Founders Forum Group’s Post

airCFO’s mission is to help startups succeed. In 2024, we are leveling up our services so we can support founders across a wider range of their internal infrastructure. Here’s what’s new at airCFO this year: 🙋♂️ People Ops Advisory: A strong People Ops function creates an exceptional employee experience which leads to lower attrition and a more effective organization. Our People Ops playbook is perfect for any early-stage startup that doesn’t have a dedicated People resource on staff but wants to invest in their most important asset (their team!) 💸 Fractional CFO: We’re excited to introduce Sebastien as airCFO’s newest Fractional CFO! Sebastien’s deep experience as a Finance Executive at hypergrowth startups will allow us to provide true “Fractional CFO”-level services and support Finance clients further into their startup journeys. 📊 Sales Tax: We’re partnering with a sales tax platform that will allow our team to provide clients with integrated sales tax reporting and compliance. Connect with us to learn more!

In a scaleup environment, the right CFO should be transformative and the key to unlocking growth. But how do you find the right one? And how much will you need to pay them? Swipe through the slides below for some of our top scaleup CFO attributes, our latest compensation data, plus a peek behind the curtain of one of our CFO searches. 👀 #scaleup #startup #cfo

As a startup founder, you know that finding the perfect CFO - one who understands your business from top to bottom and can maximize long-term value - is essential. But hiring a full-time executive can be daunting. This is where Fractional CFOs come in. Check out our blog and discover our top picks for Fractional CFOS! https://hubs.ly/Q02tdR4S0 Launch Finance GrowthLab Finance-as-a-Service Punch Financial Full Send Finance Bright Balance Mighty Financial Countabl Next Round CFO Cherry Hill Advisory Ziegler & Associates Adventum Astero Group Startup Tandem, Inc. AVL Growth Partners Ignition Consultants (CFOs) Know other fractional CFOs who should be on the list? Leave us a comment below! #CFO #Finance #Fintech #Startups #Business #Partners #Accounting

The biggest myth that I have been working to bust every day working with startups and the venture ecosystem is that a CFO is THE golden bullet that will solve all of the startup's finance challenges. Truth be told, a CFO can be pretty ineffective if he/she does not have a great financial controller supporting them. Think about it. If a company's accounting data is not being recorded consistently, accurately, and with the right level of granularity, how can a CFO ever provide any helpful strategic insights? Over the last 2 years running Finprojections providing CFO advisory services, I have grown a huge respect for what controllers do and how essential they are. We no longer go into client engagements without a controller on board, and they are an essential part of our service delivery team. Here is to the hidden heros who make all CFOs look good! #financialcontroller #fractionalCFO #startups #advisory #virtualCFO #startupfinance

They always say, "you need to know your numbers!" But what does that even mean? Startups need to understand financial operations and strategic finance. They don't need a full time CFO. They need a fractional CFO who understands early stage companies. 8 reasons you need a fractional CFO. Let me know if I missed any... #fractionalcfo #startup #finance

Titles like CFO, VP, and Director are just that—titles. They don't define the individual. Without vision, a person in these roles is merely a number cruncher. But what is vision? It's not just extraordinary insight like X-ray vision; it's about being a strategic visionary who sees the big picture. This person must be a big-picture thinker who understands every aspect of the business and can think strategically. They need to be creative, understand best practices, and piece together the working puzzle of a business to create more value for the company.

We are in the midst of one of the most significant #venturecapital slumps since the ’09 financial crisis. I recently posted about the importance of VCs fulfilling their roles and meeting their responsibilities by continuing to invest in promising companies (both new and, importantly, follow-on rounds.) In the last major financial crisis, Sequoia Capital advised entrepreneurs to batten down the hatches, and I agreed with that. The general idea here is that it takes two to tango. Entrepreneurs and VCs each need to do the dance. As I recall, Sequoia’s mandate to its portfolio companies was slow spending, stop hiring, rethink and rewrite operating plans, restructure funding expectations and timelines, reduce headcount, cut salaries, rethink stock options grants, table non-vital projects, and more.   We know every innovator thinks their technology is the best and warrants outsized investment levels. In reality, the winners will be those who recognize they need to cut back, and how much they need to cut back, who do less with less and figure out how to bootstrap their way to revenues wherever possible, and more.    As a CEO, I never quite had to #restructure a company to that extent, but I came close, and I know restructuring is not typically in the entrepreneur’s toolkit, nor is it easy. I was leading a company whose product was taken off the market suddenly and unexpectedly, practically in one day. The next day, I walked in and told my bosses at Eli Lilly and Company, which had just acquired us, that I was going to cut forty percent of our overhead. I fully planned to do it, but Lilly told me not to cut a soul. While amazing, it was an atypical response.   I do know firsthand, as a #boardmember, the difficulties of restructuring everything. As difficult as it was, it can be done, it must be done, and the companies that emerge are better off for it.   It takes two to tango. VCs need to pony up more capital more often and with more creativity to fulfill their roles; they need to infuse less panic, and more wisdom and support. Simultaneously, #innovators need to do their part and look long and hard at how they spend investors’ money.   Jay Watkins Kate Garrett Fred Moll #leadership #entrepreneurship

Startup CEO, Are you preparing for a pre-seed funding round or considering larger investment rounds to expand your business? We understand that this is a critical phase in your company's growth trajectory, and selecting the right financial partner can be crucial to your success. Finay's CFO services are designed to support you on this journey. We recognize that the role of a CFO goes beyond just crunching numbers; they are also strategic advisors who help establish a solid foundation for your company's finances. When your company's numbers are in good shape, it increases confidence among potential investors and helps you attract the funding you desire. But what if you need more than just financial expertise and number presentation? We understand that timing and strategy are paramount. That's why we offer not only financial expertise but also coaching and advice. We are here to help you analyze markets, evaluate competitive landscapes, and assess the best financing options for your company. Now is a crucial time to make the right decisions for your company's future. So why not take the first step on the road to success and rely on Finay's CFO services? We'll help you navigate the challenges of funding rounds and share the burden, allowing you to focus on what matters most – growing your business. Contact us today and let us help you achieve your goals. https://lnkd.in/enBwTCwA #Startups #VC #CFO

Going into 2024, startups based out of the Middle East seem primed for success. Founders, however, must keep top of mind their choice of a chief financial officer (CFO)- or risk squandering their competitive edge at this critical juncture of growth. Heidrick & Struggles Partner Tom Clarke explains why--and what entrepreneurial leaders should be looking for in their CFOs: https://lnkd.in/dz2gqubE

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗙𝗢'𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽𝘀 🚀 In the latest interview with El Referente, Jaime Medina discussed the CFO role, which is to optimize financial resources, attract investors with solid reports and transparent management, and address cash flow issues. He emphasized data-driven decision-making, and in growth phases, a CFO has to ensure financial scalability and risk management. According to Jaime, the role of the CFO has evolved in startups, 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱-𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. Startups face unique financial challenges, such as managing limited funds and attracting investments, which a CFO addresses through strong financial management and identifying suitable sources of funding. 👉 https://lnkd.in/dEM45Y-m To excel as a CFO in startups, one needs strong 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀, adaptability, and a focus on solving strategic problems. Learn more about how to drive your business toward sustainable growth in 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆’s Startup Finance course. Sign up now 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dpHR5gDf