Nathan Oujezdsky

What other questions do you have about private equity, interim CFOs, or executive search? Drop in the comments below or message me directly.

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At Tanner LLC we work with a lot of technology companies and the subject software capitalization is always point of discussion. It is US GAAP, but we understand most investors just consider it a complication in the P&L and its hard to track and implement. The FASB board agreed this week to explore ways to simplify this GAAP, which would be welcomed. Below is a short summary of what they released. The Board decided to pursue targeted improvements to Subtopic 350-40, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software. Specifically, the Board decided to: 1. Specify that the costs of software that has unresolved high-risk development issues would be accounted for as research and development (R&D) expenses in accordance with Subtopic 730-10, Research and Development—Overall 2. Clarify the starting capitalization threshold for nonlinear software development, including: a. Remove the requirement for an entity to evaluate the preliminary project stage and application development stage when determining the starting point for capitalization b. Require that an entity consider significant unresolved development uncertainties if it is unclear that it is probable that a project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended. The Board decided not to further pursue a single model for recognition and measurement of software costs, which the Board had discussed previously, and decided not to make targeted improvements for recognition and measurement to Subtopic 985-20, Software—Costs of Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Marketed.

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I've been asked about a rapidly growing segment of the fractional CFO market - people or firms providing CFO Services, or a subset of what a full or part-time CFO would do. "Why would I want to work with one of those firms instead of with someone like you who is an experienced CFO?" It depends. If you are a small business and outsource your bookkeeping to a firm who can now provide you reports, dashboards, and high-level financial advice, it is well worth the extra expense. If you are a small business with just a bookkeeper and a CFO Services firm offers to import your Quickbooks data and create meaningful financial reports and meet with you on a regular basis to understand what they're telling you, that is also a good thing and most likely worth the expense. If you work with a CFO firm that has multiple clients the same type as your business, having them interpret your financials and KPIs is invaluable. If you've never used cash flow projections in your business, there's someone out there to do it for you. It doesn't always have to be someone with a CFO background. By contrast, if you are a large enough business to have an actually accounting staff with a controller, or have an ERP system, or have 7 figures of debt, or are rapidly growing, or have venture capital debt or outside investors, you probably need someone with a CFO background. Working on a fractional basis with someone experienced as a CFO is not always necessary. But it is important to match the person's skill set and background to each company's size and priorities. Any other thoughts on this?

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Meme stocks are forcing companies to rethink investor relations. It's no longer just about the big players; retail investors & online communities are wielding real influence. CFOs need to adapt! Thanks for sharing, Secret CFO!

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The term "Fractional CFO" is thrown around a lot, but it's actually a catch-all for five distinct specialties: 🗺 Scenario Builder 💰 Fundraiser 🔨 Operator ➗ High-Level Controller 🤝 M&A Specialist Sure, the term "Fractional CFO" is easier to search for on Google and LinkedIn, but it doesn’t really tell you what these professionals do, which can make your search inefficient. Let’s dive into these five specialties and their typical backgrounds to help you find the right fit: 🗺 Scenario Builder Specialty: Transforming assumptions into actionable forecasts. Typical Background: Investment bankers and PE professionals with strong Excel skills. 💰 Fundraiser Specialty: Expert at securing capital through various channels, using compelling storytelling. Typical Background: Investment bankers and VCs with a history of successful raises and strong investor networks. 🔨 Operator Specialty: Aligning and executing model scenarios with on-the-ground realities. Typical Background: Experience in in-house operations/strategy along with a financial background. ➗ High-Level Controller Specialty: Managing complex accounting processes like tax and international compliance. Typical Background: Accountants with controller experience in scaling in-house financial operations. 🤝 M&A Specialist Specialty: Buying, merging, and selling companies with a strong negotiation and valuation skill set. Typical Background: Investment banking or private equity with substantial deal experience. Understanding these distinct specialties will help you find the right Fractional CFO to meet your needs and propel your business forward. If you're looking for a fractional CFO specialist, feel free to reach out—I’d be happy to chat privately! #CFO #FractionalCFO #FinancialStrategy #Founders #Fundraising #OperationalExcellence #FinancialController #ScenarioBuilder

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An alarming amount of finance leaders Are being asked to do questionable things Like cutting corners and inflating revenue… The market is tough right now. And many companies are strained for cash. But that’s never an excuse to ask your finance leader to be “creative”. GAAP exists for a reason. If you’re asking your finance leader to bend the rules… Then you’re asking them to be unethical. Which puts them in a really tricky spot. > Do they speak up and risk losing their job? > Or keep quiet and go against their better judgment? Being unethical has a huge mental toll on people. And if you’re a company asking your finance team to do questionable things… They’ll probably be on their way out soon. Listen to your finance leaders, and work together to find a solution. Instead of burning bridges, you can find something acceptable to you both. Without compromising anyone’s values.

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If you’re a finance or accounting professional generating less than 6 figures per year: I’m now sharing the blueprint I’ve used to expand my fractional CFO practice to 200K a year in my 5 Day Noble CFO Challenge. That includes The Noble CFO System, a program that shows you how to: → Explore what drives you to become a consulting CFO. → Dive deep into choosing the right industries and company sizes. → Identify and target profitable niches for focused success. → Learn to pinpoint what your clients truly need. → Implement pricing strategies that reflect your worth. This same program has helped me generate $1.45M in gross earnings since leaving the W2 world. All for $0. 4 days left to sign up. Interested in joining? Visit challenge.thenoblecfo.com to secure your place in "The Noble CFO Challenge."

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Many people jump into the fractional CFO career and do remarkably well. Many more people jump into the fractional CFO career and do poorly, or it takes them a year or two to become self-sustaining. The ones who do well are the ones you read about on LinkedIn. The ones who are not doing well do not post about how they're doing on LinkedIn - you might think they were doing great based on their posts. But I know you're out there because I talk to a number of you. You started off excited, watching podcasts, videos, and masterclasses, and what they tell you to do - just...doesn't...work...for...you. Now is the time for you to do 1 on 1 coaching. I know you don't want to spend more money and time after putting all the time and money already into the above-mentioned stuff. But you're probably in a rut that needs personalized attention to get out of. I have a 1 on 1 coaching package targeted specifically toward people who are already fractional CFOs and not living up to your own expectations. There is an established structure but you can move at your own pace and we can modify the agenda to suit your needs. Most importantly, I take ownership of you being successful. I will beat myself up if you are not successful at the end of our time together. https://lnkd.in/ekTWqGcz

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Advice from a CFO Who’s Crushed 4 PE Deals ⤵️ In a recent Thrive Q&A, Robert (Bob) Gold shared what it takes to succeed as a CFO in private equity: "The skillsets are just so different...You need to laser focus on inbound and outbound cash and be very adept at liquidity management." In PE, managing cash flow and liquidity is more critical than exit experience. Bob highlighted 3 key priorities: 1️⃣ Collect Fast, Pay Slow: Speed up receivables and strategically manage payables to boost cash flow. 2️⃣ Focus on Liquidity: Always ensure enough cash for growth and obligations. 3️⃣ Optimize Working Capital: Manage receivables, payables, and inventory efficiently to drive value. 💡 Want more insights like this? Join our newsletter for exclusive advice from PE leaders: https://lnkd.in/eQ3YZp8w 

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CFO Optimism survey results from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond: "When asked between May 13 and June 3 to rate optimism about the overall U.S. economy on a scale from 0 to 100, the average rating from CFOs was 60.6, remaining unchanged from the level of optimism in the first quarter of the year." I would say my clients and other SMBs I talk with or hear about via grapevine have a similar consistent optimism about their own businesses. The business is moving along well, with a cautious belief that it will continue. #capitisadvisors #fractionalCFO #CFO #smallbusinesses #finance #budgetyourbusinesspodcast

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Is your CFO a True Business Partner or Just a Glorified Accountant ? In today's business landscape, having a *competent, forward-looking partner* as a Fractional CFO often brings far more value than a full-time CFO who lacks these traits. It's about impact—not just titles. A Fractional CFO serves as a strategic advisor, translating financial data into the language of the business. They provide *early warning signals*, conduct in-depth *cost-benefit analyses*, and present options with a holistic view of both strategy and numbers. This proactive approach empowers business leaders with clear insights and actionable recommendations. When a CFO is merely a "glorified accountant," you miss out on the *real value* of the CFO role: business partnership, strategic insight, and risk mitigation. Not every company needs or can afford a full-time CFO, but with the *Fractional CFO model*, you get high-level expertise tailored to your needs and budget. Why settle for a namesake title when you can have a true partner in growth? Brain Expansion Group The CFO Leadership Council CFO Selections The CFO Centre Canada ************************************************** P.S. : I am a Fractional CFO helping Businesses take informed financial decisions with peace of mind while having some fun in this process. Please contact me at abhi_lahiri@moneynmind.fun, if I can be of any help. #FractionalCFO #StrategicFinance #BusinessPartnering #FinancialLeadership #GrowthMindset #CostBenefitAnalysis #ForwardLooking #EarlyWarning

The Fractional CFO Power Skills Mastermind course exceeded my expectations and is a Maven Top 100 Course.  Carl Seidman, CSP, CPA and Amy Vetter, CPA, CSP, CGMA, RYT provided a wealth of knowledge and insights that deeply enhanced my understanding of the Fractional CFO role. The course covered all aspects of starting or growing a Fractional CFO / Client Accounting and Advisory (CAS) business from personal branding and pricing to technology and client experience. Key Highlights: - Positioning and Specialization: Building expertise and strong personal brand. - Finance Technology: Leveraging the latest tools and technologies in finance. - Client Management: Handling client relationships and managing personalities. - Dynamic Data Management: Techniques for managing and presenting dynamic financial data. - Strategic Financial Mapping: Creating financial strategies and tracking key performance indicators. - Marketing and Pricing: Effective strategies for marketing and pricing your services. - Cherished Advisor Journey: Improve your communication skills and learn the journey to becoming a cherished advisor. The interactive and engaging format, with breakout sessions and active involvement, ensured practical knowledge and meaningful conversations. The experiences shared by Carl and Amy were invaluable. This course is perfect for aspiring Fractional CFOs, CAS professionals, CPAs, and FP&A advisors or those looking to improve their existing fractional advisory practice. I highly recommend it for its comprehensive and practical approach to building a successful business. As a Maven Top 100 Course, it is offering a 25% discount (ends Sunday June 9th). Use the code MAVEN100 at checkout. The next cohort kicks off on July 15th!  Don’t miss this incredible opportunity. Check out the course: The Fractional CFO Power Skills Mastermind by Carl Seidman, CSP, CPA and Amy Vetter, CPA, CSP, CGMA, RYT, at Maven #ProfessionalDevelopment #FractionalCFO #CAS #Consulting #Leadership #CPA #CFO #Maven

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I’m an advocate for new fractional CFOs to join an established fractional CFO firm. There are many firms out there, most are growing, and most are looking for new fractional CFOs to join their team. I’ve gotten lots of questions along the lines of how you go about finding one of these firms, how they work, and how do you decide which one is a right fit for you. I’ve written a guidebook to help you understand all this. If you are a CFO thinking at all about becoming a fractional CFO – now or years from now – I think you’ll find this guidebook to be helpful in understanding this option for the career. Please click on the link in the comment section to download a FREE copy of the guidebook.

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CFOs in PE: Collect Fast, Pay Slow. (Here’s What You Need to Know) ⤵ In our private Thrive Community event, Robert (Bob) Gold—a seasoned, PE-backed CFO who’s led four major private equity transactions—shared what he considers the most critical skill for CFOs transitioning to private equity. 💡 Bob emphasized, “You need to be very adept at liquidity management.” He highlighted that your ability to manage working capital and discuss it effectively is more crucial than having exit experience when aiming for a CFO role in PE. To access the full Q&A on "The Pathway to Becoming a CFO in PE" and join our Thrive Community, click here: https://lnkd.in/ea7E9j53

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Annual CFO compensation for recent IPOs averages $1.2 million per year citing competitive compensation pressures from other industries. These compensation benchmarks tend to impact all companies as these data points are readily available. Typically, there is future compensation tied to benchmark improvements so there can be some compensation risk. At C-Suite Support we customize solution for you to deliver top quality CFO and COO services. C-Suite Support Paul Whitley Taber Wetz Jayson Potts, MBA Chris Gauvin

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For how long have I been stating this...this accounts for more CFOs designated as "interim" CEOs when there is a CEO vacancy or more CFOs becoming CEOs so that value is compensated with a CEO paycheck. #valueformoney #CFOforCEO #financeprofessionals

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One advantage of having been a CFO for more than 30 years is that I have been through numerous business cycles. Think about the finance person whose career started in 2007. 17 years might seem like a long time - but the environment their career has advanced in has only known low interest rates. Seasoned CFOs like myself can remember many years of high and higher interest rates than today - but the younger generation has not. Take a look at the history of bank prime rate over the years. I wish it could stay at that low point forever, but it has not historically. And this particular CFO (me) knows how to operate in a high interest rate environment. Does that mean older CFOs will give better advice and guidance today than the younger generation? Not really, but it does give us an advantage. Do you agree or did I rile some folks up?

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When your CFO leaves: relying on an interim CFO for financial stability The departure of a CFO can cause turbulence in a company, and until a new one is hired, it might make sense to bring in an interim CFO. Here is a brief article that discusses this topic. https://lnkd.in/gnpbHrfH

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