Founders often hire a CFO too early (burning cash) or too late (after a filing or fundraise goes wrong). This tool scores what your stage actually calls for.
What this tool does
You answer questions about stage, complexity, and upcoming events; it recommends full-time CFO, fractional CFO, or a strong controller — and what to prioritise.
Who it's for
Founders and CEOs of scaling private companies and newly public small-caps deciding how to build the finance seat.
How to use it — step by step
- Describe your stage. Revenue, funding stage, and team.
- Flag upcoming events. Raise, audit, IPO, M&A, turnaround.
- Read the recommendation. Full-time, fractional, or controller — with reasoning.
- Right-size the hire. Match the seat to the next 12-18 months, not the org chart.
How to read your result
The output is a recommendation, not a verdict. A big upcoming event (raise, IPO, restatement) often justifies senior finance help before the revenue would suggest it.
Worked examples
The same tool behaves differently depending on what you put in. Here are 3 situations.
$5M ARR, pre-Series A
Inputs: Growing, no near-term IPO.
What the tool shows: Usually points to fractional CFO plus a controller — senior judgment without the full-time cost.
What to do: Get fractional help for the raise; hire a controller for the day-to-day.
About to go public
Inputs: IPO or reverse-merger on the horizon.
What the tool shows: Flags that public-company reporting needs full-time senior finance leadership now.
What to do: Hire ahead of the event, not after.
Turnaround / going concern
Inputs: Cash pressure and stakeholder heat.
What the tool shows: Recommends experienced crisis-finance leadership immediately.
What to do: Bring in senior help fast — this is where mistakes get expensive.
Common questions
Full-time or fractional? Depends on complexity and upcoming events, not just revenue — the tool weighs both.
Isn't a controller enough? Often, until you have a raise, audit, or IPO — then you need CFO-level judgment.
Does this replace advice? It's a starting point; talk it through for your specifics.