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 part-time CFO — and how is it different from a controller or bookkeeper?
A part-time CFO is a senior financial executive who sits on your leadership team on a regular weekly schedule, typically one to three days per week, 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. The market calls this role a fractional CFO. We say part-time because the CFO is in the seat, not advising from a distance.
Do you offer COO and Interim coverage too, or only part-time CFO?
Both. We offer Part-Time CFO, Part-Time 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 across Wall Street and operating CFO seats, AI-native finance operations since 2020, and three founded companies. We sit on the other end of the experience curve from a typical 2024-vintage fractional.
How much does a fractional CFO cost?
Part-time 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 part-time 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 part-time one?
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 part-time 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 Part-Time CFO Services
What is a fractional CFO?
Fractional CFO is the market's name for a senior financial executive who serves as your CFO on a less-than-full-time basis. Catalyst delivers the sharper version: a part-time CFO in the seat, a standing member of your leadership team on a regular weekly schedule — typically one to three days per week — who owns the decisions rather than advising on them. 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 part-time CFO different from a bookkeeper or accountant?
Bookkeepers record transactions. Accountants ensure compliance and accuracy. A part-time 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 part-time CFO instead of a full-time CFO?
Companies between $5M and $75M in revenue (sweet spot $15M-$45M) typically benefit most from a part-time CFO in the seat. You get the same strategic value at a fraction of the cost, with larger and more complex organizations in that range often better served by an interim engagement. Once your revenue is materially above $75M and complexity demands daily presence, a full-time CFO hire usually 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 Part-Time COO or Interim CFO/COO services?
Yes. We offer four executive engagement modes: Part-Time CFO, Part-Time COO, Interim CFO, and Interim COO. The part-time engagements are ongoing relationships on a regular weekly schedule (typically one to three 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 part-time CFO, a fractional CFO, an interim CFO, and a full-time CFO?
A part-time CFO is an ongoing relationship - we sit in the seat one to three days per week on a regular schedule, indefinitely, as a standing member of your leadership team. A fractional CFO, as the market sells it, is a consultant on a project clock spread across many clients; the label is what buyers search for, not how we work. 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 part-time 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.