Fractional CFO services — strategic financial leadership built on reliable reporting and controls

Executive Financial Oversight

CFO Services Built on
Reliable Reporting and Controls

CFO support works best when the books, reporting, and decision-support infrastructure are strong enough to carry strategy.
We build that foundation first — then deliver the financial leadership that actually moves the business.

CFO support can underperform when strategy is layered onto weak reporting, inconsistent books, or missing financial infrastructure. We address that directly.

Montana-Based. Serving Clients Nationwide.

CFO Services start at $3,500/mo

For businesses doing $1M–$50M+ in revenue that are ready to build real financial leadership

Why Our CFO Clients Get Results Others Don't

And how 406 Consulting Group is different

1

The Industry Problem

“CFO” has become a broadly used term. The scope and depth of what gets delivered varies significantly — and not always in the client's favor.

2

The Root Cause: Uneven Business Maturity

Different areas of the business are at different maturity levels:

Financial Data Quality30%
Operational Visibility60%
Process & Accountability45%
3

The 406 Difference: We Build Before We Advise

We assess where you are, build what's missing, then deliver strategic leadership that transforms

Right-fit service recommendation
4

The Result: CFO Services That Transform

Every dollar of CFO investment delivers because the infrastructure supports it

“We don't just sell CFO services — we ensure they work.”

That's why our clients stay and our results speak for themselves.

This approach was shaped by someone who has seen what happens when strategy runs ahead of infrastructure — at a scale where the consequences were immediate.

Free Tools — Know Where You Stand Before We Talk

Not sure if you're ready for CFO-level guidance?

Our Business Maturity Assessment scores your financial infrastructure across six dimensions — giving you a clear picture of where you are and what needs to be built first. The Loan Qualification tool helps if growth capital is part of the conversation.

The 406 Maturity Assessment

This is our proprietary framework for ensuring every CFO engagement delivers.
We assess these five dimensions and build what's needed — so your investment pays off.

1
Trustworthy Data

Numbers you can rely on for decision-making

2
Operational Visibility

Clear line of sight into where resources are going

3
Process & Accountability

Systems that ensure follow-through and ownership

4
Financial Rhythm

Regular cadence for examining performance and trends

5
Leadership Alignment

Shared understanding of priorities and trade-offs

Ready for CFO Guidance

We help you build these conditions through our Controller Services — so you're ready for maximum impact.

What CFO Guidance Provides

CFO Services provide context and direction — not day-to-day management.

The role is to help leadership:

  • interpret the financial picture
  • evaluate trade-offs
  • assess risk
  • align decisions with long-term objectives

Strategic Perspective

High-level financial insight aligned to long-term direction.

Decision Framing

Evaluating options, trade-offs, and implications before major commitments.

Risk & Capital Awareness

Understanding exposure, capacity, and constraints.

Alignment & Governance

Ensuring financial decisions support the broader operating system.

Where CFO Guidance Fits

1

Foundation Services

Accurate data and compliance

2

Controller Services

Operational control and financial rhythm

3

Advisory Services

Targeted expertise during transition points

4

CFO Guidance

Strategic oversight once the system is mature

CFO guidance complements the system — it does not replace it.

The CFO Readiness Journey

The five dimensions we assess and strengthen — this is why our CFO clients get results

1

Stable Foundation

Trustworthy financial systems in place

2

Meaningful Impact

Leadership decisions have long-term weight

3

Strategic Trade-offs

Capital allocation matters more than speed

4

Future Perspective

Growth, transition, or exit planning needed

5

Team Alignment

Leadership needs perspective, not intervention

CFO-Ready Zone

All Gates Passed

When your business has cleared all five checkpoints, CFO guidance becomes transformational rather than theoretical.

Wherever you are on this journey, we'll meet you there and build the path forward.

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

“I Tried a Fractional CFO Before.It Didn't Work.”

We hear this more than you'd think. And we understand why. Here's what usually goes wrong — and why our model is different.

Why It Failed Last Time

  • Strategy without infrastructure

    They gave you advice but had no system to execute it. Reports piled up. Nothing changed.

  • No ownership of the data

    They relied on your team to produce numbers. But your team didn't have the tools or training.

  • Part-time attention, full-time problems

    A few hours a month isn't enough when your financials need daily discipline.

  • No foundation underneath

    They tried to build the roof before the walls. Without clean books and controls, CFO work is guesswork.

Why Our Model Is Different

  • We build the infrastructure first

    We don't start with strategy. We start with bookkeeping, controls, and reporting. Strategy comes after the system works.

  • We own the full stack

    From transaction entry to board-ready financials. One team, one system, one accountability chain.

  • Embedded, not advisory

    Our CFOs work inside your business rhythm — weekly cadences, monthly closes, quarterly planning. Not just quarterly check-ins.

  • Proven progression model

    You don't jump to CFO. You graduate to it. That's why our CFO clients get results — the foundation is already solid.

“A CFO without infrastructure is just expensive advice.”
That's why we assess, build, and then lead. In that order. Every time.

The Honest Comparison

In-House CFO vs. The 406 Model

A full-time CFO costs $200K–$350K+ in salary alone. Here's what you actually get with each option.

Annual Cost

In-House CFO

$200K–$350K+

salary + benefits + equity

406 Model

$42K–$72K/yr

$3,500–$6,000/mo

Availability

In-House CFO

Full-time, single company

but often pulled into operations

406 Model

Dedicated engagement

focused on strategic work only

Infrastructure Included?

In-House CFO

No

must build or hire separately

406 Model

Yes

bookkeeping, payroll, tax — all integrated

Breadth of Expertise

In-House CFO

One person's experience

limited to their background

406 Model

Full team's experience

across industries and stages

Ramp-Up Time

In-House CFO

3–6 months

recruiting + onboarding

406 Model

2–4 weeks

we already know your books

Risk if They Leave

In-House CFO

High

institutional knowledge walks out

406 Model

Low

systems and processes stay with you

Scales With You?

In-House CFO

Fixed cost regardless of need

overpay in slow periods

406 Model

Engagement adjusts to stage

pay for what you need, when you need it

The bottom line: An in-house CFO makes sense at $50M+ in revenue. Below that, you're paying for a title when you need a system.

Ready to Experience the Difference?

At $3,500+/month, CFO Services deliver the strategic financial leadership that separates industry leaders from everyone else. The businesses you admire? They made this investment. Get in Touch and we'll show you exactly where you stand and what's possible.

Get in Touch

Want to see CFO-level work in action? Read how we provided interim CFO support through Big 4 diligence and a cross-border acquisition →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a fractional CFO actually do?
A fractional CFO provides strategic financial leadership on a part-time basis — forecasting, capital planning, investor relations, M&A preparation, board reporting, and financial decision support. The key difference from a controller: a CFO is forward-looking, not just backward-looking.
How is a fractional CFO different from a full-time CFO?
A fractional CFO provides the same strategic capability at a fraction of the cost — typically 10–25% of a full-time CFO salary. You get senior-level expertise without the overhead of a full-time hire, which makes sense for most businesses under $20M in revenue.
When do I need a CFO vs. a controller?
If you need financial reporting and accountability, start with a controller. If you need strategic guidance — fundraising, acquisitions, exit planning, or navigating a major inflection point — you need a CFO. Many of our clients have both.
Do you work with investors or boards?
Yes. We prepare board-ready financial packages, support investor due diligence, and can present at board meetings. We've worked with businesses at every stage from Series A to pre-exit.
What's the minimum engagement for CFO services?
Most CFO engagements start at $3,500/month for 8–10 hours of strategic work per month. The right scope depends on what decisions you're facing and how much financial infrastructure is already in place.
Exit Planning & M&A Readiness

Building a Business Worth Selling

Most business owners think about selling their company 2–3 years too late. The financial infrastructure that makes a business attractive to buyers — clean books, normalized earnings, documented processes, and a management team that doesn't depend on the owner — takes years to build. We help you build it now, whether you plan to sell in 2 years or 10.

Our CFO clients who are preparing for an exit get a dedicated track: EBITDA normalization, quality of earnings preparation, due diligence readiness, and buyer narrative development. We've supported transactions from $2M to $25M in enterprise value.

Discuss Your Exit Timeline
EBITDA Normalization
Remove owner compensation, one-time expenses, and non-recurring items to show true earning power
Quality of Earnings Prep
Prepare your financials to withstand buyer due diligence — the same review a PE firm would conduct
Owner Dependency Reduction
Document processes, build management depth, and create a business that runs without you
Buyer Narrative Development
Frame your financial story — growth trajectory, margin expansion, and market position — for maximum valuation