Course Corrections - Chapter Three - fCFO?
- John Ekman
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 19
When business gets offtrack, a small shift can change everything. Course Corrections delivers sharp insights, strategic advice, and real-world stories from the frontlines of business — helping owners navigate with clarity, confidence, and control.
Chapter Three
What the heck is a Fractional CFO?
And Why Your Business Might Need One
Words Without Explanation |
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You’ve probably seen it pop up in your feed —
“We provide Fractional CFO services…”
And you’ve maybe thought to yourself:
“Wot on earth is that?”
“And why do you assume I know what that actually means?”
It’s become a habit in business circles — throwing around titles and acronyms like FCFO, VUCA, RUPT, or BANI without the slightest pause to explain them.
As if understanding this stuff is a given — when really, most business owners are too busy doing the real work to keep up with every trendy label.
Want to know what VUCA, RUPT or BANI means? Check out my post on Instagram (or LinkedIn) for that one — it’s a cracker.
At Lost Digits, we do things differently. We believe in clarity over buzzwords, and insight over ego. So let’s strip it back and make it useful.
What is a Fractional CFO (FCFO)? |
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A Fractional CFO (Chief Financial Officer) is a senior finance expert who works with your business on a part-time, contract, or project basis.
You gain access to deep financial insight, structured guidance, and operational clarity — without the full-time cost or commitment.
Most importantly: a Fractional CFO doesn’t run your business or make decisions for you.
Their role is to inform, support, and enable you — the business owner — to lead with clarity.
🛠️ How Does It Work?
At Lost Digits, our Fractional CFO service is flexible. We might:
Help you interpret financials and reports
Build cash flow models, budgets or forecast capacity
Support you through growth, hiring, funding, organisational or cost reviews
We don’t make the calls. You do.
Our job is to make sure the decision in front of you is clear, the data behind it is real, and the options are visible and viable.
✅ Why Does It Work?
Many SMEs (and allied health practices - our speciality) face financial complexity — but they don’t have the size or budget for a full-time CFO.
Instead, they:
Feel uncertain about cash flow
Don’t know when (or how) to grow
Get caught out on compliance, performance and conformance
Struggle to translate the numbers into action
A Fractional CFO adds clarity. They help you:
See what’s really going on
Make considered, confident decisions
Avoid costly errors
Build business resilience
Unpack The Difference |
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🆚 What’s the Difference Between a CFO and a Fractional CFO?
CFO | Fractional CFO (FCFO) |
Full-time, salaried executive | Part-time or contract-based advisor |
Often limited to big businesses | Designed and tailored specifically for SMEs |
Large fixed cost | Flexible monthly investment |
May assume decision authority | Guides — but does not decide |
Internal leadership role | External strategic partner |
Return on Investment (ROI) |
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📈 What’s the ROI of a Fractional CFO?
Sure — technically, it’s an expense. But practically, a well-structured FCFO relationship can drive real return in cash, time, clarity, and confidence and organisational improvement.
Here’s what you could experience:
🔍 Reclaimed time and availability
💰 Recognise, review and cut unnecessary expenses
📊 Improved margins through cost of goods sold and pricing reviews
✔️ Improved operations or automations
🚨 Recognise and manage risk exposure
💡 Secured a loan by presenting strong forecasting
A Fractional CFO won’t make decisions for you —
but they’ll ensure you have what you need to make strong ones.
The Lost Digits FCFO Philosophy |
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You are the decision-maker. We are the support.
At Lost Digits, our Fractional CFO service is built to strengthen your ability to lead — not to lead for you.
We do not make decisions on your behalf.
We do not run your business.
Instead, we offer:
✔️ Clear, grounded financial insight
✔️ Structured guidance and scenario-based thinking
✔️ Strategic support — without interference
Our goal is to ensure you have the clarity, confidence, and context to make informed, responsible and reasonable decisions that align with your goals and responsibilities.
Because leadership isn’t about knowing everything —It’s about making smart, timely decisions with the right information behind them. That’s what we’re here for.
📞 Ready to Lead with Clarity?
If you’re not sure whether your business is ready for a CFO — fractional or otherwise — start with our 90-minute Business Health Check.
It’s the best way to understand your current position and what kind of support could help you move forward.
You lead. We help you lead well.
Reach out for a free 20-minute consult - let's get the ball rolling - let's see how we can help.
📞 0417 448 998
Till next time, cheers!
John
Lost Digits
Navigating Business.
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