We are using a fractional CFO on our leadership team as we build toward an exit, but their part-time status is stalling our weekly Level 10 Meetings and preventing us from resolving critical financial issues in real-time. How do we keep a fractional executive fully integrated and accountable without paying for a full-time seat we cannot yet afford?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

A fractional executive can provide high-level expertise, but they must still fit cleanly into your Accountability Chart and participate fully in your operating system. If their part-time status is stalling your progress, you have an expectations and structure issue. First, ensure the fractional CFO has a clearly defined seat on the Accountability Chart with specific roles and deliverables. They must fully GWC their seat, even if they only work a fraction of the week. Second, their attendance at your weekly Level 10 Meeting is non-negotiable. They must be present, fully engaged, and ready to solve issues during the IDS portion of the meeting. If they cannot attend in person, they must join virtually without distraction. Finally, establish clear protocols for communication between meetings. They must own their Rocks and keep their numbers on the Scorecard updated. If they cannot meet these standards, you may need to look for a different fractional partner or begin the transition to a full-time leader as you scale toward your exit.