How Groundwork CFO works with founders
Simple process. Honest scope. A flexible CFO partnership built around what your company actually needs—not a bloated package
Book a ConsultationWho We Serve
Seed to Series B startups that need financial clarity without a full-time hire
Revenue stage
$0 – $10M ARR. Earlier-stage companies need lighter support; as you grow, we scale the engagement to match.
Business model
SaaS, marketplace, e-commerce, or services. What we track is built around how you actually make money.
Stage of need
Whether you're just trying to understand your numbers, preparing for fundraising, or need ongoing financial leadership.
What You Get
Every engagement is customized, but here's what the core partnership includes:
Clear, reliable financials
I work with your existing bookkeeper or firm to make sure the numbers are accurate and usable—no finance degree required to read them.
A picture of where you stand
Revenue, margins, burn, and runway turned into a simple view you can explain to your team and investors.
A regular decision cadence
Recurring time on the calendar to walk through results, talk through trade-offs, and decide what happens next—so you're not reacting in Slack at midnight.
Short, actionable follow-up
A concise recap: what changed, what it means, and a few concrete actions with owners and timing.
How It's Customized
The Groundwork Operating System adapts to your specific situation:
Stage & complexity
Earlier-stage and simpler businesses get a lighter version; multi-product, multi-team companies get deeper analysis and more touchpoints.
Your business model
SaaS, marketplace, e-com, services—what we track and discuss is built around how you actually make and keep money.
Your leadership style & bandwidth
Some founders want more async Looms and written summaries; others want live working sessions. We set the format to match how you think and run the company.
Current priorities
Preparing for a raise? Need to tighten ops? Want to understand unit economics? We focus on what matters most right now.
Simple process. Honest scoping
We don't believe in bloated retainers. We identify exactly what your business needs right now, and that is all we build
01
The Fit check
We book a discovery call to look at your current reality. This isn't a sales pitch—it's a conversation to see if my approach matches your stage.
02
The Blueprint
I review your situation and propose a scope that fits. If you don't need an add-on, I won't recommend it. Honest recommendations only.
03
The Groundwork
We kick off. We clean up the data, set the rhythm, and start building the financial clarity you need to scale. We get to work immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a fractional CFO do for startups?
A fractional CFO provides part-time strategic financial leadership for startups. This includes financial modeling, runway analysis, cash flow management, fundraise preparation, and helping founders make better decisions with data. Unlike a bookkeeper who records transactions, a CFO interprets the numbers and helps you plan ahead.
When should a startup hire a fractional CFO?
Most startups benefit from a fractional CFO when they've raised seed funding, have meaningful revenue, or are preparing for a fundraise. Key signals include: spending more than $50K/month, preparing for Series A, needing investor-ready financials, or making decisions without clear financial data.
How is this different from a bookkeeper or accountant?
Bookkeepers record transactions. Accountants prepare tax returns and ensure compliance. A fractional CFO is a strategic partner who helps you understand what those numbers mean for your business, builds financial models, prepares for fundraising, and guides financial decision-making. Most startups need all three, working together.
How much does a fractional CFO cost?
Fractional CFO services typically range from $3,000 to $10,000+ per month depending on scope and complexity. This is a fraction of the $200-400K+ total cost of a full-time CFO. We customize engagements to your actual needs—you only pay for what you need.
Can you help with fundraising?
Absolutely. Fundraise readiness is one of our core offerings. We help build investor-grade financial models, prepare your data room, create financial slides for your pitch deck, and can join investor calls to help tell your financial story and handle diligence questions.
Ready to Get Started?
Book a free discovery call. We'll discuss your challenges, your goals, and whether we're a good fit to work together.
Book Your Free Consultation