CFO Advisory Services for the Lower Middle Market

We provide services to the CFO across finance operations, technical accounting, staff augmentation, and post-acquisition integration. Each engagement is scoped to your specific situation—whether you're navigating Day One of a new investment or preparing for exit.

A

Finance Function Stabilization

Assess. Stabilize. Optimize.

On acquisition date, most lower middle-market companies have never been sponsor-backed. Finance is typically staffed lean, processes are undocumented, and systems are poorly integrated. The result: delayed closes, unreliable reporting, and an inability to support decision-making.

We assess and stabilize finance operations across people, process, and technology—ensuring your portfolio company can close the books accurately, report on time, and support the business from Day One.

What We Cover

Order-to-Cash (O2C)

Revenue recognition, billing, collections, cash application

Procure-to-Pay (P2P)

Purchasing, vendor management, AP processing, expense management

Record-to-Report (R2R)

Month-end close, reconciliations, consolidation, financial reporting

FP&A

Budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, KPI development

The "Red Flag" Search

Every FFS engagement includes a targeted review to identify critical deficiencies—process gaps, control weaknesses, key-person dependencies, and system limitations—that could compromise the investment thesis if left unaddressed.

Timeline Focus

Day One: Stabilize core operations, establish reporting cadence
Day 100: Optimize processes, implement quick wins, build foundation for scale
People Process Technology Day One Readiness
B

Accounting Advisory

Demystify. Document. Operationalize.

Both private and public companies are required to adopt a formal basis of accounting. But compliance with GAAP doesn't drive business results or value creation—and poorly documented positions create risk at exit.

We help companies articulate defensible accounting positions, document them in a straightforward manner, and operationalize them within systems of record so that Finance and the business can move forward with confidence.

Technical Accounting Expertise

Business Combinations (ASC 805)

Opening balance sheet, purchase price allocation support, acquisition-date fair value, technical memos for auditor review

Revenue Recognition (ASC 606)

Contract analysis, performance obligation identification, SSP determination, variable consideration, system configuration

Leases (ASC 842)

Lease inventory, classification, measurement, disclosure, ongoing accounting

Stock-Based Compensation (ASC 718)

Grant date fair value, expense recognition, modification accounting

Variable Interest Entities & Consolidation

Primary beneficiary analysis, consolidation mechanics

Debt vs. Equity Classification

Instrument analysis, embedded features, bifurcation

Derivatives & Hedging

Hedge documentation, effectiveness testing, designation

Fresh-Start Reporting

Emergence accounting for restructured entities

GAAP Conversions

Cash-to-accrual, IFRS-to-GAAP, statutory-to-GAAP

Our Difference

We don't just write memos. We ensure conclusions are reflected in your chart of accounts, configured in your ERP, and understood by your team. Positions are audit-ready and operationally sustainable.

Technical Accounting Purchase Accounting Revenue Recognition GAAP
C

Integration Management Office

Preserve Value. Capture Synergies.

The first 100 days after close determine whether an acquisition creates or destroys value. Integration requires cross-functional coordination, clear accountability, and deep expertise in the functions that matter most—particularly Finance.

We run the Integration Management Office for platform acquisitions, bolt-ons, carve-outs, and true mergers. Kadmus provides the structure and oversight to ensure the investment thesis is protected while synergies are captured.

IMO Capabilities

Day 1 Readiness

Critical path activities, legal entity setup, bank accounts, payroll continuity, IT access, communications

100-Day Planning

Detailed workstream plans, milestone tracking, executive reporting, issue escalation

Target Operating Model

Future-state design for people, process, and technology across all functions

Synergy Tracking

Identification, validation, and reporting of cost and revenue synergies

Cross-Functional Oversight

Coordination across Finance, HR, IT, Sales Ops, Legal, and Operations

Integration Models We Support

Absorption — Target fully integrated into acquirer's operating model

Symbiosis — Best practices adopted across both organizations

Preservation — Target operates semi-autonomously with financial integration

Holding — Minimal integration, emphasis on quick-win synergies

Finance Integration Specifics

Opening balance sheet and purchase accounting, closing statements and net working capital, month-end close documentation, management reporting package development, 13-week cash forecast, ERP assessment, chart of accounts alignment, bank account setup and legacy delink.

Post-Acquisition M&A Day 1 Readiness 100-Day Plan
D

Surge Finance

Flexible. Senior. Immediate.

Sometimes you need experienced finance leadership fast—an interim CFO during a transition, a controller to manage a complex close, or specialized capacity for a discrete project. Recruiting takes months. You need help now.

Surge Finance provides flexible, senior-level support to fill gaps and maintain momentum. We deploy experienced professionals who can step into your environment and contribute immediately.

Engagement Types

Interim CFO

Executive leadership during transition, transaction, or vacancy

Interim Controller

Month-end close management, audit preparation, process stabilization

Project-Based Support

Discrete initiatives with defined scope and timeline

Staff Augmentation

Additional capacity during peak periods or special projects

When to Engage Surge Finance

CFO departure with no succession plan

Controller struggling with first institutional close

Audit preparation overwhelming internal team

M&A activity requiring dedicated finance resources

System implementation needing finance SME involvement

Maternity/paternity leave coverage for key personnel

What You Get

Senior professionals with Big Four and industry backgrounds. No learning curve on sponsor expectations. Immediate contribution. Clean handoff when the engagement ends.

Interim CFO Fractional Staff Augmentation Flexible Capacity

Not sure which service fits your situation?

Every portfolio company is different. Let's discuss your specific challenges.

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