A Fractional CFO is the founder’s strategic co‑pilot—never just a glorified bookkeeper. They start with your personal North Star (life‑changing exit, passive dividends, global reach) and work backwards, translating that destination into a step‑by‑step financial road map.
- Weekly to Five‑Year Visibility – From a 13‑week cash calendar to a five‑year value‑creation model, they spell out what must happen next week, next quarter, and next year to bridge the gap between today’s numbers and tomorrow’s valuation.
- Margin and Cash‑Flow Engineering – They dig into SKU‑level economics, ad‑spend pacing, tax strategy, and working‑capital levers that can free cash and lift margins—because profitable growth beats growth at any cost.
- Capital and Tax Strategy – Whether weighing debt vs. equity or structuring cross‑border sales for VAT efficiency, they stress‑test each scenario before capital or tax become constraints.
- CEO’s Trusted Sounding Board – A great fractional CFO plugs into the C‑suite at a personal level, challenging assumptions and pressure‑testing tactics so the founder can make bolder, data‑backed decisions.
Below is a rigorously vetted shortlist—curated by finance operator and investor Alexej Pikovsky—of the top 7 Fractional CFOs in New York turning numbers into durable growth.
1. Alexej Pikovsky’s Fractional CFO Collective
After years of investing and operating across multiple sectors, Alexej Pikovsky saw founders and executives struggling to locate finance partners who could balance ambition with today’s market reality.
In an era where “growth at all costs” has been replaced by a premium on profit and cash‑flow discipline, it’s critical to hire a finance leader who understands business strategy and holds the right values.
Alexej’s answer is a rigorously vetted Fractional CFO Collective, purpose‑built for profit‑oriented leaders in New York.
Why founders choose Alexej’s bench over generic talent platforms:
- Founder‑First Vetting – Only CFOs who’ve already scaled seven‑ to nine‑figure brands and passed Alexej’s five‑layer screen (background check → modelling exam → reference calls → culture‑fit interview → paid trial sprint) make the roster.
- NYC Insight – Operators plugged into local VC, growth‑equity, and venture‑debt circles—plus the tax nuances of operating across multiple U.S. states.
- Industry Specialization: Our fractional CFOs arrive with 5+ years of C-suite experience in your exact niche—whether that’s SaaS (SQLs, MQLs, NRR), eCommerce (contribution margins, SKUs, cohort retention), or construction & real estate (project cash flow, WIP schedules). They hit the ground running on day one, so you spend zero time coaching and 100% of your time scaling.
- Speed to Value – Average match time: 7 days. First margin‑impact initiative: 2–6 weeks.
- Transparent Pricing – Flat retainers; no recruiter mark‑ups
Next step: Hire an expert—Alexej will present a selection of perfectly‑matched CFOs ready to start within seven days.
2. Charles Bruschi, Venture Growth Partners
Core Focus
A forty‑year senior‑finance veteran, Charles Bruschi rebuilds B2B finance functions and navigates post‑merger integrations for printing, information services, and software companies.
Operational Finance Highlights
- Installed unified accounting platforms and internal controls across three merged entities at Canon Solutions America—halving the month‑end close time while supporting double‑sized revenue.
- Leads ERP implementations that bolster real‑time reporting and audit readiness.
Fundraising / M&A Highlights
- Drove due diligence, valuation modelling, and synergy realisation for Canon’s landmark integration, eliminating redundancies and centralising finance.
- Conducts pre‑sale quality‑of‑earnings reviews that maximise exit multiples for mid‑market B2B founders.
Other Experience
- Certified Public Accountant; BS Accounting, Fordham University.
- Former Controller and CFO roles across public and private B2B firms.
3. David Rudofsky, Rudofsky Associates
Core Focus
As a Wharton‑trained finance strategist, David Rudofsky delivers FP&A, M&A guidance, and data‑driven profit improvement to manufacturers, CPG brands, and mid‑market corporates.
Operational Finance Highlights
- Crafts factory‑level margin dashboards and corporate consolidation models—making cost drivers transparent from shop‑floor to boardroom.
- Teaches finance workshops at trade shows and universities, translating complex analytics into clear action steps.
Fundraising / M&A Highlights
- Advised on multiple corporate divestitures and joint ventures during tenure at Altria and Kraft, balancing stakeholder demands and timeline pressure.
- Builds scenario models that help owners decide between sale, spin‑off, or refinancing pathways.
Other Experience
- MBA Finance and Accounting, Wharton; Applied Math (Honors), Brown.
- Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor and correspondence‑chess master—underscoring a rigorous analytical mindset.
4. Catherine Jessup, The CFO Centre
Core Focus
Catherine Jessup is a former PepsiCo and Diageo finance leader turned fractional strategist for service, F&B, and non‑profit organizations needing cash discipline and strategic forecasting.
Operational Finance Highlights
- Developed multi‑year strategic plans and contingency playbooks for consumer‑product boards, aligning spend with growth objectives.
- Drove cash‑flow boosts via balance‑sheet optimisation, cost control, and external‑funding structures in cash‑intensive settings.
Fundraising / M&A Highlights
- Led bond issuances for non‑profits and executed acquisition integrations, smoothing transitions to shared‑services operating models.
- Partners with CEOs to navigate board reporting and investor communications during high‑stakes transactions.
Other Experience
- Recognised for cross‑organisational leadership and board‑level collaboration in both corporate and mission‑driven sectors.
5. Nicole Bezinski, NBP Consulting
Core Focus
A global CFO/COO, Nicole Bezinski has steered premier WPP agencies—including Cohn & Wolfe, Tenth Avenue (formerly WPP’s Geometry linked retail arm), and Creative Agency G2—plus innovation shops like ?What If! Innovation through aggressive M&A and digital transformation.
Operational Finance Highlights
- Built finance and operations playbooks for social‑media and eCommerce divisions, aligning P&L accountability with rapid client‑delivery cycles.
- Implemented margin‑tracking systems that tie project staffing to profitability in real time.
Fundraising / M&A Highlights
- Led global acquisition rolls for WPP, coordinating financial diligence, integration plans, and synergy tracking across continents.
- Architects valuation models and board packs that secure green‑lights for expansion plays.
Other Experience
- Bachelor’s, Temple University; Master’s, NYU.
- Known for assembling cross‑functional teams and fostering investor confidence with Fortune 500 clients such as Unilever, HSBC, and Ford across her agency portfolio.
6. Joseph Abadi, CFO Assist
Core Focus
An ex‑Goldman, JP Morgan, and Bear Stearns banker turned fractional CFO, Joseph Abadi has lent his services to private‑equity portfolio companies and real‑estate ventures.
Operational Finance Highlights
- Implements FP&A suites that convert complex real‑estate and portfolio data into week‑ahead cash‑flow and KPI clarity.
- Advises management on working‑capital optimisation and risk assessment across multinational operations.
Fundraising / M&A Highlights
- Spearheaded $12 billion distressed‑REIT acquisition and $10 million Series A raise—demonstrating range from large‑cap to startup capital formation.
- Delivers investor packages and model sensitivities that accelerate credit‑committee and board approvals.
Other Experience
- MBA Finance & Real Estate, Wharton; BS Finance, NYU Stern.
- Services tech, digital‑asset, and real‑estate clients via consultancy Proja.
7. Jennifer Yousem, I Heart EBITDA
Core Focus
This media and advertising finance veteran is making enterprise‑level FP&A and operational rigor accessible to mid‑market businesses through fractional CFO and outsourced controller services.
Operational Finance Highlights
- Turns complex media P&Ls into plain‑English dashboards—boosting CEO decision speed and confidence.
- Runs Supporting Strategies Queens for end‑to‑end bookkeeping and back‑office accuracy.
Fundraising / M&A Highlights
- Led finance workstreams in Verizon Hearst Media Partners’ merger to form Complex Networks, ensuring seamless integration and reporting continuity.
- Advises founders on valuation factors (EBITDA add‑backs, revenue diversity) ahead of strategic sales.
Other Experience
- Former finance leadership at Sony, Paramount, and Daily Mail.
- Insights featured in Business Insider, Dreamers & Doers, Thrive Global, and more.
8. Fuel Finance — Tech‑Enabled FP&A & CFO‑as‑a‑Service
Core Focus
Fuel Finance is a cloud‑based finance platform founded by Dasha Podgainaya and Alex Fedoriaka that embeds on‑demand CFO teams and AI‑driven cash‑flow models into high‑growth U.S. startups—many headquartered in New York’s SaaS and eCommerce corridors.
Operational Finance Highlights
- Connects Xero, QuickBooks, Stripe, and bank feeds to auto‑build P&L, cash‑flow, and cohort dashboards, replacing hundreds of manual spreadsheet hours.
- Provides monthly finance packs—budgets vs. actuals, KPI trendlines, burn analysis—delivered by a remote CFO squad for a flat subscription.
Fundraising / M&A Highlights
- Generates investor‑grade models and scenario planners that have supported $800 million+ in cumulative client capital raises.
- Preps data rooms and diligence Q&A, accelerating VC and lender decision cycles.
Other Experience
- Serves 250+ venture‑backed companies across the U.S. and Europe, including brands backed by Y Combinator, a16z, and General Catalyst.
- Raised a $8.5 million seed round in 2023 led by YC Continuity and angel investors such as Jeff Cruttenden.
- Recognised in Forbes Next 250 (2023) for innovation in finance automation.
How Alexej Matches You With New York’s Best CFO Talent
The steps below show how Alexej’s New York‑based Fractional CFO Collective hand‑picks and onboards the ideal finance partner for your brand, usually within seven days.
For a deeper dive into whether the investment pays off, read our guide Is a Fractional CFO Worth It?
Who It’s For
Six‑ to nine‑figure 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.
Avoid the Hidden Cost of a Mis‑Hire – Choosing the wrong finance leader can wipe out six‑figures in lost EBITDA and deal‑value erosion. Read the breakdown in our Ultimate Guide before you decide.
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 seven days, Alexej will present a selection of perfectly‑matched CFOs ready to start.
FAQ
A Fractional CFO is a financial expert who offers services to multiple companies on a part-time or contractual basis. They provide the same level of financial oversight and strategic planning as a full-time CFO but without the commitment of a continuous position. This arrangement is particularly beneficial for SMEs that require high-level financial expertise but cannot afford or justify the cost of a full-time CFO.
Choosing a good Fractional CFO involves several key considerations. First, look for someone with a strong background in your industry. Second, assess their experience level; they should have a solid track record in financial planning, M&A, and other relevant areas. Third, consider their network and connections, especially if you’re looking to raise capital or make strategic partnerships. Lastly, your Fractional CFO should be someone who can communicate effectively with both your team and external stakeholders. For a full hiring checklist, see How to Hire a Fractional CFO.
The pricing structure for Fractional CFO services can vary. Some may charge an hourly rate, while others may offer a monthly retainer. It’s essential to discuss and agree upon the pricing model upfront to ensure it aligns with your budget and needs.
The quickest path is Alexej Pikovsky’s Fractional CFO Collective:
Discovery Call – Outline objectives and pain points.
NYC Bench Sourcing – Alexej filters for exact industry and culture fit.
Shortlist & Select – You receive a selection of vetted CFOs within 7 days and choose your partner.
Launch & Measure – 90‑day action plan and KPI dashboard go live within the first month.
Hire an Expert—Alexej will pair you with a CFO who can help turn metrics into profit.
