What We Do:

  • Clean-up books, close process, reconciliations, and internal controls.

  • Annual budget, rolling forecasts, cash-flow models, and management reporting.

  • 13-week cash forecasting, AR/AP review, and banking/loan support.

  • Selection and implementation of accounting, billing, and related systems; integration between operations and the general ledger.

  • Regular finance check-ins with ownership, profitability analysis, pricing and margin support, and scenario modeling.

  • Month-end close oversight, team coaching, financial clean-up, and audit readiness.

Walter Ashley works with small and mid-sized businesses across healthcare, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, service-based companies, and software/subscription models.

We combine modern accounting, systems, and strategic finance to give you:

  • Clean, trustworthy financials

  • Stronger processes and internal controls

  • Budgets, forecasts, and cash-flow visibility

  • Practical, CFO-level guidance for your next phase of growth

How It Works:

  • A 30–45 minute conversation to understand your business, your goals, and where your finance function is struggling.

    We’ll cover:

    • How your accounting is currently structured

    • Your biggest pain points (close, cash, reporting, systems)

    • What you’re aiming for over the next 12–24 months

    Outcome:
    Clarity on whether fractional CFO support is a good fit and what type of engagement makes sense.

  • A fixed-fee assessment (typically 4–6 weeks) where we:

    • Interview key stakeholders

    • Review financial statements, processes, and systems

    • Identify gaps, risks, and bottlenecks

    • Map how information flows from operations into your GL and reports

    Outcome:
    A written findings report and a prioritized roadmap for the next 90 days and next 12 months.

  • We agree on the highest-impact initiatives and convert them into a practical 90-day plan.

    • Clear priorities and milestones

    • Defined responsibilities (what your team owns vs. what we own)

    • Realistic timelines and expectations

    Outcome:
    Everyone knows what’s changing, who’s doing it, and when it will be done.

  • Depending on your needs and chosen retainer tier, ongoing support may include:

    • Monthly or bi-weekly leadership finance meetings

    • Active involvement in month-end close review

    • Continuous forecast and KPI updates

    • Support for negotiations, pricing decisions, and key investments

    • Regular communication with banks and important external partners

    Outcome:
    A steady, reliable finance partner who keeps your numbers clean and your decisions informed.

  • As your business evolves, we can help you navigate specific transitions:

    • System implementations and upgrades

    • Clean-up and catch-up work

    • M&A, financing, or other transactions

    • Expansion into new entities, services, or geographies

    Outcome:
    Flexible support that adapts to your next phase of growth.

Walter Ashley uses a simple, transparent framework so you always know where we are in the process and what comes next.

How Much it Costs:

    • 8–10 hours per month

    • Monthly financial review

    • Light budget/forecast updates

    • Email support + 1 call/month

    • Typical: $2,000–$2,500/mo

    • 16–20 hours per month

    • Foundation + close oversight

    • Cash-flow forecasting & KPIs

    • Participation in leadership meetings

    • Typical: $4,000–$5,000/mo

    • 32–40 hours per month

    • Deep involvement in finance and operations

    • Support for banks/investors and major projects

    • Typical: $7,500–$10,000+/mo

Most clients engage Walter Ashley on a fixed-fee assessment followed by a monthly fractional CFO/Controller retainer or project-based scope. Typical retainers start around 8–10 hours per month and scale up based on complexity and growth.