to see trends, frequent enough to stay accurate
Quarterly: Rolling 12-Month Plan
Drop past quarter's results
Add new quarter at the end (always 12 months ahead)
Revise annual assumptions based on performance
Why quarterly: Aligns with strategic planning cycles, keeps plan relevant
Annually: Strategic Plan (3-5 Year)
Review once per year (typically Q4 for following year planning)
Update long-term growth assumptions
Scenario planning for major initiatives
Why annually: Strategic direction doesn't change monthly
Static Annual Budgets Are Broken:
❌ Old way: Set budget in January, compare actuals to it all year
Problem: By June, assumptions are outdated but you're still measuring against January's plan
✓ Better way: Rolling forecasts that adjust based on reality
Benefit: Always operating on current assumptions, not 6-month-old guesses
Example:
January: Forecast $2M revenue for the year
June: Actually tracking $2.3M (15% ahead)
Static budget: Still measuring against $2M (misleading)
Rolling forecast: Revise to $2.3M, adjust expense plan accordingly (accurate)
How we help:
Build forecast models that update quickly (not rebuilding from scratch)
Establish update cadence and responsibility (who updates what when)
Create variance analysis templates (quickly spot what changed and why)
Train your team on how to maintain forecasts
Goal: Forecasts that inform decisions, not collect dust.
Get your forecasting framework built - First month deliverable
Working Together
What does a fractional CFO do month-to-month?
A fractional CFO provides ongoing financial oversight, strategic guidance, and decision support through regular reviews, forecasting updates, and on-demand analysis.
Typical Monthly Structure (12-16 hours):
Weekly Touchpoints (4-6 hours/month total):
30-minute KPI review call (Mondays)
→ Review cash, revenue, margins, any red flags
→ Quick decision support on time-sensitive questions
Ongoing Slack/email support (15-30 min daily)
→ "Can we afford this?" questions
→ Vendor contract reviews
→ Quick scenario modeling
Monthly Deep Dive (4-6 hours):
Financial performance review (90 minutes)
→ P&L, balance sheet, cash flow analysis
→ Variance analysis: plan vs. actual, why things changed
→ KPI dashboard review: what's trending right/wrong
Strategic planning session (90-120 minutes)
→ Upcoming decisions (hiring, pricing, investments)
→ Scenario modeling for major choices
→ Next month/quarter planning
Cash flow forecast update (60 minutes)
→ Refresh 13-week forecast
→ Update annual projection
→ Identify upcoming cash needs or opportunities
Ad-Hoc Work Throughout Month (2-4 hours):
Hiring decision modeling ("Can we afford this role?")
Contract reviews (major vendor agreements, leases)
Board/investor reporting prep
System optimization recommendations
Team training on financial processes
Quarterly Activities (additional 4-6 hours per quarter):
Quarterly business review and planning
Updated annual forecast
Strategic initiatives evaluation
Tax planning with your CPA
What you're NOT getting:
❌ Monthly report dump with no discussion
❌ Historical data regurgitation
❌ Hands-off after delivering a spreadsheet
What you ARE getting:
✓ Strategic partner embedded in your business
✓ Proactive guidance on decisions before you make them
✓ Fast answers to "Can we afford this?" questions
✓ Peace of mind from knowing exactly where you stand
Output: You make better decisions faster, with confidence instead of second-guessing.
Do you work on-site or remotely? Can you serve businesses in Tampa/Florida?
We work both remotely and on-site depending on what makes sense for your business. Based in Tampa, we serve clients throughout Central Florida and nationwide.
Remote Work (Most Common):
Weekly/monthly strategy calls via Zoom or Google Meet
Shared access to your accounting software (read-only)
Cloud-based collaboration (Google Sheets, Slack, email)
Real-time financial dashboards accessible 24/7
On-Site (When It Adds Value):
Quarterly strategic planning sessions
Annual board meetings or investor presentations
System implementation and team training
Critical planning work (exit prep, fundraising roadshow)
Florida & Tampa Bay Coverage: Lunch Money CFO is based in Tampa, Florida. We serve businesses throughout:
Tampa Bay: Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Wesley Chapel
Central Florida: Orlando, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Kissimmee
Greater Florida: Jacksonville, Gainesville, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Miami
For Florida businesses:
Easy in-person meetings when strategic sessions benefit from face time
Hybrid model: Remote for weekly/monthly work, on-site for quarterly planning
Local market knowledge and regional business networks
National Coverage: We work with clients across the United States 100% remotely with no loss of effectiveness. Many of our longest client relationships are fully remote.
Technology Setup:
Video: Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams
Accounting: QuickBooks Online, Xero, NetSuite (cloud access)
Collaboration: Slack, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365
Dashboards: Power BI, Tableau, Google Data Studio
The advantage: You get strategic financial leadership without geographic limitations or the overhead of a full-time on-site executive.
Discuss your preferred working style - Schedule call
Do you replace my accountant or bookkeeper?
No. A fractional CFO works alongside your existing financial team, using their data to provide strategic guidance and decision support—we enhance, not replace.
How the roles work together:
Your Bookkeeper:
Records transactions daily/weekly
Reconciles bank accounts
Manages A/R and A/P
Processes payroll
Fractional CFO adds: Makes sure categorization supports decision-making, systems are efficient
Your Accountant/CPA:
Prepares monthly/annual financial statements
Files tax returns
Ensures compliance
Provides tax advice
Fractional CFO adds: Works with CPA on tax planning strategy, provides projections for tax optimization
Your Fractional CFO:
Uses data from bookkeeper and accountant
Builds forecasts and financial models
Provides strategic decision support
Guides growth planning
Doesn't replace: Transaction recording, tax filing, compliance work
The Full Team:
Bookkeeper → Records data
↓
Accountant → Ensures accuracy & compliance
↓
Fractional CFO → Interprets data for strategy
↓
Founder/CEO → Makes decisions
What if you don't have a bookkeeper/accountant yet? We can help you find the right professionals and ensure they're set up to support strategic work, not just compliance.
What if your current team isn't working? We'll assess whether it's a people problem or a process problem, then either:
Train existing team to improve
Recommend replacing with better resources
Provide interim support while you transition
Goal: Everyone working together efficiently—compliance handled by accountants, transactions handled by bookkeepers, strategy handled by CFO.
Do you help with fundraising or investor relations?
Yes. We prepare financial models, investor materials, and forecasts to support fundraising, lending, or exit processes.
Fundraising Support Services:
1. Financial Modeling & Projections
Build comprehensive 3-5 year financial models
Revenue projections by customer segment, product line, channel
Expense scaling models (when to hire, systems costs, overhead)
Cash flow projections showing burn rate and funding needs
Scenario analysis (base case, upside case, downside case)
Sensitivity analysis (what if growth is 20% slower? What if CAC increases 30%?)
2. Historical Financial Cleanup
Clean up books to GAAP standards
Normalize EBITDA (remove one-time expenses, owner discretionary spending)
Prepare audit-ready financials
Document revenue recognition policies
Reconcile any discrepancies or historical errors
3. Investor Materials
Financial sections for pitch decks (clear, compelling, credible)
Detailed financial appendices for due diligence
KPI dashboards showing traction and unit economics
Cap table modeling and dilution analysis
Use of funds breakdown and milestones
4. Due Diligence Preparation
Organize data room with all financial documents
Prepare responses to common diligence questions
Create executive summaries of key financial metrics
Build financial FAQ document
Coach founders on how to present financials confidently
5. Valuation Support
Comparable company analysis
Discounted cash flow modeling
Unit economics and LTV:CAC analysis
Industry benchmark comparisons
Defensible valuation narrative
6. Lender/Bank Presentations
Credit memorandums for bank lending
Cash flow projections showing debt service coverage
Personal financial statements
Business plan financial sections
Covenant compliance tracking
Recent Examples:
Helped SaaS company raise $2M seed round with detailed cohort analysis showing strong unit economics
Prepared professional services firm for acquisition with normalized EBITDA showing true earning power (increased sale price 18%)
Secured $500K line of credit for contractor with comprehensive cash flow projections and receivables analysis
Timeline:
Financial model build: 2-4 weeks
Historical cleanup: 2-6 weeks (depends on mess level)
Full due diligence prep: 4-8 weeks
Ongoing support during fundraise: Month-to-month
Investment:
Project-based: $12K-$25K depending on complexity
Or included in monthly retainer if already working together
The difference: Investor-ready financials tell a compelling, credible story. Messy spreadsheets kill deals.
Discuss your fundraising timeline - Schedule call
How long does a typical engagement last?
Most fractional CFO engagements last 12-36 months, evolving into long-term strategic partnerships that continue through multiple growth phases.
Typical Progression:
First 3 Months: Foundation
Clean up financial operations (FLOOR framework implementation)
Build forecasting and reporting infrastructure
Capture quick wins (tax savings, pricing improvements)
Establish KPI tracking and monthly review rhythm
Months 4-12: Strategic Partnership
Ongoing financial guidance for growth decisions
Quarterly planning and scenario modeling
Major decision support (hiring, expansion, pricing)
Continuous system optimization
Months 12-24: Scaling Support
Navigate growth phase challenges
Increased complexity management (multiple products, locations, entities)
Team building support (when to hire controller, when to add finance staff)
Fundraising or exit preparation if applicable
Beyond 24 Months: Long-Term Evolution
Many clients continue because new growth phases create new challenges
Relationship deepens → more valuable over time
Transition planning (fractional → full-time CFO when appropriate)
Ongoing strategic counsel as trusted advisor
Project-Based Only: 4-12 Weeks If you have a specific deliverable:
Financial model build: 3-4 weeks
Due diligence prep: 6-8 weeks
System implementation: 8-12 weeks
But: 80% of project clients transition to ongoing retainers because they realize the value of continuous strategic support outweighs project-only engagement.
Flexibility:
Month-to-month retainers (30 days notice to adjust or end)
Scale up/down based on business needs
No long-term contracts locking you in
Why long-term works:
Strategic value compounds over time
Deeper understanding of your business → better guidance
Trust builds → more honest conversations → better decisions
Consistency reduces founder decision fatigue
When engagements end:
Business grows to $20M+ and hires full-time CFO (we help with transition)
Business sells/exits (we help prepare and celebrate)
Strategic needs change and fractional no longer fits (rare but it happens)
Average client relationship: 24+ months
Discuss timeline for your situation
What access do you need to our systems?
We need read-only access to your accounting software and relevant business systems—enough to analyze data and build models, not enough to make unauthorized changes.
Required Access:
Accounting Software (QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, etc.):
Access level: Read-only or "Accountant" role
What we see: Full financial data, transactions, reports
What we CAN'T do: Post transactions, delete data, modify settings
Security: Most platforms have specific CFO/Advisor roles designed for this
Bank Accounts:
Access level: View-only through accounting software integration
What we see: Transaction history, balances
What we CAN'T do: Initiate transfers, approve payments
Alternative: Monthly bank statement exports if you prefer
Other Systems (as relevant):
CRM (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.):
View-only to see revenue pipeline and customer data
Helps with forecasting and revenue analysis
Payroll (Gusto, ADP, Paychex, Paylocity):
Reports access to see labor costs and headcount
Usually via exports rather than direct login
Project Management/Time Tracking:
For professional services: see utilization and project profitability
Examples: Harvest, ClickTime, Mavenlink
E-commerce Platform (Shopify, WooCommerce):
Sales data, product performance, inventory levels
Helps analyze unit economics and COGS
What We DON'T Need:
❌ Access to make payments or transfers
❌ Ability to modify historical data
❌ Authority to approve transactions
❌ Personal passwords or credentials
Security Standards:
All access follows least-privilege principle (minimum needed to do the job)
Two-factor authentication where available
Documented access log (who has access to what)
Immediate revocation if engagement ends
Typical Setup Timeline:
Week 1 of engagement
IT/admin provides access
We test and confirm data visibility
Start analysis and modeling
If you're concerned about access:
We can work with exported reports instead of direct system access
Many clients start with exports, transition to system access after trust builds
Happy to sign NDAs or data security agreements
Bottom line: We need enough access to do our job effectively, but structured to prevent unauthorized actions.
Discuss access requirements for your specific systems
Getting Started
How do I know if I'm ready for fractional CFO services?
You're ready for a fractional CFO if you're earning $1M+ in revenue and experiencing financial complexity that bookkeeping and accounting alone can't solve.
Self-Assessment Checklist:
Financial Decision-Making (check if true):
☐ Making pricing, hiring, and investment decisions based on gut feel rather than data
☐ Unsure whether you can afford to expand, hire, or invest
☐ Financial decisions take weeks because you lack clarity on the numbers
☐ Second-guessing major decisions because you don't have confidence in projections
Cash Flow & Planning (check if true):
☐ Cash flow feels unpredictable even when revenue is strong
☐ Payroll week causes anxiety
☐ No reliable 6-12 month cash flow forecast
☐ Surprised by cash crunches that "come out of nowhere"
Growth & Scaling (check if true):
☐ Want to grow but don't have a clear financial roadmap
☐ Preparing for fundraising, acquisition, or exit
☐ Your accountant reports history but doesn't guide strategy
☐ Revenue growing but profit margins shrinking (don't know why)
Operational Burden (check if true):
☐ Spending 5+ hours per week trying to understand your numbers yourself
☐ Month-end close takes 5+ days
☐ Team works around the financial system instead of with it
☐ One person leaving would break your financial operations
Strategic Needs (check if true):
☐ Facing major decisions (new location, big hire, product launch) without financial confidence
☐ Need to present financials to board, investors, or lenders
☐ Ready to transition from operator to strategic leader
☐ Want to build a business that can run without you being in every decision
Scoring:
0-2 boxes checked: You might not need a fractional CFO yet—solid bookkeeper and accountant may be sufficient
3-5 boxes checked: You're in the CFO Gap—fractional CFO makes sense to explore
6-8 boxes checked: You're definitely ready and likely losing money every month without strategic financial leadership
9+ boxes checked: You needed a fractional CFO yesterday—financial fog is costing you significantly
Revenue Guidelines:
Under $500K: Probably too early (focus on bookkeeping/accounting first)
$500K-$1M: Maybe (if complexity is high or preparing for growth)
$1M-$3M: Good fit if you checked 3+ boxes above
$3M-$10M: Strong fit—this is exactly where fractional CFOs add most value
$10M-$20M: Very strong fit (or transition to full-time CFO)
$20M+: Consider full-time CFO instead
The litmus test: If the cost of unclear financial decisions exceeds $5K-$8K/month (which it almost certainly does at $2M+ revenue), you're ready.
Take full readiness assessment - 2 minutes
What is the first step to working together?
The first step is a free 30-minute discovery call to assess your current financial position, challenges, and whether fractional CFO support is the right fit for your situation.
Discovery Call Agenda (No Sales Pitch):
1. Understand Your Situation (10 minutes)
Where is your business today? (revenue, team size, stage)
What's working well financially?
What's causing stress or uncertainty?
What decisions are you facing?
2. Assess Current Financial Operations (10 minutes)
Who handles your books currently?
How do you track cash flow?
What financial systems are in place?
Where are the gaps or pain points?
3. Explore Whether CFO Services Fit (5 minutes)
Based on what we learned, does fractional CFO make sense?
What would success look like for you?
What's your timeline and urgency?
4. Next Steps (5 minutes)
If good fit: We'll build a custom proposal
If not a fit: We'll recommend alternative solutions
No pressure, just honest assessment
After the Discovery Call:
If We're a Good Fit:
Custom proposal within 3 business days
Specific scope based on your needs
Clear pricing and timeline
Expected outcomes and deliverables
Review and refine
Adjust scope if needed
Answer any questions
Modify structure to fit your budget/timeline
Kick off (usually within 1-2 weeks)
Month 1 discovery and assessment begins
Quick wins identified within first 2 weeks
Full financial foundation built within 30 days
If We're NOT a Good Fit:
We'll tell you honestly
Recommend alternatives (maybe you need bookkeeper, not CFO)
Point you to resources that make sense for your stage
No hard feelings—we'd rather be honest than take your money
What to Prepare:
Nothing formal
Just come ready to talk honestly about where you are and what you need
We'll take it from there
No Pressure, Just Clarity: Worst case: You leave with better understanding of what you need next Best case: You find a strategic partner who helps you build a business that scales with confidence
Schedule Your Free 30-Minute Discovery Call
Contact:
Email: nick@lunchmoneycfo.com
Phone: 727-410-8944
Calendar: Here
What do I need to prepare before our first call?
Nothing formal. Just come ready to talk honestly about your business and where you need clarity.
Helpful to Think Through (Not Required):
Your Current Situation:
Approximate annual revenue (don't need exact—ballpark is fine)
Team size (number of employees, contractors)
How you currently handle finances (who does books, who does taxes)
What's Keeping You Up at Night:
Which financial decisions feel risky or unclear?
Where do you feel stuck or uncertain?
What would "financial clarity" unlock for you?
Major Decisions You're Facing:
Thinking about hiring? Expanding? Raising prices?
Preparing for fundraising or exit?
Considering a major investment?
What Success Looks Like:
Where do you want the business to be in 12-24 months?
What needs to be true financially to get there?
What would make this engagement worth the investment?
You DON'T Need:
❌ Financial statements prepared
❌ Detailed reports or analysis
❌ Presentations or formal documents
❌ Answers to every question
We'll Figure It Out Together:
Most clients start with "I don't know what I don't know"
That's exactly where we begin
Our job is to ask the right questions to understand your situation
Then diagnose where fractional CFO support makes sense
The Call Is Conversational, Not Interrogative:
We're learning about you
You're learning about us
Figuring out together if there's a fit
No pressure to decide immediately
After the call, you'll have clarity on:
✓ Whether fractional CFO makes sense for your stage
✓ What specific areas need attention first
✓ What a typical engagement would look like
✓ Whether we're the right fit to work together
Just show up ready to have an honest conversation about your business. We'll handle the rest.
Schedule Your Discovery Call - No Prep Required
What if I'm not sure this is the right time?
That's fair. Not every business is ready for fractional CFO services right now—and that's perfectly okay.
The Gut Check:
Ask yourself: What's the cost of NOT having financial clarity over the next 6-12 months?
Hidden costs:
Delayed decisions = missed revenue opportunities
Wrong decisions = expensive mistakes
Financial stress = slower growth, founder burnout
Lack of systems = crisis management instead of strategic leadership
If the cost of uncertainty exceeds $5K-$8K per month, it's time. (And at $2M+ revenue, it almost always does)
But Here's the Thing:
Timing matters less than you think.
"I'll wait until we're more organized" → You'll never feel organized enough
"I'll wait until revenue is higher" → The problems only get worse as you scale
"I'll wait until we have more cash" → Lack of financial clarity is probably WHY cash is tight
The businesses that wait usually:
Spend 6 months trying to DIY financial planning
Make costly mistakes that cost more than CFO services would have
Finally hire a CFO after a crisis forces them to
The businesses that act now:
Build the foundation before it becomes a crisis
Grow strategically instead of reactively
Avoid the expensive mistakes that "waiting" causes
Still Unsure? Let's At Least Talk:
Even if you're not ready to engage, a 30-minute call will:
✓ Give you clarity on what you actually need
✓ Help you understand if fractional CFO is right (or something else)
✓ Provide guidance on what to do next—even if it's not hiring us
Worst case: You spend 30 minutes learning about your options
Best case: You find a strategic partner who helps you build a business that scales confidently
No pressure. No obligation. Just honest conversation about whether this makes sense for you right now.
Schedule Free Call to Explore - No Commitment
Do you serve businesses in my industry?
We work primarily with established small and medium-sized businesses ($1M-$20M revenue) across multiple industries—if you're in this revenue range and need strategic financial guidance, we can likely help.
Core Industries We Serve:
Professional Services
Consulting firms
Marketing and creative agencies
Law firms
Engineering and architecture
IT services and MSPs
Product-Based Businesses
E-commerce and retail
Manufacturing and distribution
Consumer products
Wholesale
Trades & Contractors
General contractors and construction
HVAC, plumbing, electrical
Specialty trades
Home services
Technology & SaaS
B2B SaaS platforms
Software development firms
Technology services
Apps and digital products
Healthcare & Wellness
Medical practices
Dental practices
Healthcare services
Wellness and fitness businesses
Not Listed? If your industry isn't above but you're earning $1M+ in revenue and facing growth decisions that need financial clarity, reach out anyway. We've worked with:
Hospitality and restaurants
Nonprofits and associations
Real estate and property management
Education and training companies
And others
What Matters More Than Industry:
We look for:
✓ $1M-$20M in revenue (the CFO Gap)
✓ Growth ambitions with unclear financial roadmap
✓ Decisions being delayed due to financial fog
✓ Founder ready to shift from operator to strategic leader
Industry-specific expertise we bring:
Different industries = different economics:
SaaS: We understand MRR, churn, LTV:CAC, expansion revenue
Services: We know utilization rates, realization rates, billable vs. non-billable
Products: We model inventory turn, GMROI, COGS management
Contractors: We track job costing, WIP, backlog analysis
If we haven't worked in your exact industry, we'll:
Learn your business model quickly (we're fast learners)
Research industry benchmarks and best practices
Apply proven financial frameworks adapted to your economics
Be honest if we're not the right fit
Bottom line: Industry knowledge helps, but what matters most is understanding YOUR specific business model, unit economics, and strategic goals.
Discuss your industry-specific needs - Schedule call
Final Thought
Businesses don't break because they grow too slowly.
They break because their financial foundation can't support their growth.
A fractional CFO helps you raise your floor—so your business can scale with confidence instead of stress.
Ready to explore?
Schedule Free 30-Minute Discovery Call
Contact:
Email: nick@lunchmoneycfo.com
Phone: 727-410-8944
Additional Resources
Related Reading:
[What to Look for in a Fractional CFO: 8 Essential Qualities]
[Raise Your Floor: The CFO Mindset for Long-Term Growth]
[The FLOOR Framework: Building Financial Resilience]
[When to Hire a Fractional CFO vs. Full-Time CFO]
Free Tools:
[13-Week Cash Flow Forecast Template]
[CFO Readiness Self-Assessment (2 minutes)]
[Financial Systems Audit Checklist]
[KPI Dashboard Examples by Industry]
Case Studies:
[How a $5M Professional Services Firm Improved Cash Flow 40% in 90 Days]
[SaaS Startup: From Spreadsheet Chaos to $2M Seed Round]
[Contractor Exit: Clean Financials = 18% Higher Sale Price]
Last Updated: April 2026
Author: Nicholas Youmans, CPA Fractional CFO, Lunch Money CFO
Lunch Money CFO provides fractional CFO services to growing businesses in Tampa, Florida and nationwide. We help founders between $1M-$20M in revenue build the financial foundation to scale with confidence.