Category
Strategy
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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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How the Finance Team Can Help the Company Ask Better Questions
In our data-driven business environment, the finance team’s role extends far beyond traditional number-crunching. Our deep understanding of the company’s financial health and our access to comprehensive data uniquely position us to influence strategic decision-making. By fostering a culture of inquiry and continuous improvement, we can help the entire organization […]
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Distinctions between Management Reporting and Board Reporting
In the intricate tapestry of corporate governance, two integral components play pivotal roles in steering an organization toward success: Management Reporting and Board Reporting. While these terms may appear synonymous, a closer examination reveals distinct purposes, audiences, and methodologies. This high-level exploration aims to shed light on the differences between […]
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Strategic Management Reporting
In the ever-evolving corporate governance landscape, management reporting stands as a cornerstone for company presidents, providing a snapshot of financial health and a profound analysis of key performance indicators (KPIs), operational efficiencies, and strategic alignment. This article delves into the intricate realms of management reporting, unravelling its critical role in […]
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What Should Your Business Do With Extra Cash?
As a private business owner, you may find yourself in the fortunate position of having excess cash. This can be an exciting opportunity to strategically allocate your profits and optimize your business for long-term success. However, it’s important to approach this situation with careful consideration and planning. In this article, […]
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The Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right ERP System
In today’s fast-paced business environment, efficiency and productivity are the keys to success. Businesses have turned to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to achieve these. These integrated software solutions streamline processes, eliminate redundancies, and provide a single data source for decision-making. However, choosing the right ERP system can be daunting, […]
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How to Build an Effective Marketing Budget that Delights Your CFO
As marketers, we understand the importance of allocating the right resources to achieve our goals and drive growth. However, when it comes to securing budgets and proving the value of our initiatives to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), it can be challenging to speak their language and gain their buy-in. […]
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Financial Management Strategies for the Product Life Cycle
The product life cycle (PLC) is a concept that depicts the sales trend of a product from its introduction to its decline. Financial management plays a crucial role in each stage of the PLC, addressing the challenges and opportunities that arise. In this article, we will explore the importance of […]
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Explore vs. Exploit Innovation Portfolios: A Comprehensive Guide
In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, managing innovation portfolios has become a critical strategic responsibility for business leaders. The ability to effectively navigate the dynamic nature of markets and stay ahead of the competition requires a well-defined approach to mapping and managing a business portfolio. This article will explore […]
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The Power of Gut Feelings and Data in Making Business Decisions: A Comprehensive Guide for Professional Accountants
In the fast-paced business world, making critical decisions is a constant challenge. Executives and decision-makers often struggle between relying on their gut instincts or analyzing data and facts. The debate between intuition and data-driven decision-making has been ongoing, with proponents arguing for the merits of each approach. As a professional […]
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