A CFO (Chief Financial officer) is the senior-most executive in charge of the financial management of a firm, as best illustrated by Rick Busch who joined CFO Consulting Partners as the Director and Head of the Firm’s Long Island practice. The role of a CFO is similar to that of the controller and the treasurer but has distinct differences. The treasurer, controller, and the CFO’s jobs are to ensure the financial reports of the company are delivered on time and accurately.
You have probably heard of outsourcing CFO services and were interested in doing just that. Apart from choosing the right firm, you need to decide on the services you are willing to outsource and understand the benefits and shortcomings of outsourcing before committing to a firm.
In this article we will explain some of the benefits of getting a CFO consultant, when you should get CFO consulting, and what services to outsource.
What to Consider before you Outsource CFO Services
- The size of your company. Whether large or small, the office of the CFO is extremely important to any business. According to Forbes, when a company earns over 500,000 dollars, it is better to have an in-house, full-time CFO. However, if your company is smaller, you can opt to outsource the service.
- You also need to consider if outsourcing will save you money and how much it could save you. Some consultants will charge more for their services, while others charge less depending on their experience and expertise. It is important to consider if you can afford a competent CFO consultant or whether it would be cheaper to have the CFO office in-house.
- The downsides of CFO consulting. Before embarking on any new project, it is important to have all the facts. You need to know what you are getting into and whether you and your company can see past the shortcomings of consulting, if any.
Commonly Outsourced CFO Services
- For long-term financial strategies. A CFO consultant can bring in a higher level of strategy. The CFO mostly focuses on the future of the company’s finances. With CFO consulting it , you are sure to get fresh eyes and an understanding of financial strategies.
- Short and long-term financial and operational forecasting. It is important to understand the present and future capabilities of your company. Forecasting is extremely sensitive for planning and requires analysis, strategy, and practicality. Forecasting should also consider emerging trends and have room for unprecedented circumstances.
- Budgeting. Budgeting is a more detailed day-to-day requirement in business. It is important to every institution. It details how present and forecasted operations will be carried out. A budget helps to organize the company’s finances while keeping the company moving towards its goals.
- Raising capital and capital structure. Raising capital can be a difficult and stressful affair for any company. A CFO consultant can help raise capital for a company because the consultants usually come in with their networks. This could make for potential investors. The CFO consultant should also ensure your financials can attract investors, provide financial reports, statements and documents to potential investors, improve your reputation and confidence among his contacts and other potential investors and review term sheets and negotiate on your behalf. Once you have your capital secured, your CFO consultant also comes up with a capital structure that best suits your company.
There are many more reasons you may decide to outsource your CFO functions. For example, you may be looking to cut costs. For whatever reason you choose, outsourcing your CFO will be beneficial to your business.
Benefits of Outsourcing CFO Services
First off, you will have the best software at your disposal. With firms that are dedicated solely to CFO services, you can be sure that they have the best software and tools for client satisfaction.
Your company is exposed to expertise in accounting when you hire a CFO consultant. When you outsource your CFO, you are provided with professionalism and know-how.
You will spend less on CFO consulting than you will when you hire a full-time CFO. The prices and plans are customized according to your service provider’s expertise and experience and the hours that they work or the services they offer.
Your CFO consultant ensures all your financials are up-to-date and you have accurate data provided in the financials.
Outsourcing your CFPO functions ensures that you have time for other matters in business.
The disadvantage of Outsourcing CFO Services
The disadvantage of outsourcing CFO services is that you may not always be able to access your CFO. However, when you choose the right on-call CFO consultant, this problem can be solved.
Whether you decide to hire a full-time CFO or a consultant, always make sure you have the right person for the job because your financials are a key feature in your business.
A CFO (Chief Financial officer) is the senior-most executive in charge of the financial management of a firm. The role of a CFO is similar to that of the controller and the treasurer but has distinct differences. The treasurer, controller, and the CFO’s jobs are to ensure the financial reports of the company are delivered on time and accurately.
You have probably heard of outsourcing CFO services and were interested in doing just that. Apart from choosing the right firm, you need to decide on the services you are willing to outsource and understand the benefits and shortcomings of outsourcing before committing to a firm.
In this article we will explain some of the benefits of getting a CFO consultant, when you should get CFO consulting, and what services to outsource.
What to Consider before you Outsource CFO Services
- The size of your company. Whether large or small, the office of the CFO is extremely important to any business. According to Forbes, when a company earns over 500,000 dollars, it is better to have an in-house, full-time CFO. However, if your company is smaller, you can opt to outsource the service.
- You also need to consider if outsourcing will save you money and how much it could save you. Some consultants will charge more for their services, while others charge less depending on their experience and expertise. It is important to consider if you can afford a competent CFO consultant or whether it would be cheaper to have the CFO office in-house.
- The downsides of CFO consulting. Before embarking on any new project, it is important to have all the facts. You need to know what you are getting into and whether you and your company can see past the shortcomings of consulting, if any.
Commonly Outsourced CFO Services
- For long-term financial strategies. A CFO consultant can bring in a higher level of strategy. The CFO mostly focuses on the future of the company’s finances. With CFO consulting it , you are sure to get fresh eyes and an understanding of financial strategies.
- Short and long-term financial and operational forecasting. It is important to understand the present and future capabilities of your company. Forecasting is extremely sensitive for planning and requires analysis, strategy, and practicality. Forecasting should also consider emerging trends and have room for unprecedented circumstances.
- Budgeting. Budgeting is a more detailed day-to-day requirement in business. It is important to every institution. It details how present and forecasted operations will be carried out. A budget helps to organize the company’s finances while keeping the company moving towards its goals.
- Raising capital and capital structure. Raising capital can be a difficult and stressful affair for any company. A CFO consultant can help raise capital for a company because the consultants usually come in with their networks. This could make for potential investors. The CFO consultant should also ensure your financials can attract investors, provide financial reports, statements and documents to potential investors, improve your reputation and confidence among his contacts and other potential investors and review term sheets and negotiate on your behalf. Once you have your capital secured, your CFO consultant also comes up with a capital structure that best suits your company.
There are many more reasons you may decide to outsource your CFO functions. For example, you may be looking to cut costs. For whatever reason you choose, outsourcing your CFO will be beneficial to your business.
Benefits of Outsourcing CFO Services
First off, you will have the best software at your disposal. With firms that are dedicated solely to CFO services, you can be sure that they have the best software and tools for client satisfaction.
Your company is exposed to expertise in accounting when you hire a CFO consultant. When you outsource your CFO, you are provided with professionalism and know-how.
You will spend less on CFO consulting than you will when you hire a full-time CFO. The prices and plans are customized according to your service provider’s expertise and experience and the hours that they work or the services they offer.
Your CFO consultant ensures all your financials are up-to-date and you have accurate data provided in the financials.
Outsourcing your CFPO functions ensures that you have time for other matters in business.
The disadvantage of Outsourcing CFO Services
The disadvantage of outsourcing CFO services is that you may not always be able to access your CFO. However, when you choose the right on-call CFO consultant, this problem can be solved.
Whether you decide to hire a full-time CFO or a consultant, always make sure you have the right person for the job because your finances are a key feature in your business.
