By Joe O'Regan, founder of Intrinsic CFO, fractional CFO to some of Ireland's most exciting startups and the current Chair of ACCA Ireland.
There isn't a founder on the planet who wakes up one morning and thinks, "Today is the day I need a CFO." The realisation is always a more gradual one.
The importance of Financial Leadership
Numbers become more opaque to interpret. Revenues could be rising, but cash flow feels squeezed. Hiring decisions start to carry more weight. Investment conversations begin to surface. Overall, the business is moving forward, but the financial picture is becoming more complex rather than clearer.
It's at this stage that bookkeeping and compliance no longer suffice for what the founder(s) need. They need financial leadership to scale up. And crucially, someone who understands not just their numbers, but how those numbers compare to other companies at a similar stage and in a similar sector.
The CFO myth
It's a commonly held belief that only the likes of Fortune 500 or large companies can afford a CFO. However, financial strategy becomes critical long before a company reaches enterprise size.
For small and mid-sized companies, the services of a full-time CFO are not necessarily required. That said, having access to a fractional CFO on a part-time basis can make all the difference.
In a nutshell, the role of a fractional CFO is to bring senior-level financial expertise to the business minus the full-time cost. Yes, spreadsheets will be present, but the real role is translating financial data into decisions that shape growth, resilience and long-term sustainability.
Generally, founders don't lack ambition.
But while revenue targets may be clear, that clarity doesn't always follow through into other areas of the business. The ambition is seldom matched with a structured financial roadmap. If profit margins, cash runway, funding requirements and the purpose behind spend are vague, this can be the death knell for a growing startup.
A good fractional CFO doesn't just report the numbers. They challenge assumptions, join up the dots between strategy, sales, hiring and funding, and help ensure that every major cost supports a clear commercial objective.
Managing cash flow before it manages you
In the world of start-ups and scale-ups, "exit" or "profit" are the words everyone wants to hear. "Cash flow" just doesn't have the same allure.
But cash flow is the kingmaker when it comes to growing your business.
A company can be profitable on paper and still struggle to meet short-term obligations. Or just a few late payments could derail operations. That's before unexpected expenses or seasonal fluctuations create pressure.
This is also where an experienced fractional CFO adds value beyond the ledger. They can help founders understand when to use non-dilutive funding such as grants. And, just as importantly, when not to. Grants can be powerful at the right stage, particularly for innovation, R&D or market expansion, but they should support strategy, not distort it or distract the team from customers.
Fundraising is another area where early financial leadership pays dividends.
Investors may be interested in your product or service, but they're really paying attention to how the economics function in your business. Clear financial models, realistic projections and transparent reporting build credibility. Even companies not actively seeking investment benefit from operating with this level of discipline because it strengthens internal decision-making as well as external perception.
A fractional CFO also saves the founder time to do what they do best. While no one doubts their commitment, it's no use to the business for a founder to burn the midnight oil wrestling with spreadsheets. With the right financial leadership in place, founders can focus on customers, product and team with the knowledge that the financial engine is being actively managed and challenged.
Why tech companies feel it sooner
Growing companies across...

Why Growing Companies Need Financial Leadership Before They Think They Do