Frequently Asked Questions About Fractional CFO Services
Including When to Hire, What They Do, and How They Help Your Business Grow
What are Fractional CFO Services?
What is a fractional CFO?
A fractional CFO is a part-time finance executive who provides high-level financial leadership without the cost of a full-time hire. They analyze performance, manage cash flow, and guide strategic decisions to grow profit and business value.
What does a fractional CFO actually do each month?
They review financials, update forecasts, monitor KPIs, and meet with leadership to translate data into direction. The goal is ongoing visibility, smarter decisions, and stronger financial performance.
How is a fractional CFO different from a controller or finance manager?
How do fractional CFO services differ from bookkeeping or accounting?
Controllers focus on accuracy and reporting; fractional CFOs focus on strategy. They connect operations, finance, and growth goals—helping you see the big picture and plan ahead.
Bookkeepers record transactions and accountants prepare reports; a fractional CFO interprets those numbers. They build forecasts, identify profit drivers, and turn data into strategic actions that improve cash flow and growth.
When Should I Hire a Fractional CFO?
How do I know when my business is ready for a fractional CFO?
You’re ready when financial complexity outgrows basic bookkeeping—typically between $2M and $50M in revenue. If you’re making decisions without clear numbers, struggling to predict cash flow, or, feel overwhelmed when it comes to the numbers, it’s time to bring in strategic finance help.
Can I hire a fractional CFO if my books are messy or behind?
Yes. Many owners start that way. A fractional CFO will help organize your financial data, work with your accountant or bookkeeper, and establish clean, consistent reporting.
Do I need a fractional CFO if I already have a CPA or bookkeeper?
When is the right time to move from bookkeeping to a fractional CFO?
A CPA ensures compliance and tax filing; a fractional CFO drives financial strategy. Both are important! The CFO interprets what the CPA reports and uses it to guide business growth.
When you start asking “what should I do next?” instead of “what already happened?” you’re ready. A fractional CFO bridges that gap by turning past results into forward-looking strategy.
Why Should I Work with a Sentinel CFO?
What makes Sentinel CFO Services different from other firms?
Our team combines Big 4, Fortune 500, and private-equity experience with a proprietary Sentinel Operating System™. This framework tracks profit, cash flow, and business value every month—so you always know where you stand and what to do next.
What’s included in Sentinel’s fractional CFO services?
Each month you’ll receive a financial review, updated forecast, and a Monthly Action Plan outlining clear next steps. We meet with you to discuss results, identify priorities, and support execution.
How quickly can I get started on a fractional CFO Service?
Will my fractional CFO work with my existing accounting team?
While some firms can take months, Sentinel launches most clients within seven days. We gather a few key reports, connect to your accounting system, and deliver your first insights within the first month.
Yes! Not only that, we'll work with your entire management team. We also coordinate directly with your internal or external accountants to align financial data, streamline reporting, and keep everyone focused on common goals.
How does a fractional CFO engagement work?
How much do fractional CFO services cost?
Typical engagements range from $2k to $10k+ per month depending on company size, complexity, and scope. You gain senior-level financial leadership at a fraction of the cost of a full-time CFO.
Do fractional CFO services reqiure a long-term commitment?
Most do. We don't. Our services operate month-to-month with transparent deliverables. We want you to stay because you see the value, not because of a contract.
Can I scale up or down as my business changes?
Absolutely. Sentinel CFO services are flexible. As your needs evolve, we adjust support levels so you always have the right amount of guidance.
How does a fractional CFO add value?
How does a fractional CFO improve profit and cash flow?
We identify your key revenue, cost, and working-capital drivers, then apply proven systems to optimize margins, manage cash, and reinvest for growth.
What results should I expect from a fractional CFO in the first few months?
Most clients see clearer visibility, faster decisions, and measurable profit or cash-flow improvement within 90 days. Most importantly clients report feeling less overwhelmed and have more peace of mind.
How do you measure success?
We track progress through metrics that matter: profit, cash, margin growth, and exit readiness. Success means more confidence and control over your financial future.
How do I hire a fractional CFO?
What do you need from me before starting?
Just recent financial statements, access to your accounting software. Additional KPI reports can also be helpful. From there, we’ll handle setup, diagnostics, reporting, and the first Monthly Action Plan.
How do I know if a fractional CFO is the right fit for me?
The right fractional CFO should have experience with companies like yours and a clear, proven framework they can explain. They should be able to articulate your financials in plain English and show how your daily decisions impact profit, cash flow, and long-term value. Most importantly, they should understand your vision for the future—and have the experience, framework, and plan to help you get there.
Choose the right fractional CFO to guide your business.
