Frequently Asked Questions

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A fractional CFO can assist growing small business in the transition of their accounting department from being transactionally oriented to information providers of key financial information.  This supports the shareholders and CEO in critical decision making without the investment of a full-time CFO.

As businesses grow, they reach a point where they require expert financial services but employing them on a full-time basis is not cost effective;  or, they settle for a CFO of lower experience levels in an attempt to manage cost.  Utilizing a fractional CFO makes sense when the following conditions occur: 

• Expert services require substantially less than 2,000 hours per year.  Even though the hourly rate may be higher, the reduction of time required results in a substantial savings,

• When the expert services required need to be flexible.  Certain times of the month, quarter or year may require higher levels of time commitment while no or limited services may be required during other times, and

• Depending upon the activities being undertaken such as financial planning & analysis, cost accounting requirements, process reengineering, credit agreement negotiations, annual insurance & benefit renewals, or audits, diversified skill levels are required.  An experienced CFO hired on a fractional basis would possess these diversified skillsets. 

Functions and activities emanating from the accounting and finance department range from daily transactional activities typically performed by staff accountants and bookkeepers, to control & reporting activities managed by a controller, to strategic level activities.  Controllers are well suited to manage the activities of the staff accountants & bookkeepers and perform control & reporting activities.  The CFO assists companies in moving to the next level by providing: • Strategic financial direction and assisting with integrated operational strategy, • Development of long-term & annual operating plans, quarterly forecasts, and cash forecasting, through the incorporation of industry, economic and operational factors as well as incorporating the impact of designed strategic action plans, • KPI development and performance management, • Management over capital expenditures and leasing strategies, • Enhancements to internal control and process reengineering, • Liaising with bankers and insurance brokers, • Increased governance and risk management practices, • Increased communications with the Board & shareholders, and • Assistance with M&A and the development of exit strategies. Add an answer to this item.

At Marked4 Solutions, we are not career public accountants that have only provided outsourced services.  We have spent 25+ years in the field with progressive experiences from a staff accountant, controller and CFO to Board Member.  We have done what you do every day and fully understand your challenges, struggles with segregation of duties in small accounting departments, and limited internal controls.  We know how to reengineer processes to ensure high quality financial reporting, streamline operations to reduce process cycle time and develop compensating controls providing data integrity.

As a CPA, we  are deeply rooted in strong financial process compliant with US GAAP or IFRS based upon the reporting requirements of the client. 

As a CMA , we recognize  the importance and benefits of internal operational finance and management accounting expertise.  Our approach is intended to result in the development of “information” not data providing insights for key management decision making.

As an industrial engineer, we are process oriented and relentless in understanding the flow of information from the various activities at the top of the funnel of the business into the distilled financial statements at the bottom of the funnel.  This understanding of the inputs and drivers at the top and their impact on the financial results provides the foundation for driving desired change through the organization to achieve the intended results. 

With experiences in not only finance but also in general management, sales, business development and operational cost management, brings an integrated holistic approach to financial management and business strategy.