Frequently asked
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about working with Catalyst CFO Advisors. Can't find your answer? Get in touch.
Quick answers
What is a fractional CFO — and how is it different from a controller or bookkeeper?
A fractional CFO is a senior financial executive who works with your company part-time, typically two to four days per month, and operates at the strategic level: capital strategy, forecasting, board reporting, M&A, and capital allocation. A controller closes the books and produces accurate financials. A bookkeeper records transactions. The CFO uses what the controller produces to drive decisions. You generally need all three functions; the question is which is missing today.
Do you offer COO and Interim coverage too, or only fractional CFO?
Both. We offer Fractional CFO, Fractional COO, Interim CFO, and Interim COO as first-class engagements. Brian's career braided the CFO and COO seats across multiple operating companies, which is why we package them together rather than treating operations as an afterthought.
How is Catalyst different from the wave of fractional CFO firms launched after 2023?
The market exploded after 2023, and a lot of the new entrants are recently-exited controllers or first-time independent operators. Catalyst is led by Brian Kostka — 25+ years of finance leadership, ~10 years of AI in production, and multiple AI-driven ventures founded or co-founded. We sit on the other end of the experience curve from a typical 2024-vintage fractional.
How much does a fractional CFO cost?
Fractional CFO engagements at Catalyst typically range from $5,000 to $15,000 per month depending on scope and complexity. This compares to $250,000 to $400,000+ in total compensation for a full-time CFO. Interim CFO engagements (full-time coverage) are priced separately. We do not require long-term contracts; engagements are month-to-month after the initial onramp.
How quickly can a fractional CFO make an impact?
Most clients see measurable impact within the first 30 to 60 days. Our two-week onramp is designed to deliver a working 13-week cash forecast, a clean reporting baseline, and a prioritized action list before the first invoice cycle closes.
When should I hire a full-time CFO instead of a fractional?
Generally above $50M in revenue with daily M&A flow, IPO-bound, or operating a complex multi-entity structure that demands daily executive presence. Many clients start fractional and transition to a full-time hire when scale demands it — and we'll tell you straight when that point is approaching, then help you run the search.
About Fractional CFO Services
What is a fractional CFO?
A fractional CFO is a senior financial executive who works with your company part-time — typically two to four days per month. You get the same strategic financial leadership as a full-time CFO at 20 to 40 percent of the cost, including financial strategy, reporting, forecasting, and investor relations.
How is a fractional CFO different from a bookkeeper or accountant?
Bookkeepers record transactions. Accountants ensure compliance and accuracy. A fractional CFO provides strategic financial leadership — building financial models, managing cash flow, advising on capital allocation, leading board and investor communications, and translating financial data into business strategy. These are complementary roles, not replacements.
When should I hire a fractional CFO instead of a full-time CFO?
Companies between $2M and $30M in revenue typically benefit most from the fractional model. You get the same strategic value at a fraction of the cost. Once your revenue exceeds $30M to $50M, daily CFO involvement becomes necessary and a full-time hire makes more sense. We help clients make that transition when the time is right.
How much does a fractional CFO cost?
Engagements at Catalyst CFO Advisors typically range from $5,000 to $15,000 per month depending on scope, complexity, and time commitment. This compares to $250,000 to $400,000 or more in annual total compensation for a full-time CFO.
Working With Catalyst CFO Advisors
What happens during the initial consultation?
The consultation is a complimentary 30-minute conversation where we learn about your business, understand your financial challenges, and assess fit. There is no cost and no obligation. If we can help, we outline a proposed engagement. If your needs are outside our scope, we will say so honestly.
How quickly can you start?
Most engagements begin within one to two weeks of signing. We use the first 30 days to assess your current state, implement quick wins, and build a roadmap for the engagement.
What is the minimum engagement length?
We recommend a minimum three-month initial engagement to deliver meaningful, measurable impact. After the initial period, engagements continue month-to-month with 30 days notice.
Can you work with our existing accounting team?
Absolutely. Most clients have an existing bookkeeper, accountant, or controller. We complement your team by adding strategic leadership, building systems and processes, and providing expertise that generalist accounting firms typically lack.
Do you work on-site or remotely?
We work primarily remotely with regular virtual meetings, supplemented by on-site visits as needed. For local clients, we can embed on-site for a portion of the engagement. Our model is flexible and adapts to how your team works best.
Roles, Scope, and Services
What kinds of companies do you work with?
We segment by stage, not industry. Founder-led companies ($1M-$5M) building their first real finance function, scaling companies ($5M-$25M) outgrowing the bookkeeper-and-spreadsheets era, growth-stage and PE-backed companies ($25M-$100M) needing board-grade reporting and capital discipline, and exit-prep companies preparing for a transaction. Our deepest experience sits in the $5M-$100M range across services-heavy, software, healthcare, multi-entity, and founder-led businesses - but the engagement model holds across sectors.
Do you offer Fractional COO or Interim CFO/COO services?
Yes. We offer four executive engagement modes: Fractional CFO, Fractional COO, Interim CFO, and Interim COO. The fractional engagements are ongoing part-time relationships (typically 1-4 days per week). The interim engagements are full-time coverage during a transition - departure, fundraise, integration, or pre-hire stretch - typically 3-9 months. Brian's 25-year career spans both finance and operations leadership, which is why we package both roles as first-class offerings rather than treating COO work as a finance side-project.
What is the difference between a fractional CFO, an interim CFO, and a full-time CFO?
A fractional CFO is an ongoing part-time relationship - we sit in the seat 1-4 days per week, indefinitely, as your strategic finance leader. An interim CFO is full-time coverage during a transition window - the prior CFO has left, a fundraise needs in-flight leadership, or you are bridging to a permanent hire. A full-time CFO is a salaried executive who lives the job 24/7. Choose fractional when you need senior judgment without senior overhead, interim when the seat is empty and the clock is ticking, and full-time when complexity demands daily presence.
Can you help with fundraising or M&A preparation?
Yes. Fundraising and investor readiness is one of our core services. We build financial models, assemble data rooms, prepare management presentations, and coach founders through due diligence. Brian has personally raised capital and exited companies, so the work is grounded in operator experience - not just advisory pattern-matching.
Results and Measurement
How do you measure the impact of your engagement?
We establish clear, measurable KPIs at the start of every engagement — such as days to close, cash forecast accuracy, DSO reduction, margin improvement, or fundraise readiness milestones. We report progress against these KPIs monthly so you always know the ROI of the engagement.
What kind of results can I expect?
Results vary by engagement, but typical outcomes include: monthly close reduced from 3-4 weeks to under 10 business days, 20-40% improvement in operating cash flow, implementation of investor-ready financial reporting, margin improvements of 5-15 percentage points, and successful fundraise completion. See our case studies for specific examples.
How quickly will I see results?
Most clients see measurable impact within 30 to 60 days. Typical early wins include accelerating the monthly close, building a cash flow forecast, identifying margin improvement opportunities, and creating a financial reporting package. Larger transformations — like full ERP implementation or fundraise preparation — typically take three to six months.
Still Have Questions?
Schedule a complimentary consultation and we will answer any questions specific to your situation.