National Council for Mental Wellbeing Strengthens Financial Foresight and Leadership With Fractional CFO Consulting

National Council for Mental Wellbeing Summary

Following the retirement of its long-tenured CFO, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing needed experienced financial leadership to help guide the organization forward. While the internal accounting team was strong and well established, leadership wanted additional oversight, validation and CFO-level strategy to ensure the organization remained financially prepared for future growth and complexity.

Preferred CFO was engaged to provide fractional CFO and CFO consulting support. Todd Kemp served as an experienced thought partner to leadership, helping the organization strengthen its financial planning, build multiyear forecasts and translate organizational vision into actionable financial models. The engagement brought a fresh perspective and enabled higher-level strategic discussions across leadership.

The Challenge

Although the organization had solid accounting processes and historical financial reporting in place, the CFO transition highlighted the need for more forward-looking financial leadership. Leadership sought assurance that the existing team had the bandwidth and skill set to manage future demands while also recognizing the need for deeper financial modeling and strategic planning.

Key Financial Challenges

• Retirement of a CFO who had served the organization for approximately 14 years

• Uncertainty around internal team capacity and oversight following the transition

• Strong accounting processes but limited focus on forecasting and financial modeling

• Lack of multiyear financial planning to support long-term strategy

• Need for CFO-level leadership to drive future-oriented financial discussions

• Desire for an external perspective to validate financial strategy and planning approach

The organization needed a financial partner who could complement the existing team while elevating the conversation around long-term financial direction.

The CFO Solution

Preferred CFO provided fractional CFO and CFO consulting support focused on strategic planning, forecasting and executive decision support. Working alongside the internal accounting team, Todd Kemp helped fill the leadership gap left by the retiring CFO while introducing forward-looking financial tools and frameworks.

Core CFO Solutions Implemented

Fractional CFO leadership during executive transition
Provided oversight and guidance to support continuity following the CFO’s retirement

Multiyear financial forecasting and modeling
Built financial forecasts that reflected the organization’s growth trajectory, priorities and long-term vision

KPI development and monitoring
Helped define and track key performance indicators aligned with organizational goals

Dashboards and executive presentations
Supported leadership with clear financial dashboards and presentations to enable informed decision-making

Strategic thought partnership
Brought an experienced, external perspective that encouraged new leadership discussions around financial strategy and future planning.

This partnership allowed the organization to quickly align financial planning with mission-driven goals while maintaining confidence in day-to-day financial operations.

The CFO Results

Preferred CFO’s involvement and guidance provided both stability and strategic lift during a critical period for the National Council of Mental Wellbeing.

Key Success & Results

• Maintained financial leadership continuity following CFO retirement

• Added CFO-level oversight without disrupting the internal accounting team

• Implemented multiyear financial forecasting aligned with organizational vision

• Improved leadership visibility into future financial scenarios

• Enabled more strategic, forward-looking leadership discussions

• Strengthened alignment between financial planning and mission objectives

• Provided an experienced thought partner for executive decision-making

Preferred CFO became a trusted extension of the organization’s leadership team during a pivotal transition and continues to assist with fractional CFO services to this day.

Looking Ahead

With improved financial forecasting, clearer KPIs and CFO-level strategic support in place, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is better positioned to plan for the future with confidence. The organization now operates with improved financial foresight that supports its mission, leadership decisions and long-term impact.

Comprehensive Case Study Summary

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing engaged Preferred CFO for fractional CFO and CFO consulting support following the retirement of its long-tenured CFO. Preferred CFO provided executive-level oversight, multiyear financial forecasting, KPI development and strategic thought partnership to complement the organization’s strong internal accounting team. The engagement shifted the organization toward forward-looking financial planning, enabling clearer leadership discussions, improved visibility into future scenarios, and stronger alignment between financial strategy and mission-driven goals.

At a Glance

Client: National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Partner: Preferred CFO
Industry: Mental Health and Behavioral Healthcare (Nonprofit)
Services Provided: Fractional CFO leadership, CFO consulting, multi-year forecasting, KPI development, strategic financial planning
Key Outcomes: CFO continuity, forward-looking financial strategy, improved forecasting, executive insight, leadership alignment
Location: United States