You could be losing money right now—not because you’re not making enough, but because the wrong financial seat is filled in your business. In this episode, I break down what a fractional CFO actually does and why relying only on a bookkeeper or CPA can quietly hold you back from real financial freedom.

I explain the key differences between compliance and leadership, why growing businesses are often too big not to have a CFO but too small for a full-time one, and how a fractional CFO helps you keep more of what you make, scale profitably, and make confident decisions with your money. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the work but not seeing the payoff, this episode will bring a lot of clarity.

Timeline Highlights

[0:00] What a fractional CFO is and why most business owners misunderstand the role

[1:05] Why small businesses are too small for a full-time CFO—but too big to ignore the numbers

[1:25] The real difference between a CFO, a bookkeeper, and a CPA

[2:31] What business owners actually want from their businesses

[3:22] How a fractional CFO helps businesses under and over $500k in revenue

[4:01] The three-part financial foundation every business needs

[4:57] A real example of scaling deal volume without profitability

[5:56] Why making money and keeping money are two different skills

[6:58] Why a CFO must speak entrepreneur language, not accountant language

[8:28] The accountability gap most business owners don’t realize they have

[9:25] How a CFO helps you pay yourself, plan for taxes, and reduce stress

[11:30] The true role of a CFO in building long-term financial freedom

Key Takeaways

1. A fractional CFO is a financial leader focused on profitability and decision-making.
2. Bookkeepers and CPAs focus on compliance, not guiding your business forward.
3. Growing businesses need systems for cash, profit, and forecasting—not just reports.
4. A CFO helps you scale profitably instead of growing into chaos.
5. Financial clarity comes from strong foundations, dashboards, and accountability.
6. Many owners need permission and structure to consistently pay themselves.
7. When someone on your team is focused solely on profitability, results improve faster.

Links & Resources:

Book a free discovery call and see if a fractional CFO is right for your business: profitrei.com

Closing

Thanks for spending time with me today. If this episode helped you understand the difference between a CFO, a bookkeeper, and a CPA, make sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who’s trying to scale without burning out. And if you’re ready to apply what we talked about with real guidance and accountability, visit profitrei.com and book your free discovery call to start building financial clarity and freedom.