CFO for Scale-ups

Turn growth into control without slowing down

Scale-ups win by moving fast — but finance must keep up. CFO Excellence supports scale-ups with CFO leadership to improve cash visibility, implement reliable forecasting, build a clear KPI cadence, and scale the finance function so the business can grow with confidence.

Typical profile: founder-led or management-led scale-ups with rising complexity and stakeholder expectations.

Typical triggers: cash surprises, unreliable forecast, messy KPIs, fundraising prep, finance team outgrowing its structure.

How it works Book a 30-minute call

Why finance breaks during scale

In early stages, intuition and hustle compensate for weak financial structure. During scale, that stops working — complexity grows faster than the finance setup.

Growth creates noise: more products, markets, channels and complexity.
Data fragments: inconsistent KPIs, multiple “truths”, slow close.
Cash becomes non-linear: working capital, billing, seasonality, investment peaks.
Stakeholders raise the bar: investors, banks and boards want clarity and cadence.

A scale-up CFO’s job is to keep speed — while upgrading clarity, control and decision quality.

Typical CFO support models

Fractional CFO: part-time leadership (often 1–3 days/week) to build the function over time.
Interim CFO: full focus for intense transitions (fundraising, integration, leadership gaps).

The goal is not “more reporting”. The goal is clear choices, fewer surprises, and execution with accountability.

Common scale-up pain points

If you recognise two or more of these, you are likely past the point where a controller-only setup is sufficient.

Cash surprises

You’re profitable “on paper” but cash is unpredictable.

No reliable short-term cash forecast.
Working capital not managed as a system.
Investment decisions made without cash scenarios.

Forecasting theatre

Forecasts exist, but don’t influence decisions.

Drivers are unclear and ownership is missing.
Forecasting is spreadsheet-heavy and slow.
Forecast updates arrive too late to act.

KPI ambiguity

Teams debate the numbers instead of the actions.

Multiple KPI definitions and sources.
Weak unit economics (CAC/LTV, contribution margins, cost-to-serve).
No accountability rhythm with owners and thresholds.

Outcomes you should expect

A scale-up CFO engagement should quickly create practical clarity — then build capability that stays. Typical outcomes within 60–120 days:

Primary outcome

Cash visibility you trust

No surprises. Clear decision rules.

13-week cash forecast with weekly cadence.
Working capital priorities with owners and targets.
Decision rules for hiring, capex and growth spend.

Forecasting that drives decisions

Drivers, ownership, action.

Driver-based forecast with scenarios.
Monthly rhythm: actuals → insights → actions → updated outlook.
Clear KPI owners and review cadence.

Finance function that scales

Role clarity and minimum standards.

Role clarity across FP&A, control, finance ops, partnering.
Close/reporting improvements with minimum control standards.
Hiring roadmap: what to add now vs later.

How we work with scale-ups

Scale-ups need speed and pragmatism. The structure below keeps momentum while building durable capability.

Phase

Typical duration

What we do

1) Diagnose & align
Make the agenda explicit and prioritised.

Weeks 1–2

Cash reality check, KPI definitions, forecasting maturity, close/reporting rhythm, stakeholder needs. Define a 60–90 day plan with 3–5 priorities.

2) Stabilise cadence
Create rhythm and ownership.

Weeks 3–8

Implement cash cadence, driver-based forecast, KPI owners, and management routines that lead to actions. Set minimum reporting and control standards.

3) Build and scale
Embed capability in team and processes.

Months 3–12+

Finance operating model, role clarity, hiring plan, systems/process improvements, and board/investor reporting suited to the next stage of growth.

4) Transition
Sustain results after the engagement.

Last 4–8 weeks

Handover to permanent CFO or strengthened internal leadership. Transfer standards, routines, context and roadmaps.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions from founders and leadership teams in scale-ups.

When does a scale-up need a CFO?

Usually when growth outpaces financial clarity: cash surprises occur, forecasting becomes unreliable, stakeholder expectations rise, or the finance team needs stronger leadership, structure and standards.

What does a scale-up CFO focus on first?

Cash visibility, a forecasting cadence that drives decisions, KPI definitions with ownership, and a close/reporting rhythm that is fast and reliable enough to run the business.

Is fractional or interim better for scale-ups?

Interim is best for urgent transitions or intense periods (fundraising, restructuring, integration). Fractional is best for sustained CFO leadership part-time (often 1–3 days/week) while the company scales its finance function.

Can you support fundraising or banking processes?

Yes. Typical support includes shaping the financial story, building or stress-testing the model, improving KPI clarity, and preparing data and reporting for investor/bank scrutiny.

What’s the difference between a CFO and a strong controller?

Controllers ensure accuracy and compliance. CFOs translate strategy into financial priorities, trade-offs and decisions—connecting cash, performance, governance and stakeholder management into one coherent agenda.

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