Fractional CFO Services in Boston

There isn't one standard fee. Cost tracks the scope of work and how often you need us. A one time project, like building a 13 week cash forecast or cleaning up the monthly reporting package, takes far less time than ongoing CFO involvement in board meetings, lender talks or GovCon compliance. We'll pin down the outcomes you want and whether project work or a monthly arrangement fits before quoting anything.

Think of it as senior finance leadership on a part time schedule. A fractional CFO sharpens your view of cash, builds the budget and forecast, fixes management reporting, plans for capital needs, flags financial risk and explains what the numbers mean for operations. The difference from a full time hire is mainly cost and commitment, not the type of thinking.

Watch for a few signals: cash swings you can't explain, no reliable forecast, no clear read on which service lines or clients make money, an expansion or acquisition on the horizon, a fundraise or bank refinance, or investors asking for reporting you can't produce yet. Boston has a lot of fast growing tech, life sciences and professional services firms, and many of them hit these points well before they can justify a full time CFO.

Yes. A bookkeeper records transactions and keeps routine records current. An accountant prepares financial statements and tax returns. A fractional CFO looks ahead: reading performance, planning cash, setting budgets, tightening controls and advising leadership on big decisions. Each role relies on the one before it, and a CFO is only as good as the books underneath.

It depends on how fast things are moving. A steady business might do one financial review and planning session a month. During a budget cycle, a raise or a tough quarter, weekly check ins are common. We agree on the rhythm and the deliverables up front so each meeting ends with a decision, not just a slide deck.

That's often the first thing we tackle. We map the timing of receivables, payables, payroll, loan payments and planned spending to find the weeks where cash gets thin. From there it's a short term forecast, better collections and payment habits, a few scenarios and steadier reporting, so leadership sees trouble coming instead of finding it in the bank balance.

Yes. GovCon finance is one of our core areas. Our founder's background covers DCAA standards, FAR and CAS compliance, indirect rate structures, incurred cost submissions and contractor reporting, plus systems like Deltek Costpoint, Unanet and QuickBooks Online. Massachusetts defense and research contractors get a CFO who already speaks the language of their contracts.

Bring recent financial statements, any budget or forecast you have, cash information, the key operating metrics you track, loan or lease commitments, and a list of the decisions coming up. Contractors should add contract details, current indirect rates and any open DCAA items. And if there's an IRS notice or payroll tax issue sitting in a drawer, bring that too. Our founder is an Enrolled Agent and handles tax resolution in house.