Most trades business owners know they need to “get better with the numbers”—but that’s where it ends. The idea of hiring a CFO feels corporate, expensive, and like overkill. But a part-time CFO is a different story. It’s strategic support, right-sized for your business and priced for your growth stage.
In this post, we’re pulling back the curtain on what a part-time CFO actually does week to week—especially for construction, remodeling, HVAC, and specialty trades businesses. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to have someone keeping your finances in line, this will show you.
Monday: Job Costing Reality Check
First thing Monday, your CFO is digging into last week’s job performance. They’re comparing actual costs vs estimates across active jobs.
- Which jobs are bleeding margin?
- Were labor hours underquoted?
- Are materials costing more than planned?
Then they work with your office manager (or bookkeeper) to clean up any miscategorized expenses. Finally, they flag issues for your review so you’re not blindsided at the end of the month.
Tuesday: Cash Flow Forecasting & Vendor Management
Tuesday is all about cash flow clarity. Your CFO builds or updates a forward-looking cash flow forecast: income expected, bills due, payroll coming.
- Will we have enough cash on hand to make Friday’s payroll?
- Can we take on that new job next week without hurting liquidity?
They also help manage vendor relationships—renegotiating payment terms if needed, or coordinating with your PMs to avoid double orders and overbuying materials.
Wednesday: Job Pipeline and Profit Forecasting
Your CFO now zooms out. What does your job pipeline mean for the next 30, 60, 90 days?
- Are we booking enough profitable work?
- Will the current mix of jobs hit our profit goals?
They’ll highlight the types of jobs that actually drive profitability—not just revenue. This is where most owners find out their favorite jobs to land are their least profitable.
Thursday: Owner Pay Strategy & Financial Planning
This is the day most owners look forward to: owner pay.
Your CFO works with you to set up a smart owner pay structure. This means not just “whatever’s left over,” but consistent, predictable income that works with your taxes, entity type, and lifestyle.
They also advise on debt strategy, equipment purchases, or reinvestment decisions—all with your long-term wealth in mind.
Friday: Metrics Review and Next Steps
To close the week, your CFO sends a simple financial snapshot:
- Weekly wins & red flags
- Key metrics (gross margin, net profit, WIP report)
- Action items for the team
It’s short. It’s actionable. And it sets the tone for next week.
CFOs Bring Focus, Not Just Finance
You’re not paying for spreadsheets—you’re paying for peace of mind, clarity, and confidence. A good part-time CFO helps you stop flying blind so you can run your business like a true owner.
Want to see what a part-time CFO could look like in your business?