Every year we ask our clients how we’re doing, and then we read every word they write back. This year our client companies responded with an average score was 9.7 out of 10.
Scores are nice. But the comments are where you find out why. We went through all of them, and a few themes kept coming up. Here they are, in our clients’ words.
A quick note: we’ve removed names so our clients and our CFOs stay anonymous. The quotes come straight from the survey, lightly trimmed where needed.
1. They Get to Know You First
Before a fractional CFO can help, they have to understand who you are: your people, your culture, how you make decisions. Clients noticed.
“[Our CFO]’s attention to who we are first, and expertise where we could improve.”
“The people from Crown we have worked with fit our personality and management style very well.”
“Crown was very accommodating to ensure the fractional CFO … was very well aligned with our team.”
That’s by design. We take the match seriously, because a great CFO who doesn’t fit your team won’t get far.
2. They Know Your Industry
One client put it simply:
“The fact that [our CFO] came from our industry is very helpful. He’s great!”
It’s why we match CFOs to businesses by industry. Someone who has worked in your world understands your margins, your busy seasons, and your pressure points from day one.
3. They Flex as Your Business Changes
Businesses go through busy stretches, growth, and big transitions. A fractional CFO can scale with all of it.
“I appreciate the flexibility of the fractional model greatly. We have had busy times and busier times, and [our CFO] has been able to scale up to meet those demands.”
“As our company grew, [our CFO] helped transition the CFO responsibilities to a full-time employee and took the time to train that person. Even after the transition, [our CFO] was always available whenever I had questions.”
That same client called their CFO back years later:
“When it came time to sell the company, I immediately called [our CFO] and hired him again. … I truly don’t know how I would have made it through the process without him.”
4. They Strengthen Your Team
A good CFO doesn’t just do the work. They make the people around them better.
“[Our CFO] brings high-level expertise and clear, practical guidance without the cost of a full-time CFO. He helps us work through strategic decisions, holds our accounting staff accountable, and teaches and trains them on what the expectations should be.”
“He has been a great help to our company and has been a huge help to me as I am new to the controller role.”
5. They Make a Measurable Difference
In the end, owners want to know it’s worth it. Here’s what a few said.
“He has seamlessly integrated himself into our culture and team, becoming a trusted partner while making a meaningful and measurable impact on our bottom line.”
“[Our CFO] has made a huge difference in our success. His value is exponentially greater than the expense.”
“The services of [our CFO] transformed our company from what it was to what it should be.”
We can’t promise results like these. Every business starts from a different place. But they’re the kind of impact we aim for with every client.
6. They Make It Easy
“It was simple to get started, fair pricing and our fractional CFO is awesome!”
“I know I can trust him letting me know the current health of my business and also he will let me know if I need to pay attention to upcoming potential opportunities or risks.”
“Great help to our company and have been responsive to all of our needs.”
And a few clients have already told their friends:
“[Our CFO] is amazing and just what we needed and have already referred him.”
What About the Scores Below 9?
Not every response was a 10. A few were lower, and we read those just as closely. They’re how we get better, for our clients and for our CFOs.
Thinking About a Fractional CFO?
If you’re weighing whether a fractional CFO makes sense for your business, we’d be glad to talk it through. No pressure, just a conversation about what you’re trying to solve.