What are CFO services exactly?

There’s a concept in yoga called “neti neti.”  Neither this nor that.

Sometimes it’s helpful when you’re trying to figure out what something is to define first what it isn’t.

What are CFO services exactly?  What is financial operations management?  What exactly is it that you do Monique?

Here’s what I don’t do.

I’m not a bookkeeper.  They keep the books.  They track and record the day-to-day transactions in QuickBooks or Zero or some such accounting software.  They make sure the bills get paid and the customers pay up.  As a virtual CFO, I use the financial statements that bookkeepers produce to analyze past performance and provide assumptions for future planning.

I’m not a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or an EA (Enrolled Agent).  These folks are tax preparers and know how to produce income tax returns and to give tax advice.  I shudder to think of the continuing education CPAs and EAs need to go through to stay on top of the IRS and its changing regulations.  I work with tax professionals to structure the business to the owners best advantage.

I’m not a financial planner.  Those folks are great for giving you advice on what to do with the money–that I help you make–that you want to invest for your retirement, kids college and such.  I help the business owner make the money to invest in their future.

I’m not a business coach.   They provides positive support, feedback and advice to improve personal effectiveness in the business setting, according to Wikipedia. I work with business coaches to help the business owner move forward.

I’m not a financial therapist.  Bari Tessler, financial therapist par excellance says:  “I describe this work as integrating deep psychotherapeutic training with practical skills, tools, and financial training.”  I work with financial therapists to support the business owner put the insights they gain into practice.

If you think of all these different roles as being players in an orchestra, then I am the conductor.  These different roles are all connected to each other and the business owner.  If they aren’t overseen and synced, then the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing.  Some functions can get done twice and others not at all.

Financial operations management and CFO services makes sure that the books are being kept in a format that provides the owner with information on which to base decisions, and gives the tax preparer accurate information to file the tax returns and give advice.  It means preparing budgets and forecasts and business plans.  It means securing loans and line of equity from banks.  It means helping struggling companies turn themselves around.

Money flows to every part of your business.  Every part.  And having a virtual CFO on your team ensures that the entire picture is being looked after.  Seen and overseen and responded to.

If you feel like it’s impossible to hit the mark when it comes to your financial operations, then it’s time to make some changes.  It’s not impossible, it just requires a thoughtful, customized approach.  That’s where I come in.

Equity By Design offers you expertise equal to a full time CFO at a fraction of the cost. Let’s have a chat about how I can turn your business around, even out your cash flow, and double your profits.  Guaranteed.