When Is Your Business Ready for a Fractional CFO? Expert Insights from Laresa McIntyre

As your business scales, the financial landscape becomes increasingly complex. Many founders find themselves overwhelmed by cash flow management, forecasting, and financial decision-making—realizing their passion alone isn’t enough to sustain growth. In this episode, host Josh Elledge interviews Laresa McIntyre, fractional CFO and Founder of Rockbridge CFO, who shares her insights on when to bring in a fractional CFO, how to prepare for that step, and how doing so can transform your business operations and confidence.

The Right Time to Hire a Fractional CFO

Laresa explains that a fractional CFO is a part-time financial executive who provides strategic planning, forecasting, and financial insight—without the cost of a full-time hire. Businesses typically benefit when revenue reaches the $1M–$2M mark or when decision-making starts to rely too heavily on gut instinct instead of data. She highlights clear signs that a company is ready for financial leadership: outgrowing basic tools like QuickBooks, feeling uncertain about profitability, or needing clarity around cash flow and personnel costs.

A fractional CFO doesn’t just manage numbers—they partner with founders to bring order, foresight, and peace of mind. Laresa shares how implementing more detailed financial reporting and proactive cash flow forecasting helps business owners understand where their money is going, where it should go next, and how to allocate it efficiently. This support allows leaders to step back from financial stress and focus on strategy, growth, and innovation instead.

For founders still below seven figures, Laresa recommends starting early by setting up robust accounting systems and forecasting tools. Preparation ensures a fractional CFO can deliver maximum value once engaged. By building these systems in advance, founders avoid reactive decisions and gain clarity on how each financial move impacts long-term scalability.

About Laresa McIntyre

Laresa McIntyre is the Founder and Fractional CFO at Rockbridge CFO, where she helps businesses gain financial clarity, improve profitability, and scale strategically. With years of experience supporting founders and executive teams, she specializes in transforming financial chaos into actionable growth strategies.

About Rockbridge CFO

Rockbridge CFO provides strategic financial leadership for growing companies through fractional CFO services. The firm focuses on forecasting, profitability analysis, and cash flow management—empowering business owners to make confident, data-driven decisions without the expense of a full-time CFO.

Links Mentioned in this Episode

• Rockbridge CFO
• Laresa McIntyre LinkedIn Profile

Key Episode Highlights

• Signs your business is ready for a fractional CFO
• How financial forecasting improves decision-making
• Common gaps in accounting systems for scaling companies
• The emotional and strategic benefits of CFO partnership
• How to prepare your financial foundation before reaching seven figures

Conclusion

Hiring a fractional CFO isn’t just about managing your finances—it’s about reclaiming your time, focus, and confidence as a leader. As Laresa McIntyre explains, the right time to bring in a CFO is when you’re ready to grow with clarity and strategy instead of stress and guesswork. Whether your business is at $500K or $5M, proactive financial leadership can set the foundation for sustainable, scalable success.

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