Frequently Asked Questions
When is the right time to hire a CFO? + -
It is never too early to engage a CFO due to the value they can add to your business. However, in our experience companies often seek a CFO when they start to experience pain points or stress around the following areas:
- You need to raise funds.
- You don’t have the accurate information you need to make sound decisions for your business.
- Managing your finances is eating into the time you should be spending on core business activities.
- Your business is growing and you feel out of your comfort zone or feel like you could benefit from an independent sounding board.
What are the benefits of a Virtual CFO? + -
Businesses that don’t currently employ a CFO can benefit hugely from bringing in a Virtual CFO. One of the main reasons that startups fail is because they run out of money. A Virtual CFO will help you understand and manage the lifeblood of your business - cash flow - safeguarding the future.
In addition, you can expect more robust financial reporting and greater visibility across your finances as a whole, helping you make more informed decisions and primed to exploit the right opportunities. Hiring a Virtual CFO allows you to take your business to the next level, at a fraction of the cost of employing a full-time employee.
What does a Virtual CFO do? + -
At Gram we offer a broad range of support and will tailor our service to suit the needs of your business.
A Virtual CFO can assist with:
- Capital raising
- Corporate governance
- Cash flow reporting, modelling, and management
- Business planning
- Identification and monitoring of key business metrics
- Monthly management reporting
- Financial management and analysis such as preparation of budgets and operational forecasts
- Set up of accounting systems and processes
- Monthly accounting and month end procedures
- Payroll & HR Admin
- Accounts payable and sales invoicing
How does a Virtual CFO actually work in practice? + -
It varies from company to company, but at Gram, we work hard to become a member of your team. We prefer a proactive approach and aim to build your capability, from general finance hygiene and governance, to a point where you are comfortable and confident in your numbers.
We agree a range of services which we provide for a fixed monthly fee. As a growing business we know your needs will change as you scale, so these services may change from month to month. What will not change is our accessible service. We provide daily support through phone calls and emails whenever you have a question or a concern, as well as joining monthly management and Board meetings with you and/or your team to make sure everyone is on the same financial page.
What does a Virtual CFO not do? + -
It varies from company to company, but at Gram, we work hard to become a member of your team. We prefer a proactive approach and aim to build your capability, from general finance hygiene and governance, to a point where you are comfortable and confident in your numbers.
We agree a range of services which we provide for a fixed monthly fee. As a growing business we know your needs will change as you scale, so these services may change from month to month. What will not change is our accessible service. We provide daily support through phone calls and emails whenever you have a question or a concern, as well as joining monthly management and Board meetings with you and/or your team to make sure everyone is on the same financial page.
What does a Virtual CFO not do? + -
While there are a wide range of services we provide, a Gram Virtual CFO will not give specialist advice on topics including tax structuring, debt and capital structuring, or raise funds.
We are a startup, can we afford a Virtual CFO? + -
Gram can tailor a service to suit your needs, and we fix a fee that you pay monthly. You pay only for what you need, and you always know in advance how much it will cost to help you manage your cash flow.
Is our company big enough for a Virtual CFO? + -
If you want to grow your business and smooth the path to getting there, you need a Virtual CFO who can guide you through the strategic planning process and identify clear tangible goals to be achieved. We offer a range of flexible packages to suit your needs and budget.
We have a tax accountant who we rely on, so why do we need a Virtual CFO? + -
A Virtual CFO will provide you with advice and support on the day to day, as well as on key strategic decisions, making us the perfect partner for your tax accountant. We make their job easier by ensuring your financials are always up to date and accurate, provide analysis on business results, and forecast future business activity so that they can provide you with more proactive tax planning advice.
Our company is growing rapidly, how can a Virtual CFO help? + -
To ensure your company has the best chance of success, getting the right people, establishing the right processes, and ensuring you have the right systems in place are key. A Virtual CFO will work with you to assess where your company is currently at, and what needs to be in place to support its growth in the short to medium term.
Shared effort. The Gram difference.
We work hard as part of your team as we know that running a successful startup or scale-up business means it’s all hands on deck. We bring an enhanced skill set and broad experience to build and embed the financial discipline required to support the growth of your business.