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Insights

Operator-grade finance perspectives

Actionable finance strategy, frameworks, and perspectives for leaders navigating growth — written from inside the engagement, not the marketing funnel.

Featured insight

AI & Automation

AI-Augmented Finance Operations: Discipline, Not Buzzword

Every fractional CFO firm now claims to use AI. Here is what AI-augmented finance actually looks like in practice - and the guardrails Brian, who founded an AI-backed venture, applies in every Catalyst engagement.

Brian Kostka, CFA·April 22, 2026

Why this matters

Written from inside the engagement — frameworks, diligence questions, and operator points of view you can use in your next leadership conversation.

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Engagement

The Two-Week Onramp: Why a Fractional CFO Engagement Should Produce Output Before Day Fifteen

Most fractional CFOs spend 60+ days in discovery. That is consulting, not finance leadership. Here is the discipline behind Catalyst's two-week onramp - and why the time-to-output gap is the strongest signal of operator-grade work.

Brian Kostka, CFA·April 15, 2026
Strategic Finance

Why Growth-Stage Companies Need a CFO/COO Double Seat - Not Two Separate Hires

The split between CFO and COO is a Fortune 500 artifact. In growth-stage companies, the executive who can hold both seats is more valuable than two separate hires. Here is when, and why.

Brian Kostka, CFA·April 8, 2026
Strategic Finance

The 2024 Fractional CFO Wave: How to Tell a Real CFO from a Six-Month Rebrand

The fractional CFO market exploded after 2023. Most new entrants are recently-laid-off controllers. Here is the diligence framework I use - and you should too - to separate operator-grade fractionals from the rebrand wave.

Brian Kostka, CFA·April 1, 2026

From LinkedIn

Live posts & commentary

Brian publishes regularly on LinkedIn — frameworks, deal notes, and reactions to what’s actually happening in CFO and bookkeeping practice today.

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Live feed of Brian's most recent LinkedIn posts. Click any post to open it on LinkedIn.

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Executive Leadership

  • Fractional CFO
  • Fractional COO
  • Interim CFO
  • Interim COO
  • How We Work
  • All services

Finance & Operations

  • Financial Planning & Analysis
  • Cash Flow Management
  • Budgeting & Forecasting
  • KPI & Reporting Dashboards
  • Profitability & Margin Analysis
  • Strategic Finance Advisory
  • Fundraising & Investor Readiness
  • Revenue Cycle Optimization
  • Controller & Accounting Oversight
  • Finance Systems & ERP
  • AI-Powered Finance
  • AI-Enabled Bookkeeping

Who We Serve

  • VC-Backed Startups
  • Founder-Led Lower Middle Market
  • PE Portfolio Companies
  • Professional Services Firms
  • Established SMBs & Family Businesses
  • AI-Native & Technology
  • All sectors

Insights

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  • Case Studies
  • Testimonials
  • Resource Library
  • FAQ

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