You’ve got a finance team. Or maybe just an accountant. Things seem to be ticking along… but something still feels off. You’re not getting the clarity you need. You want to grow – but you’re not sure what’s holding you back.
Here’s the truth: you might not need a full-time CFO. But you probably need more than compliance.
This blog will help you understand the difference between an accountant and a CFO, when to bring in each one, and how fractional CFO support (like mine) can give you strategic insight without the full-time cost.
Accountant vs CFO: The Key Differences
Let’s break it down:
An accountant helps you look backward. They record what’s already happened, file your required accounts and returns, calculate your tax, and keep you compliant. They’re essential, but they generally work with historical data.
A CFO, on the other hand, helps you look forward. They use the numbers to guide business decisions, strategy, and growth. They give commercial and strategic insight, not just financial compliance.
In other words, It’s not CFO vs. Accountant. It’s CFO AND Accountant. You need both. But they serve very different purposes.
Do I really need both?
If you’re just starting out, your accountant might be enough. But if you’re making products, carrying stock, managing a team, or hitting consistent revenue – it might be time for more strategic support.
Pauline says:
"So many people think they’ve got what they need in their accountant - but they’re still wondering where all the cash is going."
Because your accountant isn’t analysing your profit margins or telling you your pricing is off. They’re not helping you plan your cash cycle or mentoring your in-house team. Your accountant is brilliant at what they do, and they are essential! But a CFO is commercially focused and is there to help you plan ahead and make more money.
Signs You’re Ready for a Fractional CFO
Not sure whether you’re ready? Here are some tell-tale signs:
- You’re making sales, but you’re not sure where the profit is.
- You’re holding stock, but don’t have a clear reordering or cashflow strategy.
- You’ve got a bookkeeper or accountant, but they don’t challenge your thinking.
- Your pricing hasn’t changed in years.
- You want to scale but aren’t sure what to invest in first.
If you’re starting to realise you don’t know what you don’t know – it’s time.
So, What Do Logical BI Do?
Our founder Pauline, is a fractional CFO. That means she offers strategic, commercial finance support to product based businesses – without the full-time cost of an in-house CFO.
She bridges the gap between your accountant and your ambitions.
Pauline says:
“My clients often have a bookkeeper or accountant already. I don’t replace them - I enhance what they do. I don’t do tax returns. I don’t do compliance. I do clarity, forecasting, profit planning, and pricing strategy.”
She’s also:
- A hands-on supply chain and manufacturing finance expert.
- An experienced mentor to in-house finance teams.
- Big on cash, pricing, and margin strategy.
- Known for being straight-talking, collaborative, and always kind.
Need Help Figuring It Out?
If you’re unsure what you need, it’s okay. Most of Pauline’s clients felt the same.
“They just knew something wasn’t working. They were hitting £1m turnover but struggling to pay themselves.”
If that’s you? You don’t need to muddle through.
Logical BI’s Business Booster Consultancy Call is a great place to start. Or if you feel you’d like to chat to Pauline or one of the team about your current situation, we can recommend the best plan for you, whether that’s a one off consultancy, 3-month review and forecasting project or ongoing retainers (Manufacturing CFO Support)
