Do You Really Need a CFO? (And What to Do If You’re Not Ready)
Hiring a full-time CFO is a big move—for your team, your budget, and your business. But if you’re starting to feel the gaps between your bookkeeping and your bigger-picture financial needs, it’s time to ask: what kind of support do you actually need to make smart, strategic decisions?
CFO Problems Don’t Always Require a CFO
A lot of businesses hit a point where they need more than just accurate books. They need guidance: financial modeling, help evaluating growth decisions, improving cash flow, or getting investor-ready. These are what people often think of as “CFO problems.”
The truth is, you don’t need a $200k hire to solve them. What you need is controllership-level support—an expert who can bridge the gap between your operations and your strategy. That’s where fractional controller services and outsourced accounting shine for small businesses and early-stage startups.
What a Good Controller Can Really Do for You
A fractional controller can help you:
Build financial systems that scale. For one employer, I rebuilt the chart of accounts during a system implementation. Suddenly, the P&L was clear and readable, making financial decisions much easier for leadership.
Ensure your reporting drives decisions—not just tracks numbers. I’ve handled large-scale fixed asset reconciliations and technical accounting treatments for contracts behind the scenes, letting management focus on running the business.
Provide insight when it’s time to plan, invest, or course-correct. Startup bookkeeping and proper cash flow management allow leaders to spot opportunities and risks earlier than they would otherwise.
This kind of support helps you lead with clarity now, while also setting you up for success later when a full-time CFO may actually make sense.
You Need Strategic Support That Fits Where You Are
If you’re still refining your model, testing growth levers, or getting a handle on real margins, you need someone who’s hands-on—someone who understands both the day-to-day and the bigger picture. Implementing a new ERP system for a startup I worked with is a great example: I led the setup of process workflows and technical configuration so the system would grow with the company. This laid the foundation for scalability and enabled in-depth reporting once the business was ready.
That’s what controllership-level support brings: practical, grounded insight tuned to your real decisions.
Build the Foundation Before You Level Up
The best CFOs don’t just walk into clean systems—they rely on them. If your books are still messy or your reporting doesn’t reflect your business goals, bringing on a CFO too early can backfire. Investing in building the right foundation first—through outsourced accounting, small business accounting, or fractional controller services—is the smartest move.
The Bottom Line
You may not need a full-time CFO just yet—but you do need high-quality financial leadership. That’s what our Managed Accounting Solutions deliver: controller-level insight, customized reporting, and experienced guidance to help you grow with confidence.
From rebuilding charts of accounts to implementing scalable ERP systems and handling technical accounting behind the scenes, you can bridge the gap between your day-to-day operations and long-term strategy without overcommitting resources too early.
Curious what that looks like for your business? Let’s talk about where you are now and how we can help you get where you’re going.
