Business Processes & Strategies
Fractional CFO and Business Advisory Support in Atlanta
Your company may have outgrown basic bookkeeping without yet needing a full-time chief financial officer. We provide part-time senior financial leadership and general advising, so you have someone to think through the numbers with you.
A fractional CFO fills the gap between a bookkeeper who records what happened and an executive who helps decide what to do next. For many small and mid-sized companies, a full-time CFO is more than the business needs. We step in part time to oversee financial reporting, cash flow, budgets and forecasts, and to make sure the numbers reach the owner in a form that supports decisions.
In practice, that can mean reviewing monthly results with you, managing a rolling cash forecast, preparing for a bank conversation, thinking through pricing, or weighing whether a new hire or location makes sense financially. We also serve as a general business advisor, a sounding board for the questions owners often carry alone. We bring experience with retail, healthcare, technology, manufacturing and small businesses, and we tell you plainly what we see.
The scope stays focused on running your business. We do not provide investment advice, financial planning, health plans or retirement plans. Tax disputes go to an authorized representative of your choosing, and legal questions go to an attorney. Engagements can be monthly or by project, and the level of involvement can rise during a busy stretch and settle back down when things are steady.
Who this is for
- Owners making large decisions without senior financial input
- Companies with a bookkeeper but no one interpreting the numbers
- Growing businesses facing tighter cash as they expand
- Companies preparing for a loan request or major purchase
- Owners who want an experienced sounding board
How Proactive Strategies helps
Assess the current picture
We review your statements, cash position, staffing and the decisions on your desk.
Set the priorities
Together we choose the few financial issues most worth your attention right now.
Build your reporting rhythm
You get consistent reports and forecasts, with a regular meeting to go over them.
Advise as decisions arise
We work through pricing, hiring, spending and other questions using your real numbers.
Strengthen the finance function
We improve procedures and train your staff, so your team grows more capable over time.
In Georgia
Consultations happen by phone, online or by appointment, which suits owners across metro Atlanta and south metro communities who have little spare time. Part of our oversight includes keeping Georgia obligations in view, such as state tax accounts, payroll withholding and annual Secretary of State registration, so these items appear on your financial calendar.
How we work
What working together looks like
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Initial Consultation
A conversation about where you are, what is on your mind and what you would like to accomplish.
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Needs Assessment
We review the details, documents and priorities that matter to your situation.
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Strategic Recommendations
You receive clear, practical recommendations and a sensible order for acting on them.
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Implementation Support
We help put the plan in motion, organizing the work and coordinating with the people involved.
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Ongoing Guidance
As your business and life change, we stay available to revisit decisions and keep things on track.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Have a question that is not answered here? Book a consultation and ask us directly.
What does a fractional CFO do that a bookkeeper does not?
A bookkeeper records transactions and keeps the books accurate. A fractional CFO uses those records to look ahead, manage cash, build budgets, review pricing and support decisions. A healthy company often needs both, and we work alongside your existing bookkeeper or accountant rather than replacing them.
When is a business ready for fractional CFO support?
Common signs include growing sales with tighter cash, major decisions being made on instinct, or a bank asking for projections you cannot produce. If your books are current but you still feel unsure where the company is heading, part-time financial leadership may be a sensible next step.
How often would we meet with a fractional CFO?
Many owners find a regular monthly review works well, with extra conversations when a decision comes up. A company in a tight cash stretch may need weekly contact for a while. We settle on a rhythm at the start and adjust it as your needs change.
Will you give advice about my investments or personal finances?
No. Our work focuses on how your company operates and performs. We do not provide investment advice, financial planning, health plans or retirement plans. If those questions come up, we suggest speaking with an appropriate professional of your own choosing, and we can keep your business records organized.
Can a fractional CFO work with my current accountant?
Yes, and we would expect to. Your accountant can continue handling the work you already rely on, while we focus on reporting, forecasts and decision support. Keeping everyone working from the same organized records prevents duplicated effort and reduces year-end questions.