What to Expect During Your First 90 Days With a Fractional CFO

A Step-by-Step Breakdown of the First Three Months

Introduction: Strategic Support Starts Here

Hiring a fractional CFO is one of the smartest decisions a growing business can make—but many business owners aren’t sure what happens after they say “yes.”

The first 90 days set the tone for everything that follows. It’s where cleanup happens, systems get set up, and real clarity begins.

In this article, we’ll walk you through exactly what to expect in the first three months with a fractional CFO—so you can hit the ground running and maximize the value from day one.

Month 1: Discovery, Cleanup & Foundation

The first month is all about understanding your business and setting the groundwork.

🔹 Kickoff Meeting & Deep-Dive Discovery

Your fractional CFO will meet with you (and your team, if needed) to understand:

• Business model and revenue streams

• Current challenges and growth goals

• Internal systems (bookkeeping, CRM, inventory, payroll, etc.)

• Financial pain points and blind spots

They’ll ask questions and gather access to key financial tools like QuickBooks, Xero, or bank accounts.

🔹 Review & Cleanup of Financials

If your financials are messy, behind, or hard to interpret, this is the time to fix it. Expect:

• Cleanup of chart of accounts

• Review of categorized transactions

• Balance sheet corrections

• Reconciliation of accounts

• Ensuring reports are accurate and up to date

This “clean slate” is essential for building accurate forecasts and reports in Month 2.

🔹 Initial Reporting Setup

The CFO will set up your first dashboards and monthly financial reports, including:

• Profit & Loss (P&L)

• Balance Sheet

• Cash Flow Statement

• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

You’ll start seeing your numbers clearly for the first time.

Month 2: Reporting, Forecasting & Analysis

With the foundation laid, your CFO begins focusing on insight and strategy.

🔹 Budgeting & Forecasting

They’ll develop a detailed, forward-looking financial forecast based on:

• Sales trends and seasonality

• Cost structures

• Staffing plans

• Growth assumptions

This includes cash flow forecasting—so you know exactly when and where money moves in and out.

🔹 KPI Tracking & Dashboard Building

The CFO will identify your most critical metrics and build:

• A customized KPI dashboard

• Weekly or monthly reporting cycles

• Visual tools to help track trends and make better decisions

These dashboards make complex financials easy to understand at a glance.

🔹 Cost & Profitability Review

Now’s the time to dive deep into:

• Product/service margins

• Expense ratios

• Break-even points

• Areas of overspending or inefficiency

You’ll finally get answers to questions like:

• “Which of my services are really profitable?”

• “Can I afford to hire another employee?”

• “Where can I cut costs without hurting the business?”

Month 3: Strategy, Execution & Momentum

Now that financial clarity is in place, your CFO moves into growth strategy and ongoing execution.

🔹 Strategic Financial Planning

The CFO will start helping you:

• Set revenue and profitability targets

• Plan for major decisions (like hiring, expansion, capital needs)

• Analyze different growth scenarios

• Prioritize financial goals for the next 6–12 months

This is where they go from “cleaning things up” to driving value.

🔹 Regular Check-ins & Decision Support

By now, you’ll have weekly or biweekly meetings to:

• Review updated reports and dashboards

• Evaluate progress toward goals

• Adjust forecasts and budgets as needed

• Get real-time support for financial decisions

The CFO becomes your trusted advisor—not just a numbers person.

What’s Included in the First 90 Days?

✅ Clean, accurate, investor-ready financials✅ Forecasts and budgets that match your goals✅ Real visibility into cash flow and performance✅ Systems for recurring financial reports✅ A strategic plan tailored to your business✅ Confidence in every financial decision you make

Common Questions Business Owners Ask

“How many hours will my CFO work each month?”Typically 5–20 hours, depending on your needs and engagement level.

“Will they replace my bookkeeper or accountant?”No—they work alongside them to add strategy and clarity.

“Do I need to have clean books before hiring a CFO?”Nope. Cleaning them up is often the first step of the engagement.

Final Thoughts: The First 90 Days Lay the Foundation for Growth

The first three months with a fractional CFO are about more than just getting your numbers in order—they’re about building the financial engine that will drive your business forward.

By the end of 90 days, you’ll have a clear picture of your finances, a plan for the future, and a strategic partner to help you execute it.