A Thoughtful, Hands-on Financial Partner

Clay didn’t step into fractional work by accident.

“Much of this was driven by life stage and the flexibility and autonomy that comes with working on a fractional basis,” he explains. “The variety of working with different people and across different industries has been a wonderful experience.”

That variety has sharpened his ability to walk into a complex environment, quickly understand how the business really works, and build financial tools that owners and managers can actually use.

Before joining Crown CFO, Clay served as Director of Finance with BriovaRx Infusion Services, part of OptumRx/UnitedHealth Group. He played a key role in the successful growth and execution of several private equity backed transactions and led the finance transition of Axelacare Health Solutions to OptumRx. That background in fastmoving, highstakes environments shows up today in the way he helps closely held businesses scale with confidence.

Why Construction and Service Businesses Count on Clay

Over the past several years, Clay has focused primarily on:

• Construction
• Skilled trade services
• Commercial and residential services
• Home health/pharmacy services
• Higher education and custom publishing

“These industries tend to be more project management focused, making my role more collaborative,” Clay says. “It is gratifying to connect on a more personal level with the managers and leaders of these teams.”

Owners in these spaces often feel stuck between the field and the finances. Jobs are in motion, costs are shifting, and everyone is busy—but the numbers don’t always tell a clear story. Clay helps close that gap.

His core skill set includes:

• Percent completion and WIP management
• Financial and risk management
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Acquisition analysis
• Endowment and fund analysis
• Audit preparation

In practice, that means Clay builds the financial visibility leaders need to answer big questions with confidence:

• Are our jobs really profitable—or just busy?
• Do we have the cash and margin to grow?
• Where are we taking on more risk than we realize?
• What levers can we pull in the next 90 days to improve results?

Fixing the “Blocking and Tackling” So Strategy Can Actually Work

Ask Clay about common challenges he sees, and he’ll start at the foundation.

“It may seem obvious, but the lack of accuracy and integrity of accounting transactions is a common challenge and can create major frustration,” he notes. “It is critical to have a well-coached staff and solid procedures to cover the ‘blocking and tackling.’”

Owners often want strategic insight, but the underlying data doesn’t support it. Clay helps businesses tighten up their accounting processes, coach internal teams, and implement practical procedures so the numbers can finally be trusted. 

Once that foundation is in place, he builds budgets, forecasts, dashboards, and WIP reports that leaders can rely on month after month.

The Power of a Team – Even for an Introvert

Some CFOs will tell you networking is their favorite part of the job. Clay is candid that this hasn’t always been the case.

“The networking aspect is more challenging for an introvert like me,” he admits. “I am thankful to be part of a highly skilled team of fractional CFOs that make this part of my role easier.”

At Crown CFO, Clay collaborates with other seasoned CFOs to share ideas, compare approaches, and make sure clients benefit from the full breadth of the team’s experience, not just one person’s point of view. 

For owners, that means you get a dedicated partner in Clay, backed by a bench of experts who have seen hundreds of different financial situations.

Life Outside the Spreadsheets

Clay’s attention to detail doesn’t stop at the office—and neither does his appreciation for the right tools.

A must-have in his workspace? “Excel! I use it for everything from budgeting to letters to Christmas cards with graphics.”

When it’s time to recharge, you’re more likely to find him on a beach than behind a desk.

“I am 100% sold that a tropical beach is the best therapy,” he says. “It’s hard to choose a favorite, but St. John, USVI would be at the top—for the water, landscape, snorkeling, and vibe.”

He also recalls an especially memorable business trip to Raritan Valley, New Jersey: “There were a few times I needed to work at a facility there. When I visited, I stayed in a local bed and breakfast next to a trout stream. Looking back, I don’t remember much about the work I did while I was there, but the setting was amazing!”

Work with Clay and the Crown CFO Team

If you’re a growth-stage owner in construction, skilled trades, or project based services, you don’t have to choose between fighting today’s fires and planning for tomorrow. With a fractional CFO like Clay Collins, you get both: better “blocking and tackling” in your books and strategic insight that keeps your business moving forward.

Interested in working with Clay or learning more about Crown CFO’s fractional CFO services?

Contact Kerry George at kerry@crowncfo.com to explore whether a Fractional CFO partner is the right next step for your business.