Author Archives: Carter Freeman

6 Operating Metrics for Professional Services Firms

6 Operating Metrics for Professional Services Firms | vcfo

6 Operating Performance Metrics for Professional Services Firms Professional services firms come in all shapes, sizes, and types – law, accounting, architecture, engineering, field services, janitorial, specialized consulting, and the list goes on. While each is decidedly different, the common denominator connecting them all is providing services – work being performed for a fee. Professional services …

SMB & Startup Business in Aerospace & Defense

Aerospace & Defense | vcfo

Five Principles for SMB & Startup Business in Aerospace & Defense A recent PwC report notes that the aerospace & defense (A&D) industry generated $741B in 2022 and stands poised for further growth in the years ahead. It’s no wonder then that a wide range of SMBs and startups are enticed by opportunities to do …

Four Key Functions a CFO Adds to the Executive Team

Executive Leadership Team

Forming and growing a strong leadership and executive team is a vital and evolving challenge for business leaders. Deciding on the roles, the levels of experience and the capabilities required on the team depend on both the current stage and planned growth of the company. Financial and strategic expertise will always be a part of …

Strategic Planning – 7 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

As consulting CFOs who have led and participated in countless strategic planning sessions over the years, we have experienced first-hand the value that effective strategic planning brings to business. Strategic planning is a vital activity that helps an organization assess the state of its business, market, and resources. It determines priorities, identifies operational gaps, and …

Spear-phishing Scams: How They Work and How Not to Get Speared

spearphishing, scam, fraud

Cybersecurity attacks like spear-phishing scams are all too real. I have personally seen three near misses in the last year and want to share them with you, and encourage vigilance and proper protections. Businesses and leaders that do not act with a proper sense of vulnerability put themselves at great risk. Everything Seemed to Be …

How to Determine if You Need New Accounting Software Part Two – Systems Selection

Selecting The Right Accounting Software – Interim CFO

In part one of this series, I identified the considerations you should keep in mind when deciding whether or not your company has outgrown Quickbooks. Part two covers how systems selection is the first big hurdle in a conversion.  Selecting the “wrong” system is not an uncommon mistake and the “right” system may be one of several …

How to Determine if You Need New Accounting Software Part One

How To Determine if You Need New Accounting Software Part One - vcfo

A common concern for many of our clients is in regards to their accounting software, specifically QuickBooks. Deciding when to make the switch from QuickBooks for a more robust accounting or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is no trivial matter. On the one hand, once a company has outgrown QuickBooks, remaining with it may limit …

The Single BEST Way to Prevent Financial Fraud

The Single BEST Way to Prevent Financial Fraud - vcfo

Financial fraud is a bad scenario for business owners. Beyond the embarrassment or the financial loss, fraud can also result in the termination of a long-term employee. A few factors may put a company at risk; however, the primary cause is a lack of internal controls and oversight. We also find that a lack of …

How to Fund Your Business

How to Fund Your Business - vcfo

Options to fund a business range from family and friends to banks to institutional capital and business owners are best served by understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each option before making this decision. Read more below for tips on navigating this process effectively. Overview of the Stages: Even though every company has a timeline, …