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Financial Consulting Services
Financial Consulting

The problems that only arrive once, and cannot be learned on the job.

As an organization grows, financial challenges show up that demand sophisticated, industry-specific skill, whether the work is in biotech, med-tech, manufacturing, technology, banking, or nonprofit. Our consultants bring that skill for the duration of the initiative.

Scope an initiative
See what we own
GOALS AND TYPICAL OUTCOMES AT A GLANCE
COMMITMENT
Project-based, for the length of the initiative.
TYPICAL TRIGGER
An audit, a transaction, a raise, or a reporting obligation.
WHO DOES THE WORK
Consultants with the specialized skill you lack in-house.
WHAT YOU GET
A fresh perspective on the finances, and the initiative delivered.
Our consultants get to know the organization inside and out, then use that to maximize its value.
WHEN THIS IS THE RIGHT CALL

There are a number of reasons to bring in financial consulting.

These engagements often sit alongside a fractional CFO rather than replacing one.

01
You would like a clear picture of where the money is actually going.
02
You want to eliminate needless costs.
03
You hope to take the business to the next level but are not sure how to do it.
04
You would like to identify opportunities and take action to capitalize on them.
What do our Financial Consulting services include?

An extension of your team, for the initiative in front of you.

There to answer the question, or to discuss the decision before it is made.

01

Deals and diligence

Mergers and acquisitions, IPO preparation, and fundraising, run by people who have been through them before.

02

Audit and reporting

Audit preparation and SEC reporting, so the deadline is met without an internal scramble.

03

Grants and contracts

Government grant and contract accounting, handled to the standard the funder expects.

04

Technical analysis

Transfer pricing analysis and the other specialized work that arrives without warning.

WHO LEADS IT

Consultants who learn the organization, not just the assignment.

Our consultants get to know your organization inside and out, then use their business acumen and financial expertise to maximize its value. They are there to answer the question, or to talk through the decision that will affect your finances and your future.

MEET THE LEADERSHIP TEAM →
Investing in financial consulting can be the difference between an organization surviving and thriving.
Charles River CFO · on financial consulting engagements
COMMON QUESTIONS

Straight answers, before you ask.

What does an interim CFO do?

An interim CFO works with your CEO, management team and board on the real decisions, with the same authority and scope your permanent CFO would carry. That means strategic counsel to the CEO, oversight of accounting and the supporting functions, reassurance for the board, investors, banks and auditors during a leadership change, and a clean handover to the permanent hire.

When should I bring in an interim CFO?

When you unexpectedly lose your CFO and want the seat filled while you run a search, when a sale, merger or debt raise needs specialized financial expertise, when you are planning for a break in CFO staffing due to parental or medical leave, or when your board, investors or lenders need to see a steady hand on finance between leaders.

How much does an interim CFO cost?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. An interim engagement is typically full-time for the length of the transition, so the cost depends on the scope and how long the seat needs covering. The best way to determine the right level of investment is to discuss your situation with us in a complimentary consultation.

What is a fractional CFO?

A fractional CFO gives you senior financial leadership on a regular, part-time basis, without the cost or the commitment of a full-time hire.

Who is a fractional CFO right for?

Mid-sized organizations that need CFO-level work but cannot justify a full-time CFO on payroll, start-ups that have advanced beyond basic accounting and need a senior financial advisor part-time, and companies whose finance function works but has nobody qualified to sit across from the board or the bank.

How much does a fractional CFO cost?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The cost depends on the level of expertise, scope and amount of support you need, and hours move with the business, with no renegotiation for a busy quarter. The best way to determine the right level of investment is to discuss your situation with us in a complimentary consultation.

What does outsourced accounting include?

Accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll, closing the general ledger each month, financial statements and the related reporting, plus tax planning and reporting handled alongside the accounting.

Can you work with the accounting team we already have?

Yes. We can handle the whole finance and accounting function, or augment the accounting department you already have.

How much does outsourced accounting cost?

It is ongoing and sized to what you use. You pay only for what you need, and the expertise is there when the work spikes. The best way to determine the right level of investment is to discuss your situation with us in a complimentary consultation.

What does financial consulting cover?

Mergers and acquisitions, IPO preparation and fundraising, audit preparation and SEC reporting, government grant and contract accounting, and transfer pricing analysis and the other specialized work that arrives without warning.

How long does a financial consulting engagement last?

It is project-based, for the length of the initiative: an audit, a transaction, a raise or a reporting obligation.

How much does financial consulting cost?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The work is project-based, so the cost follows the scope of the initiative. The best way to determine the right level of investment is to discuss your situation with us in a complimentary consultation.

What is AI-enabled finance at Charles River CFO?

It is a capability we offer where it fits a client's books. Not every client's close runs on it. Where it does, the close runs on a purpose-built AI close platform, and every deliverable is reviewed and approved by a named, Big 4-trained professional before it reaches you.

Do we have to move our books to a new system?

No. Your books stay in your own ledger, always. Nothing proprietary, nothing to migrate.

How much does AI-enabled finance cost?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The cost depends on the scope of the close and reporting you need. The best way to determine the right level of investment is to discuss your situation with us in a complimentary consultation.

What does tax consulting cover?

A complete review of your business entity structure and tax classification, U.S., state and local income and sales tax obligations and available credits, international tax and transfer pricing, and the deductions and credits that have been overlooked in past years.

Who leads the tax work?

James Crane, CPA, who leads our Entrepreneurial and Global Tax Practice and has saved clients more than $50M in R&D tax credits.

How much does tax consulting cost?

Engagements can be a project, annual, or total tax outsourcing, so the cost follows the shape you choose. The best way to determine the right level of investment is to discuss your situation with us in a complimentary consultation.

What is a financial assessment?

A focused, initial review of your finance and accounting operations, benchmarked against best practice. You receive a written assessment with prioritized, actionable recommendations.

How long does a financial assessment take?

It is a fixed-scope engagement, typically two to four weeks.

How much does a financial assessment cost?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The cost depends on the level of expertise, scope and amount of support your organization actually needs, and the assessment itself is a fixed-scope engagement. The best way to determine the right level of investment is to discuss your situation with us in a complimentary consultation.

Not the right shape? There are six other ways in.

ASK US WHICH ONE FITS

One call, no charge, and a straight answer on whether we are the right fit.

You will speak with the CFO for your market. If the answer is no, we will tell you that too.