Frequently Asked Questions
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What's the difference between a profit advisor and a CFO?
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Great question. A traditional CFO (Chief Financial Officer) typically focuses on enterprise-level financial management, preparing reports for boards and investors, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing complex capital structures, and overseeing large finance teams. They're essential for corporations but often overkill for small to mid-sized businesses.
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A profit advisor focuses on what owner-operated businesses actually need: operational profitability, optimized cash flow, and strategic growth. I'm not here to prepare board presentations or manage your accounting department. I'm here to help you make more money, keep more of what you make, and build a business that works for you instead of the other way around. Think of it as the financial leadership you need without the corporate overhead you don't.
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How is this different from what my bookkeeper does?
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Your bookkeeper is essential; they record transactions, reconcile accounts, and ensure your books are accurate. They tell you what happened last month. I'll show you what's possible next month and how to get there. While your bookkeeper focuses on accuracy and compliance, I focus on strategy and profitability.
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Here's the problem: standard bookkeeping reports are designed for regulators and tax purposes, not strategic decision-making. When you look at your financials, you can't easily answer critical questions like "What's actually driving revenue?" or "Why are my margins shrinking?" I dig deeper than the P&L, running trend analysis and preparing strategic reports that answer the questions keeping you up at night, then translate those insights into action plans that move your business forward.
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I already have a CPA. Do I still need a profit advisor?
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Absolutely, and they complement each other perfectly. Your CPA ensures you're compliant with tax laws and helps minimize your tax burden, critical functions. But CPAs typically aren't involved in your day-to-day operational decisions or cash flow management. I help you understand which products are profitable, how to price strategically, and how to avoid cash crunches before they happen. Your CPA makes sure you're legal; I make sure you're profitable.
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What size business is this right for?
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Profit advisory is ideal for established businesses generating $500K to $5M in annual revenue. You're past the startup phase, you have employees or contractors, and you're juggling multiple financial priorities. If you're constantly putting out fires, struggling with cash flow despite being "profitable on paper," or unsure which parts of your business actually make money, we're a perfect fit.
How much time does this require from me?
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Less than you think. We meet monthly for about an hour to review progress and set your monthly action plan. Between meetings, I do the heavy lifting, analyzing your financials, identifying opportunities, and preparing recommendations. Weekly check-ins (usually 5-15 minutes) are available to keep momentum going. The time investment is minimal compared to the clarity and results you'll gain.
What results can I expect?
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While every business is different, most clients experience improved cash flow predictability within the first 90 days. Many identify 10-20% profit improvements by eliminating unprofitable products or customers, optimizing pricing, or tightening operational inefficiencies. But the biggest win? Peace of
mind. You'll stop losing sleep over money and start making confident, data-driven decisions.
Do you provide bookkeeping services?
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No, and here's why: bookkeeping and strategic advisory require different skill sets. I partner with your existing bookkeeper (or can recommend one if you need) to ensure your books are clean and current. That way, I can focus entirely on strategy, analysis, and helping you grow, not data entry.
What if my books are a mess?
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No judgment, I've seen worse. We won't wait for perfect books to get started. We'll identify immediate opportunities while helping expedite the clean-up of your data in parallel, so you're making progress from day one.
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How do I know if this is worth the investment?
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Ask yourself: What's it costing you NOT to have clarity? The sleepless nights, missed opportunities, cash flow stress, and decisions made in the dark all have a price tag. If you're leaving even 10% of potential profit on the table, profit advisory pays for itself quickly. Simple truth: if my insights don't generate more profit than you're paying me, I haven't earned your business.
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What makes you different from other financial advisors?
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Two things: experience and empathy. I've run six businesses of my own, so I've sat in your chair. I know what it's like to make payroll when cash is tight, to wonder if that new hire is worth it, to lose sleep over a big decision. I'm not a consultant who's never operated a business; I'm a fellow business owner who
happens to be really good with numbers. When I say "I've been there," I mean it.
How do we get started?
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Book a free consultation. We'll talk about where your business is, your challenges, financial goals, and whether we're a good fit. No pressure, no pitch, just clarity on whether this makes sense for you. If it does, we'll map out your next steps.