Drapalski Consulting · Senior finance support
Financial leadership that fits the business—not a full-time headcount.
Fractional CFO, external CFO and freelance finance-management support for businesses that need better financial visibility, more informed decisions and stronger controls without building a permanent CFO office.
When finance becomes more complex
You may not need another bookkeeper. You may need a finance leader.
Bookkeeping and tax compliance tell you what has been recorded and filed. Financial leadership connects those numbers to operating priorities, risk, investment and forward-looking decisions.
- You have accountants, but no consistent management reporting or forecasting process.
- Revenue is growing faster than cash visibility, cost controls or the finance team.
- Budgeting, unit economics, margin analysis or operational KPIs need structure.
- The founder, CEO or general manager is still coordinating every financial decision.
- Investors, lenders or a parent company expect clearer financial information.
- Financing, diligence, a new subsidiary or a transaction creates temporary demand.
The objective is not another management layer. It is better information, clearer accountability and practical follow-through.
What I can support
From reporting and controlling to management decisions.
The scope is tailored to the business. Some engagements focus on a monthly CFO sounding board; others involve building a repeatable reporting and planning process or managing a defined finance workstream.
Financial visibility & planning
- Management reporting and monthly finance packs
- Cash-flow, liquidity and runway planning
- Budgets, forecasts and scenario analysis
- KPIs, profitability and margin analysis
- Management and board-level decision support
Controlling & finance operations
- Cost-center and cost-driver transparency
- Manufacturing, product and standard-cost analysis
- Working-capital and cost-improvement initiatives
- Finance-process design and close improvement
- Practical ERP, reporting and automation workstreams
Governance, risk & transaction readiness
- Financial controls and approval frameworks
- Reporting governance and accountability
- Financial models and investor materials
- Data-room, diligence and financing preparation
- Coordination with legal, tax and transaction advisers
U.S. & European finance coordination
- Reporting between U.S. parents and European entities
- Cross-border financial information and controls
- Finance and compliance calendars
- U.S. accounting or tax-related issue identification
- Coordination with appropriately qualified advisers
Senior judgment without unnecessary overhead
Sometimes the value is simply having a CFO-level adviser in the room.
That might mean reviewing the numbers before a major decision, helping management prepare for an investor meeting, challenging a forecast, or establishing a clearer operating rhythm for the finance function.
Drapalski Consulting draws on senior corporate-finance, controlling, governance and international-business experience. The approach is hands-on, analytical and commercially grounded—working alongside the people who already know your business.
My background includes finance leadership in complex organizations, U.S. CPA credentials, and extensive experience with risk, controls and cross-border operations.
A second opinion when you need one. More structured involvement when the business calls for it.
Flexible ways to engage
Choose the level of CFO support you actually need.
Support can be advisory, recurring or project-based. Scope, deliverables, access and fees are agreed in writing before work starts.
CFO Access
Senior finance sounding board
From 2 hours per month
For leaders who want a reliable senior finance contact and focused feedback without an extensive monthly mandate.
- Scheduled management discussions
- Review of financial questions and decisions
- Reporting or forecast feedback
- Finance, governance or cross-border coordination
Indicative starting arrangement: two reserved hours monthly and a three-month initial period, subject to the engagement terms.
Active Fractional CFO
Ongoing financial leadership
Typically up to ~10 hours per month
For businesses ready to strengthen financial reporting, forecasting, controls and management support on a recurring basis.
- Monthly management reporting
- Cash-flow and budget planning
- Performance and margin analysis
- Process, reporting and control improvements
- Investor, lender or board preparation
Priorities and monthly cadence defined together; additional project work scoped separately.
Interim / Project Support
Focused finance workstreams
Defined scope & availability
For a specific project, finance-function transition, financing process, growth initiative or time-limited need for external finance expertise.
- Budgets, forecasts and financial models
- Reporting or controlling setup
- Transaction and diligence preparation
- Finance-process remediation
- Short-term external finance-management support
Availability and hours are confirmed individually. This is not an offer of unrestricted full-time coverage.
Finance leadership—not duplicate bookkeeping.
We normally work alongside your existing bookkeeper, accountant, CPA and tax adviser rather than replace them. Routine bookkeeping, payroll, statutory accounts and tax-return preparation are not normally part of a fractional CFO engagement. We coordinate with your providers as needed so the financial information supports management decisions.
A specific engagement letter for U.S. tax work.
All U.S. tax compliance services require a separate written engagement letter tailored to the client’s facts and circumstances. Before work begins, the parties agree the scope, relevant entities or individuals, tax years and jurisdictions, responsibilities, deliverables and fees. U.S. tax filings are never automatically included in CFO advisory support.
Simple process. Clear responsibilities.
How we work together.
Discuss the need
An introductory conversation about your business, finance organization, priorities and timing.
Agree scope & terms
We define the deliverables, contacts, cadence, information access, confidentiality and fees.
Execute & review
Regular touchpoints, practical outputs and an agreed process to adjust priorities when needed.
Independent external support: CFO advisory services are governed by a written engagement agreement. An external or fractional CFO designation describes advisory support unless a formal appointment is expressly agreed, and management retains decision-making authority. U.S. tax compliance services are outside the default CFO scope and require their own fact-specific written engagement letter.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers before we begin.
Is a fractional CFO different from an external or freelance CFO?
The terms often describe similar independent finance-leadership arrangements. “Fractional” emphasizes limited recurring hours, while “external” or “freelance” emphasizes the independent nature of the engagement. The actual scope is defined in the agreement.
Will you replace our bookkeeper, accountant or tax adviser?
Normally not. We collaborate with your existing bookkeeper, accountant, CPA and tax adviser and focus on management reporting, planning, controls and financial decisions. Routine bookkeeping, payroll, statutory reporting and tax filings are not normally included in CFO support.
Can we start with only a few hours per month?
Yes. CFO Access is designed for an initial low-hour recurring arrangement. A larger recurring or separately scoped project engagement may make sense if the workload increases.
Can you work with U.S.-owned businesses operating in Europe?
Yes. Cross-border finance coordination is a particular focus, including reporting expectations, finance processes and identifying issues that need attention from U.S. or local professional advisers.
Does CFO support include U.S. tax compliance?
No. U.S. federal or state tax compliance services are separately contracted. Every such assignment requires its own written engagement letter reflecting the client’s particular facts and circumstances, agreed tax years and jurisdictions, filing scope, responsibilities, deliverables and fees.
Start with a conversation
Make your financial information more useful for decisions.
If you need reliable management reporting, a more structured finance function, or a senior finance partner for a specific decision or project, describe what you are working through. We can determine whether a fractional, external or project-based engagement makes sense.