In the purest sense, a Fractional CFO delivers forward‑looking strategic guidance. Think “Where do we need to be next week, next quarter, next year to hit our five‑year exit target?” rather than bookkeeping or basic statement reviews.
A high‑impact Fractional CFO will:
- Set an achievable North Star (owner income, valuation, exit, or capital efficiency).
- Build rolling cash‑flow and margin models to map the road ahead.
- Stress‑test tax, debt, and equity scenarios.
- Coach the CEO and leadership team through weekly, monthly, and quarterly priorities.
We’ve scoured the Denver area to compile this definitive list of top-notch Fractional CFOs.
Our criteria?
Years of experience, range of services, and recommendations, to name a few. This list aims to fast-track your search and elevate your financial operations. Whether you’re a startup or a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME).
Let’s dive in.
1. Alexej Pikovsky’s Fractional CFO Collective
Scaling an eCommerce brand means balancing cash‑gobbling growth with ruthless margin discipline, usually on a shoestring finance team. After years operating, investing, and advising in the eCommerce arena, Alexej Pikovsky saw founders struggling to find finance partners who actually understood SKU‑level profitability, ad‑spend pacing, and inventory finance.
So he built something different: a vetted Fractional CFO Collective designed exclusively for consumer, retail, and eCommerce brands in Denver.
Why founders choose Alexej’s bench over generic talent platforms:
- Founder‑First Vetting – Hand‑screened CFOs who’ve already scaled seven‑ to nine‑figure DTC brands.
- Local Insight – Operators with deep Denver/Boulder networks—think lender relationships, investor warm intros, and regional tax nuance.
- Vertical Mastery – Every partner has proven wins in Amazon, Shopify, or retail‑hybrid models.
- Speed to Value – Average match time: 10–14 days. First margin‑impact initiative: 2–6 weeks.
- Transparent Pricing – Flat retainers; no recruiter mark‑ups.
- Community Access – Founders matched through Alexej also gain entry to his eCommerce profitability circle.
Next step: Book a discovery call—Alexej will present one or two perfectly‑matched CFOs ready to start within 14 days.
2. Dan DeGolier, Ascent CFO
Core Focus
Fractional CFO with nearly three decades of experience elevating entrepreneurs and high‑growth businesses across SaaS, manufacturing, and eCommerce.
Operational Finance Highlights
- Cash‑flow forecasting and scenario modelling that simplify complex finances.
- Custom financial models and KPI dashboards tailored to each client.
Fundraising / M&A Highlights
- End‑to‑end capital‑raising support, from lender negotiation to investor presentations.
- Buy‑side and sell‑side advisory through Ascent CFO’s flexible engagement model.
Other Experience
- Former Big 4 CPA and full‑time CFO for multiple private companies.
- B.S. in Accounting from Colorado State University.
- Reputation for a client‑centric, “upward” partnership style.
3. Griffen O’Shaughnessy, Canopy Advisory Group
Core Focus
Griffen O’Shaughnessy is a unique blend of attorney and CPA, boasting over two decades of professional experience. She honed her skills in M&A and auditing before founding Canopy in 2009.
Operational Finance Highlights
- Builds project‑based financial roadmaps and interim leadership solutions.
- Curates top independent professionals for contract and project finance work.
Fundraising / M&A Highlights
- Deep deal‑structuring skill set from Holland & Hart’s M&A practice.
- Advises on contract terms and diligence to streamline transactions.
Other Experience
- BA in Accounting (Goshen College) and JD, magna cum laude (American University).
- Denver Business Journal “40 Under 40” (2018) and Outstanding Women in Business finalist (2016).
4. David Cox, Focused Energy
Core Focus
An adept technology and media executive who turns finance functions into customer‑centric, data‑driven growth engines.
Operational Finance Highlights
- Player‑coach model that installs cost‑effective finance teams and KPI dashboards.
- Expertise in ERP implementations (Oracle, PeopleSoft) to scale reporting.
Fundraising / M&A Highlights
- Has led six recent acquisitions across global media and technology sectors, as noted in his public résumé.
- Partners with senior executives and PE firms to craft growth strategies.
Other Experience
- Former COO driving significant revenue growth via marketing and operations.
- Proven track record in real‑estate oversight and HR collaboration.
5. Brooke Martellaro, C Squared Solutions
Core Focus
A Master’s‑educated finance leader, Brooke Martello has specialized in risk mitigation and operational strategy across construction, finance, healthcare, and tech for over 20 years.
Operational Finance Highlights
- Budgeting, forecasting, and KPI reporting that fortified financial standing.
- Drove more than 200 % revenue growth and first profitable year for a high‑growth start‑up.
Fundraising / M&A Highlights
- Led M&A due‑diligence processes for private‑equity‑backed companies.
- Guided successful 2019 acquisition following operational turnaround.
Other Experience
- MBA from Colorado State University; B.A. in Organisational Communication from Western Colorado University.
- Skilled in stakeholder communication and relationship building.
6. Paul Heffner, Finance Pals
Core Focus
This Fractional CFO and FP&A specialist has been helping startups and small businesses decode their numbers and accelerate growth. With over 12 years of experience, Paul Heffner combines his love for numbers, business, and helping people to offer tailored financial services.
Operational Finance Highlights
- Bookkeeping, accounting, and cash‑flow forecasting for over 30 CEOs.
- Monthly reporting packages that drive decision‑ready insights.
Fundraising / M&A Highlights
- Angel investor and mentor with Rockies Venture Club and Innosphere.
- Provides strategic guidance on fundraising strategy and investor relations.
Other Experience
- Diverse background including management consulting and international service roles.
- Presenter at Denver Startup Week and Ignite Denver, per event speaker lists.
7. Matt Draymore, CFO Share
Core Focus
This startup‑savvy Fractional CFO’s expertise lies in crafting financial and operational strategies for SaaS, MedTech, and consumer brands. Matt Draymore is the go-to expert for navigating financial uncertainties and turning them into actionable business strategies.
Operational Finance Highlights
- Leads outsourced and in‑house finance teams, implementing worry‑free accounting.
- Builds KPI frameworks and cash‑flow models that highlight risks and opportunities.
Fundraising / M&A Highlights
- Provides investment and M&A advisory, including board‑level presentations.
- Prepares companies for funding rounds and strategic exits.
Other Experience
- Finance degree from the University of Colorado.
- Embedded in Boulder/Denver accelerator and venture‑capital ecosystems.
How Alexej Matches You With Denver’s Best CFO Talent
Curious what unfolds once you click “Book a discovery call”? The steps below show how Alexej’s Denver‑based Fractional CFO Collective hand‑picks and onboards the ideal finance partner for your brand, usually in under two weeks.
Who It’s For
Six‑ to nine‑figure eCommerce brands that have outgrown basic bookkeeping but need sharper insight than a controller can offer. Every engagement starts with your personal objectives—whether a seven‑figure exit, passive dividends, or global expansion—and then reverse‑engineers the finance roadmap.
Strategic Finance Pillars and Typical Impact
| Pillar | Focus Area | Typical Impact |
| Financial Road‑Mapping | 13‑week cash‑flow & five‑year models tied to founder goals | Clear runway & data‑driven milestones |
| Margin Expansion | SKU contribution, ad spend efficiency, 3PL benchmarking | +2–8 percentage‑points gross margin |
| Capital Strategy | Debt vs. equity mix, inventory financing, investor decks | Lower cost of capital, faster closes |
| Tax Optimisation | Inventory timing, R&D credits, cross‑border structuring | Reduced effective tax rate |
| Exit Readiness | Data‑room build, QoE‑ready numbers, valuation‑optimised KPIs | Multiple uplift at sale |
Engagement Models and Price Guide
| Model | Typical Scope | Price Guide |
| Monthly Retainer | Ongoing strategic finance leadership—cash‑flow forecasting, board reporting, KPI dashboards, lender / investor calls | $2 000–$6 000 / month |
| Hourly / Project | Deep dives such as SKU‑margin audit, 3PL tender, or fundraising deck | From $140 / hour |
| Equity / Success Fee | Optional kicker for capital raise or M&A | 1–3 % of capital raised or 0.5–1.5 × monthly retainer at close |
A part‑time CFO costs <10 % of a full‑time hire yet can add 5–10× that outlay in profit, cash‑flow resilience, or exit value.
Operational Finance
- Rolling 13‑week cash‑flow and SKU‑level margin dashboards
- Inventory, ad‑spend, and supplier‑terms optimisation to tighten cash‑conversion cycles
- ERP and Shopify Plus integrations for real‑time P&L views
Fundraising / M&A
- Investor‑grade multi‑scenario forecasts and sensitivity tables
- Capital‑stack design to balance dilution, debt service, and tax
- Full exit prep: data room, QoE coordination, buyer outreach, and bid comparison
Alexej’s Five‑Layer Vetting Gauntlet
- Background and fraud checks
- Case‑study modelling exam
- Reference calls with past CEOs and investors
- Soft‑skill and culture‑fit interview
- Paid trial sprint on a live client brief
Only candidates who clear every layer join the bench. Alexej re‑scores each operator quarterly to keep standards razor‑sharp.
Within fourteen days Alexej will present one or two perfectly‑matched CFOs ready to start. Engagements also unlock access to the eCommerce Founder Community (see below).
eCommerce Founder Community
Not ready to hire a Fractional CFO yet?
Join our peer group instead. The community is designed first for eCommerce founders, but any operator who wants to master cash‑flow management, profitability, and financial decision‑making is welcome.
Over the years, Alexej Pikovsky has benefited from elite groups such as Hampton, YPO, OnDeck, EO, and Dynamite Circle. Yet none dive into the granular finance levers that determine online‑retail profitability.
So he created a private community laser‑focused on one goal: maximizing profit margins for eCommerce brands doing $500,000 to $20 million in annual sales.
Member benefits include:
- Profit‑First Webinars and Masterminds – Live sessions where veteran operators share margin‑boosting tactics.
- Peer Knowledge Exchange – Private forum to discuss supplier terms, capital‑efficiency hacks, and salary benchmarks.
- Exclusive Dinners – Intimate gatherings in Los Angeles, New York, London, Lisbon, and Dubai.
- Resource Vault and Warm Intros – Templates, SOPs, plus access to an investor network.
Interested? Apply to join here →
FAQ
A Fractional CFO offers their financial expertise to businesses on a part-time or project basis. Unlike a full-time CFO, a Fractional CFO offers flexibility and cost-effectiveness, making it an ideal solution for startups, small businesses, and companies in transitional phases. They handle tasks like financial planning, budgeting, risk assessment, and strategic decision-making, among others.
Choosing a good Fractional CFO involves several factors such as experience, industry expertise, and the range of services offered. Look for professionals who have a proven track record in your industry and can demonstrate their impact through case studies or client testimonials. It’s also crucial to consider their communication skills, as they’ll be working closely with your executive team. Lastly, ensure they offer the specific services you need, whether it’s financial modelling, fundraising, or M&A advisory.
The pricing model for Fractional CFOs can vary. Some may charge an hourly rate, while others may work on a retainer basis. It’s essential to discuss pricing upfront and ensure it aligns with your budget and the value you expect to receive.
Through his vetted network, Alexej can place a specialized Fractional CFO in as little as fourteen days, versus the typical two‑ to three‑month search. Whether you need a hands‑on margin tactician or a deal‑seasoned finance strategist, Alexej can match you with the right partner—fast.
Book a 20‑minute discovery call
Or, if you’re already generating six‑figure revenue and want peer support:
