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How an engagement runs, from first call to monthly review

A fixed-fee diagnostic first, then a monthly rhythm with a fixed reporting date and a named CFO. Retainers, never hourly billing.

The process

Every engagement follows the same sequence. What changes between clients is the depth of each stage.

  1. Before any engagement

    Intro call

    A conversation about your business, your numbers and what is not working. We tell you plainly whether a fractional CFO is the right fit, and if it is not, we say so.

  2. Finance Diagnostic

    Diagnose

    A fixed-fee review of your books, cash cycle, margins and compliance position. You receive a written findings report and a prioritised list of what to fix first, before any retainer commitment. Typical duration: [__ weeks] .

  3. Setup, first [__] weeks

    Design

    We build your finance operating system: the MIS format, reporting calendar, controls and cash-forecasting routine, set up around how your business and your Tally data actually work.

  4. Every month

    Run

    We take ownership of the monthly rhythm: close review, MIS, cash flow and compliance oversight, delivered on a fixed date so you always work from current numbers.

  5. Every month

    Advise

    You sit down with your CFO to look forward: what the numbers mean, what is coming, and the decisions in front of you on pricing, hiring, capex and funding.

Engagement model

Start with the Diagnostic, then choose the level of involvement that fits your team and your stage.

CFO CRAFT engagement tiers
Engagement Fee What it covers
Finance Diagnostic ₹40,000 fixed fee + GST One-time review of books, cash, margins and compliance, with a written findings report. Required before Fractional CFO Starter; recommended before other retainers.
Fractional CFO Starter From ₹25,000 per month + GST Your team collates the data in the format defined during the Diagnostic. We turn it into a monthly MIS and review it with you in a 30-minute monthly CFO call.
Fractional CFO Core Scoped retainer We own the monthly finance rhythm: close review, MIS, cash flow forecasting and compliance oversight, with a monthly review meeting.
Fractional CFO Growth Scoped retainer Core, plus budgeting, bank and lender engagement, and board-level reporting for businesses preparing to expand or raise funds.
Specialist projects Scoped fixed fee Defined pieces of work such as CMA data for a bank limit, ERP selection, costing models or due diligence support.

Fees for Core, Growth and specialist projects are quoted after the Diagnostic, once the scope is clear. Compare services in detail

A typical month on retainer

Dates are fixed at the start of the engagement and held to, month after month.

  1. [Working day __] Books closed by your team; bank and GST reconciliations shared
  2. [Working day __] Close review and queries raised with your point person
  3. [Working day __] MIS pack and 13-week cash forecast delivered
  4. [Working day __] Monthly CFO review with the promoter; actions recorded
  5. Throughout Compliance calendar tracked; issues flagged as they arise

What we need from you

  • Read access to your books

    A Tally data backup or remote access, plus bank statements, shared through a secure channel we set up with you.

  • One point person on your team

    Someone in accounts who can answer queries and share documents within an agreed turnaround.

  • An hour a month from the promoter

    The monthly review is where the value is. We schedule it in advance and keep it to the agenda.

  • Honest answers

    If something is off-book, overdue or disputed, we need to know. We cannot advise on numbers we have not seen.

Common questions

Do you replace our accountant or CA firm?

No. Your accounts team keeps booking entries and your CA firm keeps statutory audit and return filing. We sit above both, turning the numbers into decisions and making sure deadlines and reconciliations are under control.

Do you bill by the hour?

No. Retainers are a fixed monthly fee for an agreed scope. If the scope changes materially, we agree a revised fee with you in writing before the work starts.

How long is the commitment?

Retainers run month to month after an initial term of [__ months] , with [__ days] written notice to end the engagement.

Do you work with businesses outside Mumbai?

Yes. Monthly reviews can run by video call. We visit in person where the engagement calls for it.

What accounting software do you work with?

Most of our clients run Tally Prime, and our reporting setup is built around it. Other systems are assessed during the Finance Diagnostic.

The first step is a conversation, not a contract.

Tell us where your finance function is today. We will tell you what the Diagnostic would look at.

Book an Intro Call