What does it take to bring financial clarity to a growing business?

In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, we’re cutting through the noise with Jim Emerich, founder and CEO of Backbone CFO, to talk about how businesses can move from financial chaos to control—and why a fractional CFO might be the key to making it happen.

Jim shares hard-earned insights on when a company is ready for financial leadership beyond bookkeeping, and how strategic forecasting, cash flow modeling, and dynamic financial planning can transform operations. He breaks down his "chaos to control" framework, anchored by five core pillars: cash, profit, people, systems, and position.

If you're advising business owners—or you are one—you'll want to hear this conversation. It’s packed with practical guidance for creating a more stable, scalable, and ultimately more valuable company.

About Our Guest:

Jim Emerich is the founder of and CEO at Backbone CFO. His professional career boasts many accomplishments, including Chief Financial Officer at Parts Life Inc. During his time at PLI, he led efforts to acquire DeVal Life Cycle Support as well as LC Engineers, Inc. and successfully integrated both companies into the PLI family. He has closed financing deals including acquisition, real estate, working capital and equipment financing. Though he experienced an exciting career trajectory, in his heart he knew small business was always near and dear. This passion ultimately led him to focus on launching Backbone CFO with the primary purpose of creating clarity for growth-minded business owners.

About the Host:

Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries.

Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers.

He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.”

Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions.

He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.

🔸 Grab Dave’s Books: The New ROI: Return on Individuals | The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers | A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know

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