The evolving world of financial management can be tranquil one day and tumultuous the next, especially if you’re a private equity firm navigating a complex portfolio of operating companies. Staffing issues, internal tension, climbing interest rates and industry shifts are a few of the challenges chief financial officers (CFOs) face. Having the right CFO to guide a company through new and unsettled waters is key to maintaining a strong bottom line and accelerating growth.
You might have heard about or considered a 'fractional CFO' but what does this professional actually do? Here, we'll dive into what a fractional CFO is, their importance in managing specific projects or challenges and why SMBs or PE/VP firms should engage a fractional CFO.
Fractional CFO Definition
A fractional CFO is essentially a part-time or project-based Chief Financial Officer. Unlike a traditional, full-time CFO, they offer their expertise on a more flexible and cost-effective basis. You bring a C-suite professional on board on a part time basis to lead your finance organization and to fulfill the need for:
Financial expertise and guidance
Data analysis
Cash flow tracking
Risk management
Strategic planning
Forecast Creation
Whether it’s during an interim period while you search for a permanent hire or during a critical growth phase of your business, a fractional expert provides experience and guidance where you need it. You get high-level financial insight without the full-time commitment or cost.
The Benefits of Fractional CFO Services
Expertise: Fractional CFOs contribute a wealth of experience. They bring depth of knowledge, often from multiple industries, and fresh perspectives to your business that are based on hard-won experience,
Adaptability: They quickly integrate into your company culture and understand your specific needs to provide tailored financial strategies.
External Perspective: An outsider's viewpoint helps to identify inefficiencies and new opportunities that internal staff might miss. Third party perspective is especially effective for building partnerships and resolving internal conflicts.
Flexibility: As your business evolves, so do your needs. A fractional CFO scales their services to match your company's growth.
Cost-Effective: For SMEs or firms in flux, hiring a full-time CFO may be cost-prohibitive. A fractional CFO provides expert financial guidance without the hefty salary and benefits.
Challenges and Considerations
The lack of long-term commitment can be a double-edged sword. Integration with existing teams requires careful management and clear communication. Matching your needs to the right interim CFO is crucial to ensure alignment with your long-term business goals. An effective fractional CFO understands the role, integrates into the company quickly, sees the big picture and facilitates the transition when their services are no longer needed.
When choosing your interim professional, look for a provider that identifies pitfalls up front and maps out a solid plan to reach your objectives. A partner like Growth Operators provides advisory services in addition to interim management so that your fractional hire begins with a holistic view of your needs. Growth Operators ensures that you get the right professionals for your unique business situation, and one that fits the company culture.
Situations for Hiring a Fractional CFO
There are any number of situations where a fractional CFO makes more sense than a permanent hire. These are a few areas where leveraging a fractional employee can yield strong results:
Start Ups
Start-ups needing financial expertise without the overhead of a full-time executive leverage fractional CFOs’ expertise through the formative time periods. Don’t leave your launch to chance; trust experienced leadership that knows your industry.
Rapid Growth
New growth and significant changes are exciting but require the right leadership to seize those opportunities. Spare yourself the nail-biting moments and recruit an effective executive who leverages the momentum you’ve built.
Financial Challenges
Companies and firms that suddenly find themselves in economic terra incognita need an experienced beacon to lead them out of the weeds. A seasoned fractional CFO is the perfect guide for specific financial challenges like fundraising or restructuring.
Mergers and Acquisitions
New portfolio additions come with their own set of challenges. Hiring a fractional CFO puts a firm rudder beneath a rocking ship. Pre LOI, prevent merger and acquisition problems by hiring the right professionals to smooth the transition and align the finance organization.
Internal Tensions
In the private equity sphere, staffing tensions often arise between PE firms and their portfolio companies. An article in Pitchbook points out this growing trend. A fractional CFO acts as a mediator to align financial strategies with the broader business objectives and manages expectations on both sides.
Find Your Fractional CFO
Growth Operators provides financial leadership to companies in over 20 industries. Learn more about how we helped an office supply company make key financial decisions or how we created growth for a PE-owned healthcare clinic through fractional CFO services. The results speak for themselves.
Don’t leave your financial future to chance. Hire an expert who provides the right guidance and leadership to quickly deliver results. Contact Growth Operators today to discuss the types of services and fractional professional expertise your company or firm needs to build a solid financial foundation for the future. Our team is ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work for you!
Source: Pitchbook - Staffing tensions between PE firms and portfolio companies persist