The honest answer: it depends on the size of the financial problem and whether it is a system problem or a revenue problem. Here is how to know which you have — and what the ROI actually looks like.
A fractional CFO is worth it when the business has a financial system problem — cash flow timing, job costing gaps, overhead miscalculation, billing structure — that is larger than the cost of fixing it. For most construction subcontractors above $2M with cash flow problems, that condition is met clearly. For contractors below $1M or with a clean financial picture and a revenue problem (not enough work), a fractional CFO is probably not the right tool.
SPM's first action at engagement start is an AR audit — every invoice over 30 days, every uncollected balance, every follow-up that has not happened. Most contractors have $50,000–$300,000 in AR at 45+ days with no follow-up. Collecting it in month one generates immediate cash at zero cost beyond the engagement fee. At SPM's rate for a $4M contractor ($3,800–$5,500/month depending on tier), one month's AR collection typically covers 3–6 months of fees.
Recalculate overhead from the P&L's SG&A line. Compare to what is in bids. A 7-point gap on $5M in revenue is $350,000 per year in underfunded overhead — money that was supposed to be profit but has been silently covering overhead costs the bid did not account for. The correction takes one number change in the estimating model and applies to every future bid permanently.
A billing calendar ensuring pay apps hit cut-off day on every job, every period. On a contractor with $400,000 per month in billings across three jobs, eliminating one missed cut-off per quarter recovers $400,000 in 30-day payment delay — permanently. WIP reporting shows job-level profitability for the first time, identifying which jobs and GC relationships to prioritize and which to reprice or walk away from.
The structural fixes — overhead rate, billing calendar, job costing, WIP — compound over time. Every new job bid at the correct overhead rate, every pay app submitted on cut-off day, every changed condition documented and billed adds to the base. Most SPM clients see their annual financial position improve by more than the full year's engagement cost within the first 12 months of the structural fixes being in place.
Two service tiers. Priced by last 12 months revenue. No long-term contracts.
| Revenue Band | Core Financial | Executive Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Under $1M | $1,900/mo | $2,900/mo |
| $1M–$3M | $2,600/mo | $3,600/mo |
| $4M–$6M | $3,800/mo | $5,500/mo |
| $7M–$9M | $5,100/mo | $6,900/mo |
| $10M–$12M | $6,100/mo | $8,500/mo |
Core Financial includes ControlQore setup, job costing structure, bank reconciliations, and bookkeeping. Executive Financial adds monthly CFO advisory meetings, controllership, and strategic accountability. ControlQore migration included in all tiers.
A free call with Josh takes 30 minutes. Bring your last P&L and current bank balance.
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