Running a small or medium-sized business is no cakewalk. As a business owner or CEO, you are forced to wear multiple hats, from managing the day-to-day operations of your company to steering it towards growth. Every day there is a new fire to fight, and in the midst of handling various responsibilities, financial management often gets ignored.
You might be looking at financial statements and profitability every year. But can you forecast your profitability, and make budgets to utilize your funds effectively? Are you able to get ACCURATE financial data you need on time? This is where the role of a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) can prove to be invaluable.
Top 10 Signs to see if you need a CFO to get finances in order
In any business, there would be clear indications that you need expert assistance in certain areas. These areas, where your attention is lacking, can affect your entire business performance and profitability.
Are you able to get financial data on time?
Have you been waiting endlessly for financial reports that you need, to make crucial decisions about your business? Are you fed up with excuses from your finance team about why a certain report takes much longer than expected?
Timely access to financial data is crucial for making business decisions, and delays will cost you dearly in the long run. A CFO can implement efficient systems and practices to ensure that your financial data is available promptly, helping you grow your business swiftly.
Do you have complete faith in the accuracy of your financial data?
It is not enough that you get your data on time. Are you able to reconcile data from different sources, or are they giving you conflicting numbers? Inaccurate data can have enormous consequences, especially when dealing with emerging companies with very little margin for error.
Your budgeting and financial planning will be affected badly if you do not have accurate financial reports. A CFO can implement rigorous auditing processes and internal controls to ensure that you get the right data at the right time.
Is real-time financial data available for you to make crucial decisions?
Gone are the days of yearly balance sheets, P and L statements, and cash flow statements. If you are only looking at your financial data once a year, you are missing out on important cues that can help grow your business. Now is the time for real-time financial data that can enable you to make crucial decisions quicker and more efficiently.
An experienced CFO can help you implement systems and tools to make real-time financial information available to you, at your fingertips. Would you like to try out CANVAS Financial Analytics, Finavi CFO’s proprietary tool integrated with Zoho books, that can give you real-time financial information with intuitive dashboards?
Are you facing cash flow issues?
If you are a growing business that has not taken external investment, it is likely that you don’t have money to splurge. When you need help with working capital management, a CFO can look at different aspects of your business and implement strategies to optimize cash flow. With your immediate fund requirements addressed, you can focus on running your business without worrying about everyday expenses.
Are you able to complete your budgeting exercise by the beginning of the financial year?
If your company is still struggling with budgeting in April, the beginning of the financial year, it is a sure sign that you need some expert assistance. Budgeting should ideally start in January, and be completed by March so that your team members and stakeholders know exactly what to achieve and expect in the coming year.
Are you fully compliant with government regulations?
New businesses have a lot of paperwork to complete, especially in India. Don’t get mired in the tangle of regulatory compliances and legal obligations. Hire a CFO who can help you complete all your banking, legal, and government compliances on time and get you started on the right foot.
No more yearly struggles with certifications, licenses, renewals, and submissions when you have an experienced, efficient CFO by your side.
Are your business processes streamlined and efficient?
Nothing wastes more time than a lack of processes and structure within your organization. Your team members will struggle with productivity and be de-motivated if they are facing bottlenecks and delays in their work. A CFO can implement systems and also suggest software solutions to streamline processes, or even automate what is possible to save time and money for your organization.
If you have processes in place, you can afford to take your eyes off at least some aspects of your business, freeing up time and mind space.
Are you looking for funds to grow your business?
A growing business needs funds, and there are various options available each with its own potential benefits and risks. Whether you are looking at loans to fund your business, or at divesting some of your equity in return for funds, a CFO can ensure that you pick the right option.
If you are looking for loans, a CFO can help you find the best banks or lenders at the best rates. While seeking investments, the CFO can do accurate valuations and present your business in the best light to investors.
Is your finance team struggling to cope with your growing requirements?
As your business grows, so will the demands on your finance team. If they are not equipped with training and resources, the team will struggle to cope with more numbers, bigger reports, more compliances, and so on.
A CFO can empower your team with expertise and experience gained over the years, working with other organizations in your industry, to implement best practices and to keep up with your growing demands.
Is your business going through a phase of rapid expansion?
Whether you are expanding to new geographies, trying out a new line of products or services, targeting a new set of audience, or hiring more employees, growth involves more funds, more decisions, more reports, and more of your time.
Hiring a CFO can help you align your growth to your business objectives, ensuring that you stay true to your purpose.
How can Finavi CFO help?
As an owner of a fast-growing business, having a CFO is not a luxury, but a necessity for sustainable growth and financial stability. If you are struggling with any of these 10 cues in your business, it is time to start looking for a CFO for your business. We can assure you that you are in the right place. With our Virtual CFO services, you can gain the expertise and experience of a CFO without hiring a full-time employee, reducing overheads for your business.
Finavi CFO’s experts have over 15 years of experience in enabling small and medium businesses to achieve their growth potential through systematic financial planning. Our CFO advisory services can help get you 100% compliant, streamline your business processes, and focus on rapid growth. Reach out to us today to learn more about our Virtual CFO services and how they can transform your organization.
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