According to the Wall Street Journal, the collapse of the SVB in March, 2023, revealed just how many businesses are operating without a CFO. For many small businesses — and start-ups — hiring a CFO is just not feasible before the right amount of funds are there.
The fact of the matter is that running a small business involves many financial obstacles to navigate. As a small business owner, you’re likely too busy managing so many various aspects of your company that the finance piece may not get as much attention as it should. And, since many small businesses may not have the funds to bring a CFO in-house, it can create quite the conundrum. How can you get the expert advice of an in-house CFO, without paying the same costs?
This is where outsourcing CFO services for small businesses come into play. In this guide, we’ll talk about:
- What are CFO Services for Small Businesses?
- Key Responsibilities of a CFO for Small Business
- In-House CFOs vs. Outsourced CFO Services for Small Businesses
- How CFO Services Benefit Small Businesses
- Is It Time to Hire a CFO?: A Checklist
- How to Choose the Right CFO for Your Small Business
What are CFO Services for Small Businesses?
CFO services for small businesses are services that small businesses and/or start-ups can invest in short-term, long-term, or as needed, for instance, a big project you’ll need support with. The services involve a CFO or agency offering specialized financial expertise in order to help business owners make informed decisions, improve financial performance, and achieve long-term growth. A CFO serves as a strategic partner to the owner/CEO who analyzes financial data, develops financial strategies, and guides the business towards financial stability and success.
Key Responsibilities of a CFO for Small Businesses
So, what does a CFO for start-ups and small businesses — especially those who are outsourced — do? Here are just some of their roles and responsibilities:
- Financial Planning and Analysis: A CFO evaluates your business’s financial health, analyzes trends, and prepares forecasts to help you make strategic decisions.
- Budgeting and Cost Management: They assist in creating budgets, managing expenses, and identifying cost-saving opportunities to increase profitability.
- Cash Flow Management: CFO services ensure your business maintains a healthy cash flow by optimizing accounts receivables and payable.
- Financial Reporting: They produce accurate and timely financial reports, providing insights into your business’s performance.
- Risk Management: CFOs assess financial risks and develop risk management strategies to protect your business from potential challenges.
- Funding and Capital Structure: If your business requires external funding, a CFO can help you navigate financing options and structure capital for growth.
In-House CFOs vs. Outsourced CFO Services for Small Businesses
A CFO is a CFO, but how they serve your company can differ depending on whether or not they’re coming to work for you full-time or you’re investing in their services. The reason we mention this is because many small businesses may not realize that much of what they need support with can be done by investing in CFO services for small businesses. However, it’s also important to recognize if your needs go beyond that, and you need a dedicated person who isn’t also working with other clients.
These are the main distinctions you need to know:
In-House CFO:
- Employment: An in-house CFO is a full-time employee of the company. They are part of the internal management team and are typically hired directly by the company’s board of directors or senior executives.
- Dedicated focus: The in-house CFO’s sole focus is on the financial health and strategy of the company. They work closely with other departments, providing real-time financial insights, developing financial plans, and overseeing the company’s financial operations on a day-to-day basis.
- Company-specific knowledge: An in-house CFO becomes intimately familiar with the company’s unique financial challenges, goals, and culture over time. This knowledge allows them to tailor financial strategies and decision-making to the organization’s specific needs.
- Accessibility: Being part of the company, the in-house CFO is available on-site for meetings, discussions, and collaboration with other executives and team members.
- Long-term perspective: The in-house CFO typically focuses on long-term financial planning, growth, and sustainability, and they can build relationships with stakeholders over time.
Outsourced CFO:
- Employment: CFO services for startups or small businesses means you would be hiring a professional who is not a full-time employee of the company but rather a contracted external professional or a firm specializing in providing CFO services. They are engaged on a part-time or project basis.
Specialized services: Outsourced CFOs are often experts in financial management, offering specialized skills and knowledge that might be lacking within the company. They bring a fresh, unbiased perspective to financial matters.
Cost flexibility: Hiring an outsourced CFO can be cost-effective for smaller businesses or startups that don’t require a full-time CFO but need periodic financial expertise.
Wide industry experience: As outsourced CFOs may serve multiple clients across various industries, they can bring insights and best practices from diverse business environments.
Time-limited engagement: Their involvement may be limited to specific projects or a set number of hours per month, and they may not be as readily available for immediate on-site interactions.
Later on in this guide, we provide a checklist for you to determine which type of CFO is right for your small business.
How CFO Services Benefit Small Businesses
Having a professional to manage your small business’ finances is an important decision to make. Perhaps you’re not quite there yet, but you are interested in learning more about whether or not it’s worth it to consider seeking out CFO services. The thing is, many small businesses don’t even consider hiring a CFO until the financial situation becomes too overwhelming. Though they are meant to help you in these situations, there are benefits to bringing on a CFO proactively, too. In any case, outsourcing CFO services for your business are beneficial because:
Financial Expertise at Fraction of Cost
Small businesses often face budget constraints, making it challenging to hire a full-time. CFO services offer a cost-effective solution because you can access the expertise of a seasoned financial professional without the financial burden of a high salary and benefits package associated with a full-time CFO. By engaging a part-time or outsourced CFO, you still get the benefit of their financial knowledge and experience, which can be crucial for making informed decisions without committing to a long-term, high-cost arrangement.
Improved Decision-Making
A CFO’s analytical insights are invaluable for small businesses when making critical decisions about investments, expansions, or cost-cutting measures. They can analyze financial data, identify trends, and assess the financial implications of various choices. With their guidance, you can have a clearer understanding of the financial health of your business, enabling you to make better-informed decisions that align with your goals and lead the company towards profitability and sustainable growth.
Strategic Planning for Growth
CFO services prioritize long-term financial strategies. They work closely with small business owners to set clear financial goals and create detailed plans to achieve sustainable growth. By collaborating with a CFO, you can develop financial roadmaps that align with your business objectives, address potential challenges, and capitalize on opportunities. Their expertise allows you to plan for the future strategically, reducing uncertainties and positioning your business for long-term success.
Streamlined Financial Operations
Efficient financial processes are essential for any business, especially for small businesses that often have limited resources. A CFO helps streamline financial operations by implementing effective systems and procedures. This includes ensuring accurate bookkeeping, organizing financial records, and optimizing financial reporting. Additionally, a CFO ensures timely tax filings and compliance with financial regulations, reducing the risk of penalties and legal issues.
Enhanced Cash Flow Management
Managing cash flow is critical for the survival and growth of a small business. A CFO focuses on optimizing cash flow management to ensure that your company has enough working capital to cover operational expenses and invest in growth opportunities. They can analyze cash flow patterns, identify potential cash flow gaps, and implement strategies to improve cash flow, such as optimizing accounts receivable and payable processes.
Financial Insights for Negotiations
Small businesses often engage in negotiations with various stakeholders, including vendors, partners, and investors. Having a CFO by your side provides a significant advantage during these negotiations. They can provide comprehensive financial data and analysis, demonstrating the company’s financial health and potential. This strengthens your negotiation position and instills confidence in the other parties involved, increasing the likelihood of successful outcomes in various business transactions.
Is It Time to Hire a CFO?: A Checklist
As we mentioned, most small businesses choose to invest in CFO services when things have already gotten to the point where a professional is needed, i.e., not necessarily too late, but could-have-been-sooner. Since there are also benefits to hiring CFO services ahead of time as well, below is a checklist with questions to ask yourself and your leadership in order to help you determine if your business could use CFO services.
Hint: If you answer yes to at least one of these, then it doesn’t hurt to at least do a consultation:
- Is your business experiencing rapid growth or planning to expand?
- Do you need expert financial management during this critical phase?
- Are you incorporating new investors, restructuring debt, or acquiring other businesses?
- Do you require assistance with intricate financial transactions?
- Do you find it challenging to produce accurate and timely financial reports?
- Is compliance with financial reporting becoming a concern?Are you facing consistent cash flow issues that
- impact daily operations?
- Do you need strategies to manage cash flow more effectively?
- Are you uncertain about the best financial path for your business?
- Do you need help developing a comprehensive financial strategy?
- Is your business going through tough economic times or a financial crisis?
- Do you require guidance to stabilize your business during challenging periods?
- Has your small business reached a significant revenue threshold?
- Do you need assistance in managing increased financial complexities?
- Are you seeking external funding or investment for your business?
- Would having a CFO enhance your credibility with potential investors and lenders?
- Do you need financial expertise to assess risks and opportunities in these endeavors?
- Is your business facing financial challenges or experiencing declining profitability?
- Do you need a CFO to identify root causes and develop a turnaround strategy?
- Is your business subject to increasing regulatory compliance and reporting requirements?
- Would a CFO help ensure your business remains compliant with all financial regulations?
How to Choose the Right CFO for Your Small Business
Whether you’re looking to get ahead with making smart financial choices for the future or you need CFO services for a number of other reasons, here’s the bigger question:
How do I find CFO services for my small business? And, how do I know who the right CFO is for our organization?
To start, check locally and in your network. Chances are, there’s someone else who has experienced challenges when navigating the financial realm of their small business, and they’d have someone to recommend. Once you have a list of reputable CFOs to interview, you’ll want to consider these factors to help you make your decision:
- Industry experience: Look for a CFO who has experience in your industry. They will have a better understanding of industry-specific challenges and opportunities versus someone who is more of a generalist.
- Financial and analytical skills: Ensure the CFO possesses strong financial acumen and analytical skills. They should be able to interpret financial data and provide actionable insights.
- Strategic vision: Successful CFOs for small businesses must have a strategic mindset to align financial decisions with the long-term goals of your business.
- Communication and leadership: Effective communication and leadership skills are essential for a CFO to collaborate with your team and drive financial initiatives
- References and track record: Check references and the track record of potential CFO candidates to ensure their competence and integrity.
- Cultural fit: Consider the cultural fit between the CFO and your organization. A CFO who aligns with your company’s values and work culture is more likely to integrate seamlessly and contribute positively to your team dynamics.
- Flexibility and adaptability: Small businesses often experience changes and challenges that require a CFO to be flexible and adaptable. Look for a CFO who can navigate through uncertainties and adjust financial strategies as needed.
- Cost-effectiveness: Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of hiring the CFO. Determine if their services align with your budget and expected return on investment. For smaller businesses, it may be beneficial to consider part-time or outsourced CFO services.
Don’t Wait: Invest in CFO Services for Small Business Today
CFO services for small businesses offer a range of benefits that can significantly impact your company’s success. With expert financial planning, analysis, and strategic guidance, a CFO becomes an invaluable asset for your business. And, the good news is you don’t need to necessarily hire one in-house to get the support you need. Instead, you can look into hiring CFO services that offer services for small businesses, and specialize in the following:
- Growth and expansion
- Financial transactions
- Financial reporting and compliance
- Cash flow
- Lack of financial strategy
- Financial crisis or challenges
- Reaching a revenue threshold
- Preparing of investment or financing
- Entering new markets or product lines
- Compliance demands
- And more
Using our checklist, if you notice signs of financial stress, growth challenges, or lack of financial clarity, it may be the right time to consider working with a CFO. Outsourcing CFO support allows you to access high-level financial expertise without incurring the cost of a full-time executive. Embrace the opportunity to elevate your small business to new heights with the assistance of a CFO. Remember, investing in your financial future today will pay dividends for years to come.
Here at NYC Advisors, we offer CFO consulting services for small businesses, with years of experience supporting small businesses like yours. Let’s talk!
