The most cost effective and productive way to use a CFO is on a part time basis. In other words a CFO Consultant. Back in the day, Chief Financial Officers were more commonly called controllers and controllers would pay a lot of attention to monthly closings, financial statement preparation and profit planning. With todays operating systems and more sophisticated accounting modules, CFOs can turn more of their attention to areas that are more productive to the business owner. For example CFOs can turn their attention to business forecasting, inventory planning and reduction of risk. These aforementioned productive CFO duties and CFO services do not take full time manpower. You can even add a number of other CFO services and it still will not require a full time CFO. When you hire CFOs on a part time basis they will not require benefits as most are of independent contractor status. These CFOs are also your CFO as long as you want to keep them. The Business Owner will not get a two week notice because they found another job. In closing CFOs who work on a part time basis are more valuable because they will tackle the most important issues in your business and they are extremely cost effective.
