CFO advisory services - expert financial guidance for strategic decisions

Strategic Consultation

CFO Advisory Services

Strategic financial guidance without the ongoing commitment. Expert consultation for critical business decisions and financial strategy.

What is CFO Advisory?

CFO advisory services provide strategic financial counsel on an as-needed basis. Perfect for businesses that have specific challenges or opportunities requiring expert guidance.

Get Expert Financial Guidance for Critical Decisions

Whether you're navigating a complex transaction, evaluating strategic options, or need a financial second opinion, our advisory services deliver CFO-level insight precisely when you need it.

At 1CFO, our advisory engagements bring the full weight of our collective experience to your specific situation. We've seen hundreds of similar challenges and can quickly identify the right path forward without requiring an ongoing relationship.

Key Benefits

Expert Guidance

Access CFO expertise for specific challenges without ongoing engagement. Get the insight you need for decisions that matter, without the overhead of a continuing relationship.

Objective Perspective

Get an independent financial viewpoint on critical business decisions. Fresh eyes unencumbered by internal politics or history can see things insiders miss.

Flexible Engagement

Engage for specific projects or questions without long-term commitment. Pay for expertise when you need it, not when you don't.

Deep Experience

Benefit from CFOs who have seen hundreds of similar situations. Your unique challenge probably isn't that unique—we've likely navigated something similar before.

Fast Results

Advisory engagements are focused and time-efficient. Get actionable recommendations in days or weeks, not months.

Specialized Knowledge

Access expertise in specific areas—M&A, fundraising, restructuring—that your internal team may lack.

Detailed Benefit Breakdown About CFO Advisory Services

Click to see comprehensive details about each benefit

Expert Guidance

Access CFO expertise for specific challenges without ongoing engagement. Get the insight you need for decisions that matter, without the overhead of a continuing relationship.

Objective Perspective

Get an independent financial viewpoint on critical business decisions. Fresh eyes unencumbered by internal politics or history can see things insiders miss.

Flexible Engagement

Engage for specific projects or questions without long-term commitment. Pay for expertise when you need it, not when you don't.

Deep Experience

Benefit from CFOs who have seen hundreds of similar situations. Your unique challenge probably isn't that unique—we've likely navigated something similar before.

Fast Results

Advisory engagements are focused and time-efficient. Get actionable recommendations in days or weeks, not months.

Specialized Knowledge

Access expertise in specific areas—M&A, fundraising, restructuring—that your internal team may lack.

How Our CFO Advisory Services Solve Your Specific Challenges

CFO advisory delivers focused expertise for specific decisions or projects. Get expert analysis and recommendations without an ongoing commitment.

1

Consultation

Discuss your situation, objectives, and success criteria. We scope the engagement and establish clear deliverables upfront.

2

Analysis

Deep dive into your specific challenge with data gathering. We analyze options and develop strategic recommendations.

3

Recommendations

Receive actionable guidance tailored to your situation. Clear recommendations are provided with supporting analysis.

4

Support

Optional follow-up as you implement recommendations. We answer questions and help navigate successful execution.

Understanding CFO Advisory Services

CFO advisory services deliver expert financial consultation for specific situations without the commitment of ongoing CFO engagement. Think of it as consulting a financial specialist—you come with a specific question or challenge, receive expert analysis and recommendations, and move forward with clarity.

Unlike fractional or part-time CFO services where the relationship is ongoing, advisory engagements are project-based or situational. You engage for a specific purpose: evaluating an acquisition opportunity, restructuring your capital, preparing for a major decision, or getting a second opinion on a strategic initiative.

The advisory model works well because many financial challenges don't require ongoing CFO involvement—they require the right expertise applied intensively at the right moment. A few days of focused analysis from an experienced CFO can provide more value than months of lighter-touch involvement.

CFO advisory is particularly valuable for businesses that already have adequate financial management but face situations requiring specialized expertise. Your existing controller or CFO handles day-to-day operations well, but you encounter a challenge outside their experience—that's when advisory services add the most value.

When to Consider CFO Advisory Services

Signs your business is ready for this service

1

You Have a Specific Decision to Make

Should you take on debt or raise equity? Is this acquisition worth pursuing? Should you accept this offer for your co...

2

You Need a Second Opinion

You have internal analysis but want external validation before committing. An independent perspective can confirm you...

3

You're Facing an Unfamiliar Situation

Your existing team is capable, but this situation is outside their experience. Advisory brings specialized expertise ...

4

You Don't Need Ongoing CFO Services

Your day-to-day financial management is solid. You need help with a specific project or question, not ongoing strateg...

5

Speed Matters

Advisory engagements start quickly and deliver results fast. When you can't wait for an extensive search or lengthy o...

6

Budget Is Constrained

Advisory lets you access CFO expertise for specific needs without ongoing costs. Pay for what you need, when you need...

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CFO advisory?

CFO advisory provides strategic financial consultation for specific challenges or decisions without the commitment of ongoing CFO services. It's project-based or situational expertise—you engage for a specific purpose, receive analysis and recommendations, and move forward with clarity.

What types of situations does CFO advisory address?

Common advisory engagements include: evaluating acquisition opportunities, preparing for sale or funding, capital structure optimization, financial model review, strategic planning facilitation, board presentation preparation, and second opinions on major financial decisions.

How much does CFO advisory cost?

Advisory engagements are typically scoped as fixed-fee projects ranging from $2,500 for simple consultations to $25,000+ for complex transactions. We provide clear pricing upfront based on scope. Hourly arrangements are also available for flexible needs.

Can advisory lead to ongoing services?

Sometimes. If an advisory engagement reveals needs for ongoing CFO support, we can transition to fractional or part-time arrangements. But there's no pressure—advisory stands on its own as a complete solution for specific needs.

When should I use CFO advisory vs fractional CFO?

CFO advisory is best for specific, time-bound needs: a particular decision, transaction, or project requiring expert input. Fractional CFO is better if you need ongoing strategic financial leadership over months or years. Advisory is a point solution; fractional is a relationship.

How long does a typical advisory engagement last?

Advisory engagements typically run 2-8 weeks depending on complexity. Simple consultations might involve just a few hours; complex transactions can require several weeks of analysis. We scope each engagement based on your specific needs.

Do I need to share sensitive financial information?

Effective advisory requires understanding your actual financial situation. We maintain strict confidentiality and can sign NDAs before engagement. The more complete the picture, the better the advice we can provide.

How quickly can you start an advisory engagement?

Most advisory engagements can begin within 1-2 weeks. For urgent situations, we can often start faster. We understand that time-sensitive decisions can't wait for lengthy procurement processes.

Ready to Get Started?

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your business needs and learn how our cfo advisory services | strategic finance consulting | 1cfo can help you achieve your financial goals.