Fractional CFO vs Outsourced Accounting

Strategic leadership vs operational support

Outsourced accounting handles transaction processing, bookkeeping, and compliance reporting. A fractional CFO provides strategic financial leadership. Most growing businesses eventually need both, but at different stages.

Outsourced accountants handle AP/AR, payroll processing, bank reconciliation, and basic financial reporting. They keep your books accurate and compliant—essential, but not strategic.

A fractional CFO builds on accurate books to provide forecasting, strategic analysis, investor relations, and financial decision support. They use financial data to drive business decisions.

Start with outsourced accounting early. Add a fractional CFO when you need strategic financial guidance—typically when raising capital, scaling rapidly, or facing complex financial decisions.

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