ConsultingPerformance indicators every manager should monitor
8 minFeb 20, 2026
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Buildness Advisory Team
Management Consultants
One of the most transformative decisions an SME can make is hiring a CFO — even part-time. Most companies with fewer than 50 employees don't have the volume to justify a full-time Financial Director, but have all the complexity to need one.
What an external CFO actually does
An external CFO is not an accountant. They are a strategic partner who typically works 2 to 4 days per month at the company.
- Cash flow management and planning
- Financing structure (banks, investors, EU grants)
- Strategic pricing and margin analysis
- Audit and due diligence preparation
- Reporting to shareholders and board
When is the right time to hire
Signs include: revenue above €500k, growth above 20% per year, bank financing negotiations, or difficulty understanding profitability per business line.
70% of SMEs that hire an external CFO identify cost-saving opportunities in the first 3 months.
External CFO vs. internal CFO
An internal CFO costs €60,000 to €100,000 per year. An external CFO with the same capability costs €1,500 to €4,000 per month.
The Buildness Advisory model
Buildness Advisory provides external CFOs with 15+ years of experience in Iberian SMEs.
First month of financial consulting with no commitment.
Professional financial management is not a privilege of large companies. The external CFO model democratizes access to top financial capabilities for SMEs.
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