20 years’ experience of overseeing the financial function of businesses large and small ($500 million to $5 million), providing the guidance necessary for the executive suite to manage and develop the business for the longer term, while maintaining the necessary profitability for short terms goals.  Active part of developing and implementing the strategy of each business.

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The approach we take is that we recognize that each company is different, but experience says that these are the 10 key components for what a growing business needs from a CFO:

 

Confidence – bread and butter of the role, the table stakes

• providing credibility to all stakeholders (board, investors, employees, colleagues) on the financial results, forecasting and processes

• creating a robust budgeting and forecasting system aligned with producing the right information for the company’s goals – the one thing we know, for sure, is that the forecast will be wrong: the key aim is to be less wrong every period

• set up the controls and procedures in a way that ensures assets are not lost, liabilities are recognized and the income statement is correct

 

Adviser – the day to day added value component

• define the actions to be taken in the future based upon the results that have happened, or more importantly, that are just about to happened

• definition of the key ratios and related objectives for all key financial benchmarks that will produce success for the company

• partnering with human resources to create an environment where people are rewarded properly, retained and attracted, in the context of the direction of the company financially

• responding to client contracts, ensuring that the negotiation is best suited to the company’s objectives and challenging the company to press income generation and cashflow from such contracts

 

Leadership – the finance guide

• contribute to, and advise the financial implications of, the overall business strategy of the company

• oversee and define the financials on the special projects of the business:

  • acquisitions

  • office moves

  • implementation of new systems

  • banking and funding arrangements

• partner, collaborate and have strength of character that helps define the business with all stakeholders

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Project case studies

 

• prepared detailed forecast for mid-size advertising agency, with significant digital capabilities.  Developed staff planning in accordance with likely recognition of revenue, providing a plan for staffing over the period, assessing need for freelance resource to deal with peaks, as well as setting key performance indicators.  Assessed and confirmed the necessary operational controls to ensure the smooth running of financial forecasting, planning and analysis.

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• preparation of local books and records for international magazine based in New Jersey.  Providing financial guidance and preparation of materials for federal and state tax submission – working in partnership with local CPA firm.

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• prepared companies for the negotiation and management of complex compensation plans with clients - whether the client is looking for cost plus, project fee, time and materials or performance related compensations it is critical to be able to come to the discussions with alternatives that funnel the client to the way in which the agency is looking to be compensated.

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• developed strategic and business oriented short and long term incentive programs for key individuals, negotiated and defined employment contracts fit for purpose to ensure the longer term development, retention and attraction of important talent.