Strategic Financial Leadership for Growing Companies

In today’s business environment, middle-market companies (typically $20M – $250M in annual revenue) face complex financial challenges that demand more than bookkeeping or controller support. Yet hiring a full-time Chief Financial Officer (CFO) can be costly and unnecessary until the company reaches larger enterprise scale.

That’s where Westport Financial’s middle-market CFO services come in—providing strategic financial leadership, performance insights, and capital guidance that help owners, investors, and management teams make confident, data-driven decisions.

Why Middle-Market Businesses Need CFO Services

As companies scale, their financial structure often lags behind their growth. Margins tighten, cash flow becomes unpredictable, and leadership teams struggle to turn numbers into strategy. A CFO bridges that gap—aligning financial management with operational execution.

Here’s how middle-market CFO services help:

• Cash-flow optimization: anticipate liquidity needs, manage payables/receivables, and improve working capital.

• Profitability analysis: identify margin drivers and cost inefficiencies across business units.

• Forecasting & planning: move beyond static budgets toward rolling forecasts and scenario modeling.

• Capital structure strategy: strengthen banking relationships and prepare for debt, equity, or M&A events.

• Performance accountability: introduce dashboards and KPIs that align teams with measurable goals.

The result? Finance becomes a strategic growth engine, not just a back-office function. Learn more in our previous article, “CFO Services for Mid-Sized Companies.”

Core Services for Middle-Market CFO Clients

1. Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

• Rolling 12–24-month forecasts

• “What-if” scenario modeling and variance analysis

• Real-time KPI dashboards for decision-making

2. Cash-Flow & Working Capital Management

• 13-week cash-flow forecasts

• Liquidity, debt, and covenant monitoring

• Vendor, receivables, and inventory optimization

3. Strategic Financial Leadership

• Capital structure evaluation and investor readiness

• M&A support and due diligence

• Financial modeling for pricing, expansion, and hiring decisions

4. Systems & Process Modernization

• ERP and accounting system optimization

• Automation of reporting and month-end processes

• Integrations between CRM, accounting, and BI tools

5. Financial Governance & Risk Management

• Policy and internal-control framework

• Audit-ready documentation and board reporting

• Risk assessment and mitigation planning

How CFO Services Create Value in the Middle Market

A full-time CFO can easily exceed $350K–$450K annually once salary, benefits, and overhead are included. Fractional or project-based CFO services offer access to the same level of strategic leadership for a fraction of that cost.

Top value drivers:

• Scalability: support that grows with your company

• Experience: CFO-level talent with cross-industry expertise

• Clarity: real-time visibility into financial health and performance

• Confidence: better strategic decisions, lender trust, and valuation outcomes

Whether preparing for expansion, acquisition, or succession, CFO services give middle-market leaders the financial clarity to make the next move with confidence. Learn more in our previous article, “Interim CFO Services: Unlocking Financial Clarity.”

Why Westport Financial?

At Westport Financial, we help middle-market companies turn financial data into growth strategy. Our team delivers hands-on, tech-enabled CFO leadership designed to drive measurable business results.

Our approach:

• Hands-on partnership with senior CFOs

• Tailored engagement models (fractional, interim, or project-based)

• Real-time reporting through dashboards and automation

• Focus on cash flow, profitability, and enterprise value creation

We work across manufacturing, distribution, professional services, logistics, construction, and private-equity-backed firms—bringing both technical expertise and strategic perspective to every engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is middle-market accounting?

Middle-market accounting refers to financial management for companies typically earning between $10 million and $1 billion in annual revenue. These organizations require more sophisticated reporting, internal controls, and strategic finance oversight than small businesses, but not the full corporate infrastructure of large enterprises. Middle-market accounting emphasizes GAAP compliance, automation, data visibility, and decision-support analysis.

How much does a fractional CFO cost?

Fractional CFOs are typically billed on a monthly retainer or hourly basis, depending on scope and complexity.

• Small to lower middle-market companies may pay $5,000 – $12,000 per month.

• Mid-market or private-equity-backed businesses often invest $12,000 – $25,000+ per month.
  While this may sound significant, it’s often less than one-third of the cost of a full-time CFO while delivering comparable or greater value.

Are fractional CFOs worth it?

Absolutely—when chosen carefully. A skilled fractional CFO brings strategic insight, financial discipline, and capital access that drive profitability and enterprise value. Businesses typically see improved margins, better cash management, stronger lender relationships, and faster growth within months of engagement. The key is aligning the CFO’s expertise with your company’s goals and ensuring accountability through measurable KPIs.

What does a CFO do all day?

A CFO’s daily responsibilities blend analysis, leadership, and strategy. Typical activities include:

• Reviewing financial results and forecasts

• Meeting with leadership on performance and initiatives

• Managing banking and investor relations

• Overseeing accounting, FP&A, and financial operations

• Identifying opportunities to improve margins and cash flow

• Leading financial planning, budgeting, and strategic projects

In short, the CFO acts as the financial quarterback, translating numbers into strategic plays that advance the business.

At what revenue do you need a CFO?

Most companies start to benefit from dedicated CFO involvement when annual revenue reaches $5 – $10 million, or when financial complexity outpaces existing systems. Common triggers include:

• Multi-location operations

• Rapid growth or M&A

• Banking relationships or investor oversight

• High-volume transactions or complex project accounting

At this stage, CFO services ensure financial clarity, strategic focus, and scalable systems to support the next phase of growth.

Ready to Strengthen Your Financial Leadership?

If your company is scaling and needs deeper financial insight, Westport Financial’s middle-market CFO services can help you elevate strategy, strengthen performance, and unlock sustainable growth.

📞 Schedule a free discovery consultation to see how we can tailor CFO services to your business goals.