Rise of the Fractional CFO – Your Next Career Move? (& When and Why to Hire One)

In this episode of The Growth-Minded CFO, we're joined by Anne Samak de la Cerda, Partner at FLG Partners, for a deep dive into the rise of fractional CFOs. With two seasoned fractional CFOs on the mic (our co-host Lauren Pearl included) we explore how the role has evolved, when it makes sense to hire one, and what early vs late-stage companies actually need from finance leadership. You'll learn: Why not every company needs a full-time CFO How fractional CFOs deliver fast, strategic impact The difference between early vs late-stage finance needs When to bring in a fractional vs full-time hire Why demand for fractional CFOs is growing globally How fractional CFOs are adapting to AI, tech, and leaner budgets 01:03 Meet Anne and Lauren 01:54 Anne's Journey to Becoming a Fractional CFO 05:42 Lauren's Path to Fractional CFO 09:00 Early Stage vs. Late Stage CFO Roles 15:29 Navigating Crises and Transformations 24:11 Transitioning Out of Business: When and How 24:47 Challenges of Ending Client Relationships 25:20 Evaluating Team Readiness and Setting Expectations 27:39 Lauren's Perspective on Client Transitions 30:34 Balancing Multiple Clients and Diversifying Revenue 37:34 The Importance of Networking for Fractional CFOs 40:04 The Evolving Role of Fractional CFOs 44:49Global Perspectives and Future Trends Whether you're a founder, finance leader, or considering going fractional yourself—this episode is packed with insights from the trenches. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with today's most strategic finance leaders. Connect with Anne on LinkedIn:   / samakdelacerda   Connect with Alex on LinkedIn:   / alexlouisy   Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn:   / laurenepearl   Find the audio version of this episode on: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/7FP0... Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... The Growth-Minded CFO podcast aims to challenge the status-quo and explore how the best CFOs approach their work and lives. Hosts Lauren Pearl (Fractional CFO, 3-time Founder and Startup Finance Instructor at NYU) and Alex Louisy (FinTech CEO and Y Combinator graduate) speak with inspiring finance and business leaders who'll share what great CFOs are doing to support high-performing organizations. For the full episode summary and key takeaways, visit: https://growthmindedcfo.com/podcast/a... 📬 Got a question or want to get in touch? Reach us at [email protected]