CFO Services

Guiding your business to new heights!

We help businesses grow and profit!

Scale Smarter Without the High Cost of a Full-Time CFO

We help businesses like yours grow strategically while getting the financial expertise of a senior CFO without the full-time price tag.

The Vision Behind Ascension CFO

We started Ascension CFO after seeing how many growing businesses struggle to make confident financial decisions without the right guidance. Companies earning under $50 million in revenue often need strong financial leadership but can’t justify the $250,000 or more a year for a full-time CFO.

That’s where we come in. We work as your financial partner, helping you make data-driven decisions about hiring, pricing, fundraising, and growth. With the right strategy, growth becomes focused instead of frantic, cash flow becomes stable, and your numbers begin showing where you’re headed, not just where you’ve been.

How We Approach Your Business

Numbers should guide your next move, not just tell you what already happened.

Many firms stop at sending you reports. We go further by helping you understand what your numbers mean and how to act on them. It’s not just about reports; it’s about financial clarity and direction.

We’ve seen businesses celebrate revenue growth without realizing their profits were slipping. By digging deeper into costs, pricing, and customer acquisition, we uncover the story behind the numbers and help you create a stronger one.

Here’s what defines how we think:

Your CFO should be a strategic ally, not a quarterly visitor.
Smart financial decisions matter more than perfect ones.
The best advice fits your business, your goals, and your market.
If our recommendation isn’t clear to you, we haven’t done our job.
We focus on clarity and long-term results, not buzzwords.

Our goal is simple: to help you see the full picture, act confidently, and build a stronger business.

Who We Work With

We partner with ambitious businesses that are ready to take their next step.

Our focus is on companies earning between $1 million and $30 million annually that need expert financial leadership to scale effectively.

We work with:

Startups preparing for their next funding round.
Growing companies where the founder is still managing the books.
Established businesses ready to expand, explore M&A, or plan for an exit.
Organizations that have outgrown basic bookkeeping and need solid financial systems.

If you need more than accounting or tax prep, you’re in the right place. We specialize in cash flow modeling, fundraising, forecasting, and helping you turn financial data into decisions that drive your business forward.

If you’re spending more time worrying about cash flow than planning your strategy, let’s talk.

What We Bring to the Table

Our team brings more than 50 years of combined CFO experience working with companies that have raised capital, scaled operations, handled downturns, and achieved successful exits.

Here’s what we offer:

Financial Planning and Analysis

We build financial models that reflect your business reality, not a generic template.

Cash Flow Management

We help you create steady cash flow and plan your financial runway with confidence.

Fundraising Strategy

We know what investors look for and how to position your company for success.

Profitability Optimization

We find the areas that truly improve your margins, often in places you wouldn’t expect.

Financial Systems and Infrastructure

We create reports and systems that grow with your business.

Strategic Advisory

We act as your financial voice in major decisions about pricing, hiring, expansion, and resources.

What a CFO is?

Not all businesses can afford to hire a CFO, but they need one, and we have an affordable solution for that!

A Strategist

The CFO is a strategic partner, shaping financial decisions to drive business growth and long-term success. They leverage data-driven insights to guide the organization’s financial direction.

A Forward-Looking Advisor

A CFO is a strategic partner who anticipates future challenges, identifies opportunities, and guides the organization towards sustainable growth and profitability.

A Data Driven Decision Maker

A CFO leverages data analytics to make informed, strategic decisions that drive business growth and profitability.

A Business Growth Planner

A CFO is a key partner for business growth through financial planning and decision making. With expertise in finance, economics, and business, they align financial objectives with broader business strategy to overcome challenges and achieve success.

We work with you each month on a structured and proven process to help you meet your goals.

Sadly, most businesses fail. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics:

Why? They lacked money! Money solves every problem in the business, BUT this brings up more questions:

What is the best source for money? Is debt ok? Should I loan money to the business?

My business is profitable, but I don’t know why there is no cash flow. Are those the same thing?

The 16 parts of your Business

Fix even one part and see an improvement.
Fix all 16 and transform your business!

Meet Our Experts

We treat our clients with the utmost care and concern. You’ll soon discover that we look out for your business’ best interests as thoroughly as we do for our own business. Our clients count, so we make sure they never feel like a number.

Annette Sonnenburg

Annette Sonnenburg has been offering business consulting and fractional CFO services to clients for more than 20 years. With a background in accounting and finance, she knows how to get your business on the right track.

Mindy Petersen

Mindy Petersen has worked with reputable financial institutions as an account reconciliations specialist and has worked for years with Annette in bookkeeping and accounting cleanup.

Carolyn Bastian

Carolyn Bastian brings thoughtful organization and a high level of care to her role as Executive Administrative Assistant. She is dedicated to supporting both the team and clients with efficiency, warmth, and attention to detail.

Client Testimonials

Our Partners

FAQs

How much do CFO services cost?

We have full advisory plans at a monthly rate that depend on the need of your business and hourly consulting services billed at $250 per hour.

What is a fractional CFO, virtual CFO, or outsourced CFO?

Think CFO for hire. All businesses need the guidance of a CFO, and outsourcing this function with a fractional CFO service is a very affordable solution!

Is my small business big enough to hire a CFO service?

Every business needs a CFO, and fractional CFOs are a great solution for smaller businesses. The best thing to do is just schedule a call with us and we can let you know whether you can benefit more from the monthly CFO service or just provide guidance on an hourly basis as needed.

When Should You Use a CFO Service?

This can depend on what stage or phase your business is currently in and what is needed. Some examples are below.

Startups: To establish financial systems, secure funding, or manage burn rate.
Growing Businesses: To handle increased complexity, such as expanding operations or entering new markets.
Companies Facing Challenges: To address cash flow issues, debt, or declining profits.
Businesses Preparing for Sale: To optimize financials and maximize valuation.

Why use a CFO service?

Using a CFO (Chief Financial Officer) service can provide significant benefits for businesses, especially small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or startups that may not have the resources for a full-time, in-house CFO. Here are the key reasons to consider a CFO service:

Cost-Effective Expertise: Hiring a full-time CFO can be expensive, with salaries often exceeding $200,000 annually plus benefits. CFO services, such as fractional or outsourced CFOs, offer access to high-level financial expertise at a fraction of the cost, tailored to your business needs or your industry.
Strategic Financial Planning: CFO services provide strategic guidance on budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management. They help you plan for growth, optimize profitability, and make informed decisions by analyzing financial data and market trends and then working with the business owner and management on a corrective action plan.
Improved Financial Management: A CFO service can streamline accounting processes, ensure accurate financial reporting, and maintain compliance with tax laws and regulations.
Access to Specialized Skills: CFOs bring expertise in areas like fundraising, mergers and acquisitions, financial modeling, and risk management. For example, they can assist with securing loans, attracting investors, or navigating complex transactions, which is invaluable for scaling businesses.
Scalability and Flexibility: Fractional CFO services allow you to scale financial leadership based on your business’s stage and needs. Whether you need help for a few hours a week or during a specific project (e.g., preparing for a sale), they adapt to your requirements without long-term commitments.
Time Savings for Owners: Business owners often juggle multiple roles, including financial oversight. A CFO service frees up your time by handling complex financial tasks, allowing you to focus on core operations, sales, or product development.
Objective Perspective: An external CFO provides an unbiased, data-driven perspective on your business’s financial health. They can identify inefficiencies, recommend cost-saving measures, and challenge assumptions that internal teams might overlook.
Enhanced Decision-Making: CFOs translate financial data into actionable insights, helping you understand key performance indicators (KPIs), profitability drivers, and market opportunities. This ensures decisions align with your long-term goals.
Crisis Management and Turnaround: In times of financial distress, a CFO service can develop recovery plans, negotiate with creditors, or restructure finances to stabilize your business.
Preparation for Growth or Exit: If you’re planning to scale, raise capital, or sell your business, a CFO service can prepare financial statements, improve valuation, and ensure due diligence processes are robust, making your business more attractive to investors or buyers.

What are the competitive advantages of CFO services?

Business owners receiving guidance can optimize pricing, area coverage, strategic advice on unique offerings to set a business apart, and much more.

When do you need a CFO service?

For all businesses it’s a little different, but there are signs that you’re in a danger zone and need help. These are just a few situations that can benefit from a CFO:

Uncertain financial future
Less than 25% net profit
Inaccurate reporting of finances from bookkeeping staff
Desire to grow or expand location(s)
Need to find cost savings and cut overhead expenses
Payroll is too high, but staff are needed
You want a financial safety net for your business, should the economy or demand change
There is no cash, even though you are profitable

What can I expect from my outsourced CFO?

With Ascension CFO, we have a very structured system that we follow to ensure that we perform our analysis and meet with business owners and management at least monthly. Since business owners have questions throughout the month, you can simply email us or schedule a meeting anytime that works for you to go over additional questions, changes, etc. We are your CFO on call during business hours!

801-833-0991