INSIGHTS & ARTICLES
Explore some of the most recent articles by our CFOs.
FEATURED ARTICLE
10 Things to Know About the 2020 Payroll Tax Deferral
On August 8, President Trump issued a Presidential Memorandum to defer the payment of the employee share of social security tax from September 1 through December 31, 2021. But what, exactly, does this Payroll Tax Deferral mean, and should employers take advantage of...
RECENT INSIGHTS & ARTICLES
9 Traits of a Great CFO: Evaluating Your Financial Team
As Preferred CFO performs speaking engagements and advisory with CEOs around the country, one of the topics we’re continually asked to address is how to evaluate the quality of a financial team. Among these is answering the question, “What makes a great CFO?” We’ve...
1 Big Budgeting Mistake You’re Probably Making
One Big Budgeting Mistake You’re Probably Making A budget-first mindset not only wastes time and resources but also often results in an unrealistic and/or inaccurate budget. It’s a time-old Q4 tradition—lengthy planning cycles consisting of sitting down to tap out a...
What Is the Difference Between a CPA and CFO? 4 Key Differences
We're often surprised by how many businesses hire a CPA, believing they're receiving not only tax services but CFO strategies as well. The reality is that there are many differences between a CPA and CFO. However, it's no wonder the two are confused, as CPAs will...
What is the Difference Between a Controller and CFO?
What is the difference between a controller and CFO? While there are functions of both a controller and CFO that support each other, both positions make distinctly different contributions to the organization. What is the Difference Between a Controller and a CFO? The...
12 Things Venture Capitalists Look For in an Investment Opportunity
12 Things Investors Look for in an Investment Opportunity Being funded by a VC fund has been glamorized in the past 10 years—and it’s no wonder why. Venture capitalists not only provide funding for young and innovative businesses, but also bring a partnership with...
Signs Your Company is Ready for a Part-Time CFO
A CFO brings high-level expertise and strategy to an organization. A CFO’s primary role is to elevate financial strategy, streamline operations, trim fat, and maximize sustainable growth. But how do you know if your company is ready for a CFO? How do you know if your...
7 Essential Financial Tools Every CEO Needs
Turn on the Headlights: 7 Essential Financial Tools Every CEO Needs to Confidently Accelerate Success & Growth Many businesses make the mistake of believing that financials are all about historical numbers and budgets. However, if these are the financial tools you...
What is a 13-Week Cash Flow, and Why Isn’t It Enough for Most Businesses?
We've recently seen more and more CPA firms, fractional CFOs, and financial experts advertising 13-week cash flow plans. The messaging behind these offers insinuates that this simple 13-week financial reporting document can help businesses ease the burden of financial...
Cash Flow: The Reason 82% of Small Businesses Fail
Poor cash flow – How to recognize it and how you can make sure it won’t be a problem We know that the majority of small businesses fail within the first five years, but a recent study by U.S. Bank drilled down into the reasons why this occurs. In their study, they...
Payroll Protection Program Flexibility Act Passes in Senate
On May 28, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bipartisan bill, the Payroll Protection Flexibility Act 417 to 1. On the evening of Wednesday, June 3, this bill passed in the Senate and is now on its way to the President's desk where he is expected to...
What to Do if Your Business Didn’t Receive Stimulus Funding
The COVID-19 situation has caused financial stress for many businesses, causing uncertainty and leaving many companies with decreased financial security and revenue. What makes this time especially difficult is that not only are many businesses suffering a cash...
Handling Business Cash Flow During a Crisis
Managing Business Cash Flow During a Crisis Early in 2020, we were hit with an international crisis that most businesses were not prepared for. As COVID-19 swept through countries, quarantines and stay-at-home orders created economic stress that caused many business...
Organic vs Inorganic Growth – And Becoming the Acquisition Target
Organic vs. Inorganic Growth – Pros, Cons, and an Investor’s Perspective Every company loves to see growth – it’s a signifier of potential success and that things are “working” within the organization. However, not all growth is created equally. In general, growth is...
What is a 5 Year Forecast, and Who Needs One?
If your company is preparing to raise capital or if you are currently writing a business plan, you may be getting ready to build your 5-year financial forecast. It can be intimidating to plan this far into the future—as well as knowing what kind of projections to...
7 Common Cash Flow Issues and How to Solve Them
7 Common Cash Flow Issues & How to Fix Them Cash flow-related issues are one of the most problematic for organizations. A study by Jessica Hagen of U.S. Bank showed that 82% of businesses that failed had some sort of cash flow issue. However, many cash flow issues...
5 Common Pitfalls When Financing Inventory
On September 25, 2019, Troy Skabelund presented a webinar for Navigator Business Solutions to discuss 5 common pitfalls many businesses make when financing inventory. These issues, he explains, are often blind spots to businesses that hold inventory. In this webinar,...
What is a Virtual CFO?
What is a Virtual CFO? A virtual CFO is an off-site, part-time CFO providing high-level financial strategy services. A virtual CFO will help with financial forecasting, systems optimization & reporting, maximizing profits and shareholder growth, preparing for...
Spending Money to Save Money in Business
When to Spend Money to Make Money (and When to Not) When it comes to business, most of us live by the axiom that cash is king. We’re stringent with our overhead, careful with our purchases, and strategic with our hires. We also know that there are times you need to...
When Should You Hire a Part-Time Bookkeeper?
When a company first starts out, the owner is often a Jack-of-All Trades, doing everything from interfacing with clients, developing product, and keeping the books. Although dipping into different disciplines can be exciting, there does come a time when delegation is...
How Much Does a Fractional CFO Cost?
On average, fractional CFO costs $3,000/month to $10,000/month. The most common agreements are between $5,000-$7,000/month for most small- to mid-sized companies. The cost of a fractional CFO depends on the scope of work provided, the size and complexity of the...
11 Outsourced CFO Services – Most Common Services Offered by Outsourced CFOs
Which outsourced CFO services can benefit your company? It depends on your goals. Unlike controllers and CPAs who typically have a more straightforward job description of record-keeping, bookkeeping, and tax management, an outsourced CFO's role changes based on the...