Fractional CFO Services for Small Business
Senior financial leadership without a full-time salary. Our fractional CFO services give growing businesses forecasting, cash flow strategy, clear KPIs and a trusted partner for big decisions.
A fractional CFO, sometimes called a virtual or outsourced CFO, is an experienced financial leader who works with your business part time. You get the strategic thinking of a chief financial officer, from forecasting and cash planning to pricing and growth decisions, scaled to what your business needs right now.
At MSM Advisors, fractional CFO work sits on top of accurate, up-to-date books. Because our CPA-led team also handles your accounting and tax work, your forecasts, financial statements and tax strategy all come from one set of numbers and one team that knows your business.
What's included
Signs your business is ready for a fractional CFO
Most business owners don't need a full-time CFO. Many do reach a point where bookkeeping and a once-a-year tax return no longer give them what they need to make confident decisions. Common signs include:
- Revenue is growing, but cash always feels tight
- Big decisions like hiring, borrowing or buying equipment are made on gut feel instead of a forecast
- Your lender, investors or partners are asking for projections you don't have
- You receive financial statements, but they don't tell you what to do next
- You're planning a sale, succession or major expansion in the next few years
If two or more of these sound familiar, a free consultation is a good next step.
Fractional CFO vs. full-time CFO vs. controller
A full-time CFO is a senior executive hire. It makes sense for larger companies with complex finance teams, but for most small and mid-sized businesses the cost and the workload don't line up.
A controller focuses on accuracy and the past: closing the books, reconciling accounts and producing reliable financial statements. A CFO focuses on the future: forecasting, strategy, funding and the decisions that shape where the business goes.
A fractional CFO gives you that forward-looking leadership for the hours and months you actually need it. With MSM Advisors, it's backed by our bookkeeping services and controller-level accounting, so the strategy is always built on clean numbers.
How our fractional CFO engagement works
- Free consultation: a 30-minute conversation about your goals, your current numbers and where you feel stuck.
- Financial review: we look at your books, statements and current reporting, and clean up anything that needs fixing first.
- Plan and priorities: we agree on the forecasts, KPIs and reports that matter most, and how often we'll meet.
- Ongoing partnership: regular review meetings, updated forecasts and a direct line to your advisor when a decision can't wait.
Why business owners choose MSM Advisors
MSM Advisors has helped small and mid-sized businesses since 1991. Our team includes former controllers and CFOs, so we've sat on your side of the table. Because we're a CPA-led firm, your CFO advisor works alongside the people who handle your business tax planning, so growth decisions and tax decisions are made together, not in separate rooms.
We're based in Lawrenceville, Georgia and work with clients virtually across the United States, using secure cloud tools so you can work with us wherever you are. To see how our monthly packages are structured, visit our pricing page.
FAQ
What does a fractional CFO do?
A fractional CFO handles the strategic side of your finances on a part-time basis: forecasting, budgeting, cash flow planning, KPI reporting, pricing and profitability analysis, and advice on major decisions such as financing, hiring and expansion.
Is a fractional CFO the same as a virtual CFO?
In practice, yes. Fractional, virtual, outsourced and part-time CFO all describe senior financial leadership you don't hire full time. Virtual usually means the work happens remotely, which is how we work with most clients.
How is a fractional CFO different from my bookkeeper or accountant?
Your bookkeeper and accountant record and report what has already happened. A fractional CFO uses those numbers to plan what happens next. At MSM Advisors, both sides are handled by one team, so nothing gets lost between them.
How much does a fractional CFO cost?
It depends on the size of your business and the level of support you need. Most of our clients work with us on a flat monthly basis. Our pricing page explains how our packages work, and you'll receive a custom quote after your free consultation.
Can you help with cash flow or budgeting on their own?
Yes. If you need help in one area rather than full CFO support, see our cash flow management and budgeting and forecasting services.
Do you work with businesses outside Georgia?
Yes. We're based in Lawrenceville, Georgia and serve clients virtually throughout the United States.
Let's talk about your business
Request your complimentary consultation and get a clear, no-pressure look at how we can help you grow, save on taxes, and gain peace of mind.
Free 30-minute consultation · No obligation · For businesses with $250K+ in annual revenue