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How to Tell if You’re Qualified to Offer CFO Advisory Services
How to Tell if You’re Qualified to Offer CFO Advisory Services
Adam Lean
Mar. 18, 2025 • 5 min read
Mar. 18, 2025 • 5 min read
Are You Truly Qualified to Be a CFO for Small Businesses?
Are You Truly Qualified to Be a CFO for Small Businesses?
If you've ever doubted whether you’re qualified to offer CFO advisory services, you’re not alone. Many financial professionals hesitate to call themselves CFOs because they don’t fit the traditional corporate mold.
But here’s the truth: a CFO is just a title—it means what you define it to mean for small businesses.
In this article, we’ll explore what really qualifies you to become a CFO for small businesses, and how you can confidently step into this role—even if you’ve never held a CFO title before.
But here’s the truth: a CFO is just a title—it means what you define it to mean for small businesses.
In this article, we’ll explore what really qualifies you to become a CFO for small businesses, and how you can confidently step into this role—even if you’ve never held a CFO title before.
Watch the Full Breakdown
Watch the Full Breakdown
Prefer to watch the full video instead? Check it out below:
My Story: From Impostor Syndrome to CFO
When I first started introducing myself as a CFO for small businesses, I felt like a fraud. I had never been a CFO before, nor had I even worked closely with one. My background was in accounting, and I had only ever heard my company’s CFO speak on investor calls.
So, at a business networking breakfast, when I first said, "Hi, my name is Adam Lean, and I’m a CFO for small businesses," I cringed inside.
But something surprising happened next that changed everything.
I set up one-on-one meetings with business owners from that event and explained how I could help them analyze their numbers, increase their profits, and improve their cash flow. And almost every single one of them hired me.
Not because I had the "CFO" title, but because I explained how my service helped them achieve their business goals.
That’s when I realized:
So, at a business networking breakfast, when I first said, "Hi, my name is Adam Lean, and I’m a CFO for small businesses," I cringed inside.
But something surprising happened next that changed everything.
I set up one-on-one meetings with business owners from that event and explained how I could help them analyze their numbers, increase their profits, and improve their cash flow. And almost every single one of them hired me.
Not because I had the "CFO" title, but because I explained how my service helped them achieve their business goals.
That’s when I realized:
- Business owners don’t care about titles—they care about results.
- Being a CFO for small businesses is about guiding business owners to success (however they define success).
- Your qualifications don’t come from a title but from your ability to generate results.
What Really Qualifies You as a CFO?
Many accountants, bookkeepers, and financial professionals feel unqualified to offer CFO advisory services because they compare themselves to CFOs in large corporations.
But a CFO for small businesses is different. Here’s what truly qualifies you:
At the end of the day, business owners want financial clarity, not complex reports. If you can translate numbers into actionable strategies that drive profitability, you are qualified to be a CFO for small businesses.
But a CFO for small businesses is different. Here’s what truly qualifies you:
- You understand financial data and how to improve cash flow.
- You can guide business owners to make better financial decisions.
- You can communicate financial insights in a way that business owners understand.
At the end of the day, business owners want financial clarity, not complex reports. If you can translate numbers into actionable strategies that drive profitability, you are qualified to be a CFO for small businesses.
Why Titles Don’t Matter—Results Do
Let’s use an analogy:
Same title, completely different responsibilities.
Likewise, being a CFO for small businesses is different from being a CFO of a Fortune 500 company.
When I first introduced myself as a CFO, business owners didn’t care about my past experience. What they cared about was:
If you can provide clear financial direction and help small business owners grow, you are well on your way to becoming qualified.
- A person coaching a 5-year-old’s basketball team is a coach.
- An NBA head coach is also a coach.
Same title, completely different responsibilities.
Likewise, being a CFO for small businesses is different from being a CFO of a Fortune 500 company.
When I first introduced myself as a CFO, business owners didn’t care about my past experience. What they cared about was:
- Will this person help me make more money?
- Can they help me understand my finances better?
- Do they genuinely care about my business?
If you can provide clear financial direction and help small business owners grow, you are well on your way to becoming qualified.
The Two Skills That Make You a CFO
Being a CFO for small businesses comes down to mastering two key skills:
If you can analyze a business’s financials and provide a roadmap for:
…then you’re offering exactly what a small business CFO should provide.
You need to develop:
If you can guide business owners toward better financial habits, you are providing real CFO value—even if you’ve never held a CFO title before.
1. Knowing How to Generate Positive Cash Flow Consistently
Every struggling business owner needs one thing to stay afloat: consistent positive cash flow.If you can analyze a business’s financials and provide a roadmap for:
- Increasing profits
- Improving cash flow
- Reducing financial risks
…then you’re offering exactly what a small business CFO should provide.
2. Getting Business Owners to Follow Your Advice
Knowing the numbers is one thing. Getting a business owner to take action is another.You need to develop:
- Strong communication skills – Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable steps.
- Trust and credibility – Show business owners that you genuinely care about their success.
- The ability to influence decisions – Help them see the impact of their choices on their bottom line.
If you can guide business owners toward better financial habits, you are providing real CFO value—even if you’ve never held a CFO title before.
The Real-World Impact of Small Business CFOs
Why does this matter? Because half of all businesses fail within five years.
Imagine if every struggling business had a CFO who could help them avoid financial mistakes and create consistent cash flow.
This is the true value of CFO advisory services. It’s not about titles—it’s about making a tangible impact.
Imagine if every struggling business had a CFO who could help them avoid financial mistakes and create consistent cash flow.
- More businesses would succeed.
- More jobs would be saved.
- More entrepreneurs would achieve financial freedom.
This is the true value of CFO advisory services. It’s not about titles—it’s about making a tangible impact.
How to Build Confidence as a CFO
If you still feel hesitant about calling yourself a CFO, here’s how to build confidence:
- Refine your financial advisory skills – Learn how to optimize cash flow, increase profitability, and create financial strategies.
- Work with small business owners – The more businesses you help, the more confident you’ll become.
- Position yourself as a problem-solver – Focus on the results you deliver, not just the title you use.
- Join a mentorship program – Learn from experienced CFO advisors who have already walked this path.
Are You Ready to Become a CFO for Small Businesses?
Here’s the bottom line: You are qualified to be a CFO when you can consistently help business owners generate positive cash flow and grow their businesses.
Want to learn how to confidently offer CFO advisory services and attract clients who need your help?
Join our free training and discover how to escape the accountant’s trap and build a business that works for you:
https://thecfoproject.com/start-a-cfo-service
Start growing your CFO advisory practice today.
- You don’t need to be a corporate CFO.
- You don’t need decades of experience.
- You just need to be good at guiding business owners toward financial success.
Want to learn how to confidently offer CFO advisory services and attract clients who need your help?
Join our free training and discover how to escape the accountant’s trap and build a business that works for you:
https://thecfoproject.com/start-a-cfo-service
Start growing your CFO advisory practice today.
Want to Learn More?
Option #1: Check out our full breakdown in our advice video.
Option #2: Learn how to finally escape the accountant's trap (of trading time for money) and join the hundreds of other financial professionals who have made the transition to offering high-ticket CFO Advisory services.: https://thecfoproject.com/start-a-cfo-service
Option #3: Join an upcoming Right-Fit call to meet with an Enrollment Advisor to get a behind-the-scenes tour of our done-with-you mentorship program where we'll give you a turnkey system to start offering CFO Advisory services. Click to reserve your spot.
Option #2: Learn how to finally escape the accountant's trap (of trading time for money) and join the hundreds of other financial professionals who have made the transition to offering high-ticket CFO Advisory services.: https://thecfoproject.com/start-a-cfo-service
Option #3: Join an upcoming Right-Fit call to meet with an Enrollment Advisor to get a behind-the-scenes tour of our done-with-you mentorship program where we'll give you a turnkey system to start offering CFO Advisory services. Click to reserve your spot.
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Escape the accountant's trap and create a business that works for you!
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Discover how to grow your practice this year through CFO Advisory services.
Finally escape the accountant's trap (of trading time for money) and join the hundreds of other financial professionals who have made the transition to offering high-ticket CFO Advisory services.
In this training you'll discover the proven system for getting clients and providing an effective (and efficient!) CFO Advisory service.
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In this training you'll discover the proven system for getting clients and providing an effective (and efficient!) CFO Advisory service.
This training is eligible to receive CPE credit.
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