INSIGHTS & ARTICLES
Explore some of the most recent articles by our CFOs.
FEATURED ARTICLE
How Ignorance of HR Laws Can Destroy Your Business
The stakes are high for business owners who neglect HR laws. The financial and reputational damage from a lawsuit can be irreparable.
RECENT INSIGHTS & ARTICLES
Customers Create Success, Not Investors
Success is meeting a customer’s need. Too many think of success as having money, but that’s not true success. True success is having a product that meets customers needs, and a proven method for customers to pay for and consume that product. So why do so many feel...
Why You Should Consider A Lower Initial Valuation
I recently read an interesting post at entrepreneur.com arguing the down side of a mega valuation when raising initial capital. During the read, I quickly recognized that the author was a venture capitalist himself. Despite my recognition of the inherent conflict of...
Creating the Perfect Pitch – The Engaging Pitch
I hope that you all had a chance to participate at the UVEF Hot Seat: Perfect Pitch event in April. In case you missed it, I felt that Preferred CFO had an obligation to its friends and contacts to share some of the wisdom shared at the event. John Pilmer of Pilmer...
Ratios, Relationship, and Reports – The Three R’s to Successfully Working with a Bank
Far too many business owners ask themselves, “What’s the bare minimum that I need to do to borrow money from a bank?” If you’re one of those people, please stop that train of thought right there. Instead, you should be viewing your bank, or any lender for that matter,...
Outsourcing Your CFO Function, or Outsourcing Your Laundry?
Running around all the time while being busy with work has left me recently wishing I had a better diet. There’s just not enough time to be busy and eat well it seems. Being the problem-solver that I am, it got me thinking about the issue and a potential outsourced...
The Five Don’ts of Venture Funding
A few weeks ago I opened up the discussion of venture funding. Yes, that black box of enigmatic Pandora proportions that many attempt to open but few are successful. If you’re reading this article, then you’ve likely decided that raising funding is in your future. ...
When Should I Raise Money Part 1
by Dave Sherwin This week I was approached by a friend with that series of questions that every entrepreneur faces at one point or another, “Should I entertain raising investment money for my business idea? And if I do, what are some things I should be aware of and...
8 Tips for Valuable Cash Projections: Avoiding the Situation that Sinks too Many Companies
Part 2 of 3: Critical Contract CFO Components Most Small Businesses are Missing A cash flow projection infuses life into the static numbers of your budget by inserting in the element that moves most, cash. A cash projection is an ever-changing picture of the moments...
7 Ways Budget to Actual Comparing Saves Businesses, Marriages, and Could Have Saved the Government
Part 1 of 3: Critical Contract CFO Components Most Small Businesses are Missing Quite literally, budgeting saves things. But what is most critical for meaningful results is that the budget process is more than just whimsically concocting a budget as you would a...
Accrual Basis – A CFO for Hire’s Secret Weapon
CFO for Hire Secret Weapon -- Accrual Basis Accounting vs a Tax Accountant’s Cash Basis You’ve probably already found out as a business owner that accounting can be complex. This article will break down the value of a CFO for Hire from the perspective of accrual vs...
How do I find a bookkeeper for my business? Or should I hire an accountant?
How do I find a bookkeeper for my growing business? Should I just hire an accountant? Bookkeeper vs Accountant While these questions seem related, interestingly enough, they aren’t as much as you think. Hiring a bookkeeper does not replace the need for an accountant,...
Accounting Help for Non Profit Organizations: Cash Flow & The Not for Profit Misnomer
Cash flow is the number one problem and concern that non-profits face with their finances. In this article we’ll hit on a core philosophical change that must occur in order to fix cash flow problems, and provide accounting help for non profit organizations. Too many...
Do Small Businesses Need a CFO?
Your initial instinct is that a CFO at a $200,000 per year salary isn’t relevant for your small business. And I would agree with you. But before we stop there, let’s consider what a chief financial officer does, or their major responsibilities so we can understand...