Fractional CFO, Outsourced CFO, Virtual CFO Topics
The Power of ESOP: Creating Win-Win Exits with Employee Stock Ownership Programs
A few years ago, I structured the sale of a business to an Employee Stock Ownership Trust under the rules for employee stock ownership plans. These transactions are known in this corner of finance as ESOPs. But these ESOPs are...
How Fractional CFO’s Can Help Prevent Bankruptcy for Small-Medium Sized Businesses: Teaming Up with Founders to Enhance Liquidity
The words “Chief Financial Officer (CFO)” and “Founder” are often used in the same sentence when it is too late. Founders sometimes seek out a CFO when they are already drowning in hot water. Due to the high cost of...
Tariff Impact: Beyond Headlines to the P&L Reality for Emerging Businesses
The ping-ponging news on tariffs has been very confusing for emerging businesses and clients that I service through my CFO services practice. The international trade commission has found that while steel and aluminum producers may benefit from tariffs imposed by...
SaaS Financial Software: Complete Guide to Modern Finance Management Solutions
Over 90% of finance organizations have adopted at least one SaaS financial solution as of 2024, fundamentally transforming how businesses manage their financial operations. Traditional desktop accounting software and on-premise financial systems are rapidly becoming obsolete as companies recognize the...
Navigating ASC 606 in the SaaS World: Strategies for MRR and ARR Recognition
I recently implemented an ASC 606 system in an emerging company that needed to move from cash revenue accounting to accrual revenue accounting. Emerging businesses face this issue when they start raising capital and external parties and investors want to...
Understanding the Rule of 78s: A Critical Tool for Recurring Revenue Forecasting
Introduction I recently created a series of financial calculators for businesses on my firm's website. Shortly after I added the rule of 78s calculator, a useful concept I have used for years, I met a SaaS banker who had never...
Financial Calculators: An Essential Financial Tool for Business Owners
Informed decisions are key to sustainable growth and profitability. Financial calculators that once required specialized knowledge or expensive software are now accessible through targeted calculators that provide immediate insights. Whether you’re a startup founder, a seasoned entrepreneur, or a business...
The CFO’s Guide to AI Ethics: Navigating the Black Box Problem in Financial Decision-Making
As a fractional CFO working across multiple organizations, I’ve observed a growing concern in the financial sector: the ethical implications of AI-driven decision-making. The “black box” nature of AI systems – where the input and output path isn’t clearly understood....
CFO Hire: The Complete Guide to Finding and Hiring Your Next Chief Financial Officer
When your company reaches that critical inflection point where spreadsheets turn into complex forecasting and your controller starts looking overwhelmed, you’re facing one of the most important hiring decisions your business will ever make. A CFO hire represents far more...
Chief Financial Officer Degree: Educational Requirements and Career Path
The chief financial officer position represents the pinnacle of financial leadership in modern organizations, requiring a strategic blend of education, experience, and technical expertise. As businesses face increasingly complex financial challenges and regulatory requirements, the educational qualifications for aspiring chief...