Fractional CFO & Growth Strategy

Executive-level financial leadership and growth strategy—cash flow, forecasting, financing, and the guidance to scale—without the full-time cost.

Fractional CFO & Growth

What is a fractional CFO?

A fractional CFO is a senior financial executive who works with your business part-time—giving you the strategy, forecasting, and financial leadership of a Chief Financial Officer without the full-time salary. Instead of $200,000+ a year for a full-time CFO, you get high-level guidance for a fraction of the cost, scaled to what your business actually needs.

Side By Side Financial provides fractional and outsourced CFO services for growing businesses nationwide. We turn your numbers into a plan—managing cash flow, forecasting, profitability, and financing—so you can make your biggest decisions with confidence.

What's Included

Executive financial leadership, part-time

Cash Flow Forecasting

13-week and long-range cash flow forecasting so you always know what's coming and never get caught short.

Budgeting & Financial Planning

Annual budgets and rolling projections that turn goals into a concrete, fundable plan.

Profitability & Job Costing Analysis

Margin and profitability analysis by job, product, or service line—so you double down on what makes money.

KPI Dashboards & Reporting

Clear monthly dashboards of the metrics that matter, explained in plain English.

Banking & Lender Relationships

Lender-ready financials and support managing your banking and financing relationships.

Growth & Financing Strategy

Strategic guidance on hiring, pricing, expansion, and how to fund your next stage of growth.

Compare

Fractional CFO vs. full-time CFO vs. bookkeeper

These three roles solve different problems. A bookkeeper records what happened. A CFO decides what to do next—forecasting, strategy, and financing. A full-time CFO does that in-house for a six-figure salary plus benefits; a fractional CFO delivers the same strategic horsepower part-time, for far less, which is ideal for businesses that have outgrown bookkeeping but aren't ready for a full-time executive.

Signs You're Ready

Signs your business is ready for a fractional CFO

It may be time for a fractional CFO if you're experiencing any of these:

How We Help

How a fractional CFO helps you grow

Because we already keep your books, payroll, and taxes, your fractional CFO isn't starting from a blank spreadsheet—they're working from a complete, real-time picture of your business. That means faster insight, better forecasts, and decisions backed by real numbers instead of guesswork.

Pricing

How much does a fractional CFO cost?

A full-time CFO typically costs $150,000–$300,000+ a year once you include salary, bonus, and benefits. A fractional CFO gives you the same expertise for a fraction of that—usually a flat monthly engagement scaled to how much support you need, from a few strategic hours a month to deep ongoing involvement.

For most growing businesses, that lands in the low thousands per month—far less than a full-time hire, and often paying for itself through better cash flow, pricing, and financing decisions. We'll scope the right level and give you a clear monthly price in your free consultation.

Who We Serve

Industries We Specialize In

Fractional CFO support is ideal for project-based businesses—construction, trades, trucking—where cash flow and job profitability make or break the year.

Construction
Trades & Contractors
Real Estate
Healthcare
Retail
Nonprofits
Professional Services
Restaurants & Hospitality
Trucking & Logistics
E-Commerce
Startups
And More
Why Businesses Choose Side By Side Financial

We don't just do your books—we become a strategic part of your team. Our clients get enterprise-level financial expertise at a fraction of the cost of an in-house finance department.

One firm for accounting, tax, payroll, and CFO services
Virtual-first model—we work with businesses anywhere
Industry-specific expertise, including Davis-Bacon and prevailing wage
Proactive communication—not just reactive number-crunching
Transparent pricing with no surprise fees
FAQ

Common Questions

Have a question about CFO and growth? Reach out and we'll answer it promptly.

Contact Us
What does a fractional CFO do?
A fractional CFO provides senior financial strategy—cash flow forecasting, budgeting, profitability analysis, KPI reporting, and financing guidance—on a part-time basis, for a fraction of a full-time CFO's cost.
How much does a fractional CFO cost?
Far less than a full-time CFO's $150,000–$300,000+ salary. Most engagements are a flat monthly fee scaled to your needs, often in the low thousands per month. We scope it precisely in your free consultation.
When does a business need a fractional CFO?
Typically when you're growing but cash is tight, making big decisions on gut feel, unsure which work is profitable, or preparing to raise money or borrow. If your books are clean but you're not sure what they mean, it's time.
How is a fractional CFO different from a bookkeeper or accountant?
Bookkeepers and accountants record and report the past; a CFO plans the future—forecasting, strategy, and financing. Many businesses use both, and we provide them together.
Is a fractional CFO worth it for a small business?
If you're making growth, hiring, pricing, or financing decisions, yes—CFO-level strategy without the full-time cost often pays for itself in better decisions and stronger cash flow.
What industries do you serve?
Fractional CFO support is especially valuable for construction, trades, trucking, and other project-based businesses, but we work with growing companies across industries nationwide.
Do you work with businesses outside Minnesota?
Yes—we're based in Mankato, MN, and provide fractional CFO services virtually to businesses across the country.
Get Started

Ready to plan your growth?

Get CFO-level guidance to make your biggest decisions with confidence—without a full-time hire.

Book a Free ConsultationSend a Message
📍
Headquarters931 Madison Ave, Mankato, MN 56001
🌐
Service AreaNationwide — Virtual-First Model