Fractional CFO Services in West Branch & Northern Michigan
Quick answer: A fractional CFO is a part-time chief financial officer. Heartwood CPA gives small and mid-size businesses CFO-level help, including cash flow forecasts, budgets, KPI tracking and a regular planning meeting with a licensed CPA, for a monthly fee instead of a full-time salary. Book a free fit call at (989) 965-0138.
Reviewed by Jake Sheltrown, CPA · Updated October 2026
At a glance
- Who it's for: Owner-run businesses that have outgrown bookkeeping alone
- Industries: Contractors, restaurants, farms and forestry, medical practices and service businesses
- Meetings: Monthly or bi-weekly, in person in West Branch or by video
- Pricing: A monthly advisory fee or a one-time project price, quoted after your free fit call
- How to start: Free fit call at (989) 965-0138
Signs you're ready for a CFO
- You're profitable on paper but cash is always tight
- You're deciding whether to hire, buy equipment or open a second location
- Your banker wants projections and you don't have them
- Slow seasons catch you by surprise every year
- You don't know which jobs, products or locations actually make money
What's included
- Cash flow forecasting: 13-week and 12-month forecasts that show a tight month before it arrives.
- Budgets and budget vs. actual: An annual budget you'll use, compared to real results every month.
- KPI dashboard: The handful of numbers that run your business, on one page.
- Break-even and profitability analysis: Profit by job, product, location or service line.
- Projections for lenders and partners: Bank-ready financial projections for loans, buildings and expansions.
- Regular CFO meetings: A standing meeting to turn the numbers into decisions.
Bookkeeper vs. fractional CFO vs. full-time CFO
A bookkeeper records what happened. A CFO plans what happens next. A fractional CFO gives you that planning without a full-time hire.
- Bookkeeper: Records past transactions and delivers reconciled books and monthly statements. Best for keeping records accurate.
- Fractional CFO: Plans cash, profit and growth with forecasts, budgets, KPIs and lender projections, through monthly or bi-weekly meetings, for a monthly fee. Best for growing businesses making big decisions.
- Full-time CFO: Does the same planning on staff, plus manages a finance team, for a full salary and benefits. Best for larger companies with complex finances.
Ways to work together
Monthly CFO advisory
Ongoing forecasting, budget vs. actual, a KPI dashboard and a standing CFO meeting. Pairs with our monthly bookkeeping, or works from your bookkeeper's numbers.
One-time projects
- Cash flow forecast
- Break-even and profitability analysis
- Annual budget development
- Financial projections for a loan or expansion
What clients say
"His attention to detail put my mind at ease and he presented options to me that I didn't even know were a possibility. When it comes to anything finances, this is the guy you want in your corner!" — Edson
Fractional CFO FAQs
What does a fractional CFO do?
A fractional CFO forecasts cash flow, builds budgets, tracks key numbers and helps the owner make decisions like hiring, pricing, borrowing and expanding. They work part-time, usually through monthly or bi-weekly meetings.
How much does a fractional CFO cost?
Much less than a full-time CFO's salary. Heartwood CPA offers monthly advisory or one-time projects such as a cash flow forecast, and quotes your price after a free fit call.
Is my business too small for a CFO?
Probably not. If you have employees, seasonal swings or a big decision coming, CFO-level planning usually pays for itself. On the free call we'll tell you honestly if bookkeeping alone is enough for now.
Do I have to use Heartwood for bookkeeping too?
No. CFO work needs current, accurate books. We can keep them for you, or work from your existing bookkeeper's numbers.
Do you work with businesses outside West Branch?
Yes. We meet in person across Ogemaw, Roscommon, Iosco and Gladwin counties and work by video with businesses anywhere in Michigan.
Related services
Make your next big decision with real numbers. Call (989) 965-0138 or email accounting@heartwoodcpa.com to book a free 15-minute fit call.