Category
Strategy
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Is your business getting what it needs from the Controller role
Not all Controllers are created equal As private companies grow, financial complexity increases; but the financial function doesn’t always keep pace. It’s common to reach a point where leadership realizes: the numbers are getting harder to trust, reporting takes longer than it should, and there’s a growing sense that no […]
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What If You Don’t Have a CFO (with M&A Experience) On Staff?
How Private and Family-Owned Businesses Can Confidently Navigate Acquisitions with a Fractional CFO Acquisitions are rarely business-as-usual for private and family-owned companies. They’re high-stakes transitions; often the most financially significant moment in a business’s journey. And while your internal team might be strong on operations and day-to-day finance, acquisitions demand […]
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When One Client Is Critical: How to Plan Financially Around Client Dependency
Many businesses, especially in manufacturing and B2B services, find themselves deeply reliant on one major client. These “anchor” relationships can be a powerful force for stability and growth; but they can also quietly introduce serious financial risk. When one buyer accounts for a significant share of revenue, operations, or margin, […]
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Seeing the Whole Picture: Why Overhead Matters in Product Profitability
Looking Beyond Direct Costs For product-based businesses, profitability often starts with a simple equation: revenue minus cost of goods sold. But this narrow view can create blind spots, especially as a business grows and overhead expenses start to weigh heavily on margins. At Part Time CFO Services, we regularly work […]
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Forecasting with Confidence for NFP Executive Directors
As we move through 2025, Executive Directors in the not-for-profit sector are managing in an environment that’s both mission-driven and metrics-focused. Pressures are intensifying, driven by evolving funding models and more rigorous stakeholder expectations, as well as ongoing operational challenges. Organizations with budgets between $3 million and $15 million are […]
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You’ve Just Joined the Finance Committee, Now What?
You’ve just been appointed to the finance committee of a not-for-profit organization. It’s an important role that plays a key part in ensuring the organization’s financial health, transparency, and sustainability. But if this is your first time in such a position, it’s normal to feel like you’re figuring it out […]
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The Hidden Costs in Profitability Analysis: What You Might Be Missing
Profitability is often viewed through a simple lens, revenue minus expenses. But beneath the surface, many organizations face hidden cost pressures that slowly erode their margins. Standard financial reports don’t always capture these, but they result in performance slippage, missed targets, or inexplicable budget overruns. In this article, we’ll highlight […]
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Webinar Recording: Managing Supply Chain and AR Risk in an Uncertain Economy
“Strategic growth isn’t just about chasing sales—it’s about choosing your customers wisely. That’s how you build resilience.” – Key insight inspired by Zach Spencer, Coface North America In this webinar, guests Zach Spencer and Todd Pickett from Coface dive deep into the current landscape of supply chain and accounts receivable […]
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How Financial Statements Connect: From Income Statement Forecast to Cash Flow Forecast
Financial statements don’t operate in isolation—they are interconnected, each offering a different but complementary perspective on an organization’s financial health. One of the most critical relationships in financial management is how an income statement forecast feeds into a cash flow forecast. Business leaders often focus on revenue growth and profitability […]
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Why Industry Experience Matters When Hiring a Fractional CFO or Controller
For private businesses and not-for-profits, strong financial leadership is essential to long-term success. But hiring a full-time CFO or Controller isn’t always feasible—especially for organizations that need strategic financial oversight without the cost of an in-house executive. That’s where fractional finance leadership comes in. However, not all fractional CFOs and […]
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Navigating Uncertainty and Chaos: A CFO’s Guide for Business Leaders
Times of uncertainty and rapid change are not anomalies—they are part of an ever-shifting business environment. U.S. policy directions can pivot abruptly, with shifts in taxes, regulations, and trade agreements dramatically impacting both short-term operational decisions and long-term strategic plans. Our firm, which provides fractional CFO and accounting services, has […]
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Navigating Tariffs and Trade Tensions: What Ontario Businesses Need to Know
Recent discussions around tariffs and the potential for a full-blown trade war between Canada and the United States have become major concerns for businesses operating in Ontario. Though new regulations and threats of retaliatory measures have occurred before, the current environment of uncertainty—fuelled by shifting political priorities—demands a thoughtful, proactive […]
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A Step-by-Step Guide to Measuring and Mitigating Key Client Risk
When a single customer—or a small group of them—accounts for a significant portion of your organization’s revenue, the stakes of maintaining these relationships skyrocket. Any sudden downturn, operational hiccup, or strategic shift on the client side can swiftly lead to reduced orders, delayed payments, or even lost business altogether. From […]
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How Santa’s Finance Team Keeps the North Pole Magical
Every child knows Santa Claus as the cheerful, magical figure who delivers presents to children around the globe in one magical night. But what most don’t see is the army of unsung heroes working behind the scenes to ensure Christmas runs like a well-oiled machine. At the heart of this […]
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Self-Reflection for Organizational Leaders: Using the Quiet Season to Align and Refocus
The holiday season offers leaders a rare opportunity to pause, reflect, and recalibrate. It’s a chance to look beyond day-to-day operations and focus on the broader impact of leadership, strategy, and decisions made throughout the year. With the new year approaching, this is the ideal time to assess where the […]
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Navigating The CIM: A Guide for Buyers of Private Businesses in Canada
When looking to acquire a private business in Canada, one of the first and most important documents you will encounter is the Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM). The CIM provides a comprehensive business overview, serving as a key tool in your decision-making process. Understanding how to navigate this document is crucial […]
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Maximizing Business Value with a CIM: A Guide for Sellers
When selling a private business in Canada, one of the most important tools is the Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM). This document goes beyond a simple compilation of company data; it is a strategic asset designed to present your business to potential buyers, providing a detailed overview that helps them understand […]
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Essential Strategies for Sustainable Growth
In today’s dynamic business environment, achieving sustainable growth is a delicate balance that requires strategic foresight and careful decision-making. For companies in Ontario, Canada, the challenge is to pursue growth opportunities without being overly aggressive, which can lead to risky ventures or being too timid, resulting in missed opportunities. As […]
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Mid-Year Financial Check-Up: Key Considerations for Executive Directors of Not-for-Profit Organizations
As we reach the year’s halfway point, it’s an opportune moment for executive directors of not-for-profit organizations to pause, reflect, and strategize for the months ahead. The mid-year mark offers a critical juncture to assess your financial performance, recalibrate your goals, and implement strategies to maximize your organization’s impact for […]
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How the Finance Department Helps Sales Teams Set and Manage Objectives
In today’s competitive business environment, the synergy between the finance department and sales teams is critical for driving growth and achieving company objectives. With its comprehensive understanding of the company’s financial health and access to vast amounts of data, the finance department can play a pivotal role in helping sales […]
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