What to Expect from Your First 90 Days with a Fractional CFO
- Robert Fiorella
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 26
Bringing in a fractional CFO can be a game-changer for your business. Whether you’re looking to scale, improve cash flow, or navigate complex financial challenges, a fractional CFO helps drive strategy and financial health. But what happens in the first 90 days? Let’s break it down..
The First 90 Days: What to Expect
Your fractional CFO will follow a structured approach to assess, plan, and implement financial strategies tailored to your business.
Phase 1: Financial Assessment (Weeks 1-4)
The first month is all about understanding your business and financial landscape.
Review of Financial Statements: Analyzing balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow reports.
Operational Efficiency Audit: Looking at spending patterns and cost-saving opportunities.
Identifying Risks: Spotting areas of concern such as cash flow gaps or high expenses.
Understanding Business Goals: Aligning financial strategies with growth objectives.
Phase 2: Strategic Planning (Weeks 5-8)
Once the assessment is complete, the fractional CFO starts developing a tailored financial strategy.
Budget Planning: Creating a financial roadmap to optimize spending and investments.
Value Extraction: Identifying cost savings, profit opportunities and improving financial efficiency.
Strategic Decision-Making Support: Providing insights to guide business expansion, hiring, legal, and pricing strategies.
Phase 3: Implementation & Execution (Weeks 9-on)
The final phase is about putting strategies into action and refining financial processes.
Cash Flow Management: Ensuring liquidity and financial stability.
Training & Team Alignment: Educating key team members on financial best practices.
Ongoing Monitoring: Setting up KPIs to track financial progress.
System & Process Improvements: Implementing tools for financial tracking and reporting.
FAQs
When should I hire a fractional CFO?
If you’re experiencing rapid growth, struggling with cash flow, or preparing for an acquisition, a fractional CFO can help.
How long should I keep a fractional CFO?
Can a fractional CFO replace a full-time CFO?
CEO and Founder of First CxO.
Bob Fiorella is a strategic problem solver, M&A advisor, and right-hand man to CEOs and business owners contemplating or dealing with a major change; whether it's restructuring a company, building a finance team, getting a loan, setting the company up for growth, successfully selling the company, etc. He began his career as an investment banker and worked on several deals including the multibillion-dollar merger of Avery and Dennison. Over the subsequent two decades, Bob’s career centered around the media, entertainment, packaged goods, wholesale distribution, specialty retail, technology, and software development industries where he took on roles such as SVP Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, and independent board member. Bob is the Founder and President of First CxO. Some of his assignments include being a fractional CFO for a $30mm packaging technology company, a $5mm software development company, and a $25mm e-commerce company. He is also an advisor to a $500mm franchising company. Bob holds a BS in Economics from Cornell University and an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. Bob can be reached at 310-422-6858, bob@firstcxo.com.
Bob’s “claim to fame” is appearing on Season 13 of America’s Got Talent as part of the Angel City Chorale. They made it to the Semi-Finals.
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