In this episode of Portus Wealth Advisors' Charting Opportunities, Greg Brown of Cardinal Finance shares his extensive experience on the role and value of a Fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for growing businesses. He delves into when it makes sense for a company to engage a Fractional CFO, what business owners should expect from such a relationship, and how to identify the right fit for their specific needs.

Greg Brown explains common red flags indicating a business might need a CFO, such as being consistently profitable but cash-poor, facing indecision due to a lack of financial data, or business owners losing sleep over financial uncertainties. He outlines his approach to initial client interactions, often starting with a specific project to understand the business and build rapport, rather than relying on checklists. Brown also discusses typical referral patterns from CPAs and banks, often triggered by growth challenges or the need for more sophisticated financial oversight to make key business decisions.

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the pros and cons of hiring a Fractional CFO versus a full-time CFO. Brown highlights advantages of fractional support, including cost-effectiveness, access to higher-level expertise than a company might otherwise afford, and a broader perspective gained from working with multiple clients. He also addresses trade-offs, such as potential limitations on priority setting, bandwidth for very large projects, and the understanding that a fractional role may be a stepping stone to an eventual full-time hire as the business scales. Key attributes for a successful Fractional CFO were emphasized, including an accounting-oriented background, being intentionally in the fractional market (not just between full-time jobs), and having experience relevant to the client's current stage and future aspirations, such as growth or an exit strategy.

Greg provided practical insights into engagement structures, typically month-to-month, allowing flexibility for both parties. He shared examples of successful outcomes, like guiding a company from inception to a $60 million sale and helping businesses navigate financial distress or better understand their core business model and profitability drivers. Conversely, he also discussed scenarios where engagements don't work, often due to misaligned expectations, an unwillingness from the business to change, or foundational issues a CFO alone cannot fix. He stressed the importance of the business owner's commitment and clear communication, advising business owners to seek a Fractional CFO who not only has the technical skills but also makes them feel more at ease and brings a sense of calm to their financial oversight.

A HUGE THANK YOU to Greg Brown! HIs detailed explanation and real-world examples offer invaluable guidance for business owners considering how to strategically enhance their financial leadership and decision-making.

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Greg Brown - The Role of a Fractional CFO | Charting Opportunities

ORIGINAL MEDIA SOURCE(S):

Originally Recorded April 9, 2025
Charting Opportunities: Season 1, Episode 7
Images courtesy of: Greg Brown and Cardinal Finance

In this episode of Portus Wealth Advisors' Charting Opportunities, Brandon Davis, President of the Carolinas for the National Christian Foundation (NCF), offered insights into strategic charitable giving for business owners. He explained how NCF, a 501(c)(3) grant-making foundation, assists donors, advisors, and charities in developing efficient and effective giving strategies, often involving Donor Advised Funds (DAFs).

Davis detailed the mechanics of Donor Advised Funds, likening them to "charitable checking accounts" where donors make irrevocable gifts (cash, appreciated securities, complex assets), receive immediate tax deductions, and then advise on grants to charities over time. He strongly advocated for donating appreciated assets (like stocks or mutual funds) instead of cash, highlighting the significant tax advantages: receiving a deduction for the full fair market value while avoiding capital gains tax on the appreciation, ensuring more funds reach the charity.

A key focus was the strategy of gifting interests in privately-held businesses prior to a sale, an area of NCF expertise with over $6 billion in such gifts facilitated. Davis explained how NCF handles these complex transactions, becoming a temporary owner of the gifted portion (often non-voting shares). Using a C-corporation case study ($16M value, 10% gift), he demonstrated how this pre-sale gifting strategy typically results in significantly more funds reaching the intended charities (e.g., $1.6M vs $1.27M) and substantial tax savings (avoiding capital gains on the gifted portion) compared to selling the business first and then donating cash. He noted the importance of qualified appraisals (which may include valuation discounts for minority interests), due diligence on operating agreements, and timing the gift before a legally binding sale agreement exists.

Davis also clarified that Donor Advised Funds currently have no mandatory annual payout requirements, offering flexibility. He addressed potential concerns from business buyers regarding a charity co-owning shares pre-sale, stating that clear, early communication typically alleviates issues, and NCF often participates in these discussions. Ultimately, he emphasized letting the donor's passion for specific causes drive the charitable planning process, making the steps involved more meaningful and maximizing impact.

A HUGE THANK YOU to Brandon Davis and the National Christian Foundation! Brandon's detailed explanation provides invaluable guidance for business owners looking to maximize their charitable impact through strategic and tax-efficient giving.

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Brandon Davis - Strategic Charitable Giving With NCF | Charting Opportunities

ORIGINAL MEDIA SOURCE(S):

Originally Recorded March 12, 2025

Charting Opportunities: Season 1, Episode 6 (estimated)

Images courtesy of: Brandon Davis and National Christian Foundation

In this episode of Portus Wealth Advisors' Charting Opportunities, Erin Patterson JD, CPA of Erin Patterson Law shares her knowledge on estate planning for business owners, emphasizing a multi-layered approach. She stresses the foundational elements like wills, powers of attorney, and revocable trusts to avoid probate and ensure a smooth transition of assets. Patterson highlights the importance of regularly updating these documents, especially for business owners, due to the dynamic nature of businesses and tax laws.

She then delves into advanced planning, including properly funding revocable trusts and establishing buy-sell agreements to govern the transfer of business ownership in various scenarios like death, disability, or retirement. Patterson urges business owners to communicate their succession plans to key stakeholders, including family and employees, to ensure clarity and minimize potential conflicts.

Finally, she discusses legacy planning, focusing on optimizing business structure for tax efficiency and long-term value. This included strategies like creating holding companies and utilizing irrevocable trusts for tax minimization and wealth transfer. Patterson emphasizes the importance of early planning, especially before any business sale, to maximize benefits and avoid complications. She also touches upon the role of appraisals, gifting strategies, and the importance of involving financial advisors and CPAs in the estate planning process.

A HUGE THANK YOU to Erin Patterson and Erin Patterson Law LLC! Erin's expertise and concise presentation provide invaluable guidance for business owners seeking to protect their assets and plan for the future.

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Erin Patterson - Estate Planning With Erin Patterson JD, CPA | Charting Opportunities - Highlights
Erin Paterson on Portus Advisors Charting Opportunities: Highlight reel
ORIGINAL MEDIA SOURCE(S):

Originally Recorded on February 12, 2025
Charting Opportunities: Season 1, Episode 5
Images courtesy of: Erin Patterson Law, PLC and Portus Wealth Advisors