I help small and mid-sized business owners make high-stakes financial decisions with confidence—whether that means running or acquiring a company, raising capital, improving performance, or preparing for an exit.
I work as a fractional CFO and M&A advisor to founders, investors, and management teams, typically in the $2M–$10M revenue range, providing senior-level financial leadership without the cost of a full-time executive.
My background includes 25+ years as a partner at two major CPA firms and 10+ years running my own financial and M&A advisory firm. In addition to advisory work, I have hands-on experience running business units, turning around underperforming operations, and building new practice areas—so my guidance is practical, not theoretical.
How I Help Clients
Fractional CFO & Financial Leadership
-Financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, and cash-flow modeling
-KPI dashboards and board-level reporting
-Debt and equity financing support
-Pricing, margin improvement, and cost reduction
-Incentive compensation and performance plans
-Tax strategy oversight (in coordination with CPAs)
M&A, Due Diligence & Valuation
-Buy-side financial due diligence & Quality of Earnings (QoE)
-Pre-LOI analysis and valuation
-Deal structuring and acquisition financing
-Sell-side readiness & reverse due diligence
-Partner buyouts and internal transactions
Strategic Growth & Exit Planning
-Growth planning and execution support
-Capital planning for scale
-Exit planning and sale readiness
-Special financial and strategic projects
Selected Engagement Examples
(Representative and anonymized)
-Conducted Q & E Review and financial due diligence and provided lender report for a manufacturing acquisition (~$12M revenue) with lender providing pari passu SBA and traditional financing, relying upon my work.
-Guided and advised the buyer through the valuation, structuring, and financing of a specialty construction company (~$13M revenue).
-Serves as long-time on-going fractional CFO for family or solo owner real estate, SaaS, consumer products, and instructional businesses, providing financial management and reporting, cash flow forecasting and budgeting, oversight of tax matters, and strategic financial advice and guidance.
-Prepared sell-side financials and exit readiness for founder-owned service firms.
-Structured partner buyouts and ownership transitions for multi-owner businesses.
Industries
-Technology & SaaS
-Professional & B2B services
-E-commerce & consumer brands
-Manufacturing & distribution
-Healthcare services
-Real estate & construction
Why Clients Choose Me
-100% Job Success on Upwork
-Expert-Vetted fractional CFO & M&A advisor
-600,000+ earned on Upwork across 300+ engagements
-Trusted with acquisition, financing, and exit decisions
-Clear communicator with owners, lenders, attorneys, and investors
Let’s Talk
If you’re considering an acquisition, need senior-level financial leadership, or want to prepare your business for growth or exit, I’m happy to discuss whether I’m the right fit.
Business Plan
Strategic Plan
Mergers & Acquisitions
Business Valuation
Startup Consulting
Process Improvement
Business Coaching
Capital Markets
Budget Management
Kate S.
Chicago, Illinois
$32/hr
5.0
2 jobs
I am a dynamic restaurant consultant with a proven track record in driving operational excellence, elevating customer experiences, and maximizing revenue growth. Skilled in optimizing workflows, restructuring leadership teams, and executing strategic initiatives that accelerate business performance. Expertise in refining menu offerings, enhancing operational efficiency, and crafting bespoke solutions that foster long-term success and cultivate customer loyalty.
I founded and was the managing partner for Messenger Coffee & Ibis Bakery in Kansas City (as part of this umbrella company, I also owned and operated 4 cafés called The Filling Stations, Blackdog Coffee House and a boutique bakery called Fervere. I had about 200 employees). I sold Messenger/Ibis to a PE firm in 2020 and have been restaurant, cafe and manufacturing consulting since.
My most recent project was consulting for an Australian café and full-service restaurant in Chicago, with the objective of making sure all parts of the scope were covered within the expected timeline for opening.
Business Operations
Growth Strategy
Restaurant Menu
Market Trends
Market Analysis
Customer Experience
Budget
Process Improvement
Cross Functional Team Leadership
Staff Development
Editing & Proofreading
Organizational Structure
Interior Design
Laura P.
Palos Hills, Illinois
$125/hr
4.6
2 jobs
Professional Summary
Strategic hospitality and customer service leader and coach with over 20 years of experience
improving profits, elevating service, driving operational efficiency,
organizational growth, and leadership development. Proven success
in leading cross-functional teams across finance, human resources,
and business operations. Expertise in
optimizing systems, managing strategic partnerships, and achieving
financial sustainability.
Restaurant Menu
Life Coaching
Business Coaching
Brand Development
Branding
Logo Design
Restaurant
Small Business Administration
Training & Development
Writing Critique
Presentation Design
Business Planning & Strategy
Human Resources
Recruiting
Writing
Mary L.
Batavia, Illinois
$150/hr
5.0
15 jobs
Over the last 20 years I've helped companies in over 20+ industries build and rollout critical sales processes like hiring process, onboarding, CRM, metrics, pipeline, KPIs, and sales process.
I served as VP of Sales and Director of National Sales for several Inc. 5,000 organizations. My experience and efforts impact the bottom line.
Business Consulting
Sales
Sales Management
Direct Sales
Sales Promotion
Emily B.
Oswego, Illinois
$65/hr
5.0
3 jobs
Experienced leader with 20+ years of driving operational success across multiple industries. I specialize in Customer Success, Process Optimization, and Project Management, and I’m passionate about getting projects done on time and on target while finding smarter ways to work more efficiently. I’m known for my strategic mindset, open communication style, and knack for bringing people together to solve tough problems. Ready to elevate your team’s success or streamline your processes? Let’s connect and see how I can help your business thrive!
Management Consulting
Life Coaching
Decision Making
Organizational Behavior
Coaching
Career Coaching
Customer Experience
Management Skills
Leadership Coaching
Project Management
AI Consulting
Employee Engagement
Cindy T.
Schaumburg, Illinois
$25/hr
5.0
2 jobs
I streamline operations and enhance customer relationships, drawing on 13 years of experience in relationship management and administrative support. I excel in high-volume environments, adept at managing complex workflows and maintaining meticulous documentation. My track record includes boosting team efficiency and improving client satisfaction through strategic support and organizational skills. I thrive on collaboration, having worked across various sectors including banking and small business consulting. If you need a reliable partner to optimize your operations or enhance client interactions, I am here to help. Let's discuss how I can contribute to your team's success.
Virtual Assistance
Project Management
Business Coaching
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