When it makes sense to bring in a CFO
If you’re running one location and your books are clean, you may not need a CFO yet. It tends to make sense once you’re modeling a second or third location, preparing for a lender conversation, or making hiring and pricing decisions across more than one unit where a bookkeeper’s reporting stops being enough on its own.
Katie Spies
Founder and CEO, Maev
Modeling whether you can afford your next location
Before you sign for a second location, a Pilot CFO builds the unit economics: what the new location will cost to open, how long it takes to turn cash-flow positive, and what it does to your combined runway across both units. You get a model built on your actual numbers, not a franchisor’s average.
Financials and projections for an SBA franchise loan
SBA LENDERS
SBA lenders reviewing a franchise expansion loan typically want historical financial statements
A revenue and cash flow forecast for the new location, and a clear picture of how the loan fits your existing debt and cash position.
your pilot cfo
Builds these from your books rather than a generic template
So the numbers hold up to underwriting.
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Pilot CFO engagements scale with what you need, from a first forecast to hands-on lender support.
Foundation
A franchisee modeling a first expansion or building a forecast for the first time
Operating model and annual budget, revenue forecast, cash flow visibility and runway, industry-specific KPI dashboard, monthly CFO review
Strategic Support
Multi-unit operators making recurring decisions on pricing, hiring, and which location to open next
Everything in Foundation, plus investor and board prep, headcount and comp planning, bi-weekly working sessions
Embedded Partner
Franchisees mid-expansion or preparing an SBA loan package on a deadline
Everything in Strategic, plus weekly meetings, live fundraise/lender support, custom projects. Starts at $1,750/mo
Frequently asked questions
Start with the tier that matches your immediate need: Foundation for a first forecast, Strategic Support for recurring multi-unit decisions, or Embedded Partner if you’re actively preparing an SBA loan package. Pilot CFOs typically start with your bookkeeping already in place.
Not always. Some franchisees model their next location themselves or with their franchisor’s guidance. A CFO becomes worth it when you want an independent model built on your actual numbers, especially for a lender conversation.
A CFO works best when Bookkeeping, Operations, and Tax are handled
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Bookkeeping
Accurate, on-time books your CFO works from. Software handles the volume, and our team finalizes every close. The foundation every Pilot CFO engagement starts with.
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Outsourced Operations
Payroll, AP/AR, vendor management, and expense operations. For founders who need finance and operations support from the same partner, on one bill.
Tax
R&D credits, federal and state filings, and the tax work that can fall through the cracks at a fast-moving company. Works with your CFO during year-end planning.
Amortization schedules, royalty deductions, and multi-state filings, done right from your first year. Opening a new location or heading into tax season are both good moments to get this set up before it becomes a scramble.