When is the right time to onboard a CFO?

Hiring a CFO is an important step and a big milestone for many small and medium-sized businesses. While having their expertise can address various challenges, transitioning from no CFO/COO to full-time can be costly. Finding the right balance is key!   If you and your management team are contemplating this decision, here are some reasons why many organizations make the strategic move:

  1. Navigating Solitude at the Helm:
    • As a business leader, you often find yourself alone at the top. Having an experienced partner—a strategic advisor and partner—by your side can make all the difference.
  2. Time Constraints and Priorities:
    • The clock never stops, and neither do critical financial and operational tasks. If you’re drowning in responsibilities, it’s time to consider a CFO. They are experts at handling the financial intricacies, allowing you to focus on strategy, growth, the future, and important aspects of the business.
  3. Beyond the Balance Sheet:
    • Your finance function shouldn’t be limited to producing monthly P&L statements and balance sheets. A high-caliber CFO provides strategic insights, detailed profitability analysis, rolling cash flow forecasts, benchmarking, and KPIs.
  4. Breaking Free from Tradition:
    • Stuck in old ways? A CFO can provide fresh perspectives and shed light on some of the blind spots that can slow down business growth. They’ll drive process improvements, boost productivity, and reengineer outdated practices, ensuring your business stays agile and competitive.
  5. Avoiding Financial Surprises:
    • Profitability and cash flow surprises can derail your plans. With a CFO’s expertise, you’ll anticipate and navigate these challenges, ensuring your financial health remains steady.
  6. People Matter:
    • Employee morale, communication, and accountability are vital. If your team dynamics need a boost, a CFO  can help align roles, improve productivity, and foster a positive work environment.
  7. Scaling Up with Infrastructure:
    • Is rapid growth hurting quality and operations? A CFO can build robust finance and operating functions, removing growth constraints.
  8. Long-Term Vision:
    • Look beyond the immediate horizon. A CFO helps craft a 3 to 5-year strategic plan, forecasts financials, and assesses your business’s current and future value. Perhaps the possibility of exiting/selling your business excites you.  A CFO is instrumental in helping you prepare a solid exit plan and working with other strategic experts to position your business for a future sale. At solidCore CFO, we specialize in supporting business owners with experienced financial management solutions. Our goal is to ensure your company’s financial health, allowing you to focus on growth and success. Schedule a complimentary exploratory session to learn more!