Hiring Guide
Hiring the right finance expert can be the difference between growing with clarity and running blind. This guide walks you through what to look for, what to ask, and what to avoid.
Use these in an intro call or first session to quickly assess fit and expertise.
1.Have you worked with companies at my stage and in my industry?
Why it matters: Finance needs vary dramatically by stage. A CFO who scaled a $100M company may not know how to set up your first chart of accounts or build a seed-stage model.
2.Can you walk me through a financial model you've built from scratch?
Why it matters: Anyone can say they do financial modeling. Asking them to walk through an example reveals their depth, approach, and how clearly they can explain assumptions.
3.How do you approach cash flow forecasting for a business like mine?
Why it matters: This is where most early-stage finance goes wrong. You want someone who builds bottoms-up models from real assumptions, not top-down guesses.
4.What's your experience with fundraising preparation?
Why it matters: If you're planning to raise, you need someone who knows what investors actually look for — not just technically correct numbers, but investor-ready narrative and scenario planning.
5.How do you stay current on changes in accounting standards or tax law?
Why it matters: Finance and tax rules change constantly. You want an advisor who proactively tracks changes, not one who gets surprised by them.
Sessions typically start with a deep dive into your current financial situation — your P&L, cash position, burn rate, and goals. From there, a finance expert will identify gaps, model scenarios, and walk you through a clear action plan. Expect candid, numbers-driven guidance, not generic advice.