FRACTIONAL ACCOUNTANT


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What Is a Fractional Accountant?

A fractional accountant is a highly skilled accounting professional who provides part-time or project-based accounting services to growing businesses. Instead of hiring a full-time, in-house accountant, companies can bring in a fractional accountant to handle core accounting tasks such as bookkeeping, reconciliations, financial reporting, and tax prep on a flexible schedule and budget.

This approach is ideal for startups, small businesses, and organizations that need reliable accounting help but don’t yet have the volume or resources to support a full-time hire. Fractional accountants bring professional expertise, system familiarity, and a disciplined approach to financial accuracy—without the overhead.

Whether your books need cleaning up, your business is growing quickly, or your internal team needs support, a fractional accountant can ensure your financials are up-to-date, compliant, and decision-ready.


We provide Accountant services from our base in Sioux City, and beyond!


Iowa
Hawarden
Orange City
Rock Valley
Rock Rapids
Sac City
Sheldon
Sioux Center
Sioux City
Sibley
Spirit Lake

Nebraska
Wayne
South Sioux City

South Dakota
Dakota Dunes
Elk Point
Sioux Falls
Vermillion
Yankton

What Does a Fractional Accountant Do?


Day-to-Day Bookkeeping and Transaction Management

Record daily financial transactions across bank, credit card, and payroll accounts

Manage accounts payable and accounts receivable

Categorize and reconcile all business activity within accounting software

Bank and Credit Card Reconciliations

Match statements to your general ledger

Identify discrepancies and prevent errors

Ensure clean and timely month-end closings

Payroll Support

Assist with payroll processing and related journal entries

Coordinate with payroll platforms like Gusto, ADP, or Paychex

Ensure proper recording of wages, taxes, and benefits

Financial Statement Preparation

Produce accurate profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports

Provide monthly or quarterly financial reports for internal use or tax prep

Format financials to align with GAAP or CPA-ready standards

Sales Tax & Regulatory Compliance

Help calculate and file sales tax returns

Ensure books are ready for year-end tax filing

Collaborate with CPAs and tax advisors during busy season

Software & System Support

Set up or clean up QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks, or other accounting platforms

Implement accounting procedures to maintain consistency

Train internal staff on basic accounting workflows


Fractional Accountant vs. Full-Time Accountant


Feature

Full-Time Accountant

Fractional Accountant

Engagement

40+ hours per week

5–20 hours per week

Cost

Salary + benefits

Hourly or monthly flat fee

Hiring Process

Full-time recruitment

Quick onboarding through provider

Flexibility

Fixed capacity

Easily scaled up or down

Ideal for

Large or complex operations

Startups, small businesses


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Key Benefits of Hiring a Fractional Accountant

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When Should You Hire a Fractional Accountant?

You might not need a full-time accountant yet—but that doesn’t mean you should be managing the books yourself. You should consider bringing on a fractional accountant if:

  • Your books are behind, inaccurate, or inconsistent
  • You’re spending too much time trying to balance your financials
  • You want monthly financial reports to guide business decisions
  • You’re preparing for year-end tax filings or financial reviews
  • You’re using accounting software but aren’t sure you’re using it correctly
  • You’re scaling and need better financial organization
  1. Cost-Effective Expertise
    Gain reliable accounting help without the cost of a full-time hire. Fractional models let you pay only for what you need—whether that’s weekly support or a few hours during month-end close.
  2. Improved Accuracy & Efficiency
    Experienced accountants can streamline bookkeeping, fix previous errors, and ensure your financial records are accurate and organized.
  3. Better Financial Visibility
    With timely reconciliations and monthly reports, you gain the insights needed to manage cash flow, control expenses, and plan for growth.
  4. Audit & Tax Readiness
    Clean books mean smoother audits and less back-and-forth during tax season. Fractional accountants can work directly with your CPA or tax preparer.
  5. Scalable Support
    Need more help during busy months? No problem. Fractional arrangements can scale up or down to meet your business’s changing needs.
  6. Reduced Risk of Fraud & Errors
    With professional oversight, you lower the chance of duplicate entries, improper classifications, or missed tax deadlines.
  7. Tech Integration
    Many fractional accountants are familiar with accounting software and can help you adopt or optimize platforms like QuickBooks Online, Xero, or NetSuite.


How CFO Next Supports Clients With Fractional Accounting Services

At CFO Next, we match you with experienced fractional accountants who know how to work efficiently within your systems and industry. Here’s how our process works:

Accounting Assessment
We start by reviewing your current books, tools, and financial workflows to identify what’s working—and what’s not. Whether it’s a cleanup or system migration, we’ll build a plan.

Tailored Engagement Plan
Need 10 hours a month? 5 hours a week? Just year-end support? We customize a service schedule based on your needs and budget.

Ongoing Bookkeeping & Reporting
We’ll manage your books, track your cash flow, and deliver accurate monthly financials you can rely on.

CPA Collaboration & Tax Support
We work directly with your CPA to prep for tax filings, audits, or financial reviews—saving you time and reducing stress.

System Optimization & Training
If your accounting software needs a tune-up, we’ll clean it up or train your staff on better processes and integrations



Real Results from CFO Next Clients

E-commerce Brand: Cleaned up 18 months of transactions and integrated Shopify into QuickBooks for real-time P&Ls

Service-Based Business: Streamlined monthly reconciliations and reduced bookkeeping costs by 40%

Freelancer & Contractor: Received easy-to-read monthly financial statements to help prepare for quarterly estimated taxes



Start Smarter Accounting with CFO Next


A fractional accountant from CFO Next can help bring your financials up to speed, improve organization, and free you up to focus on running your business. We make it easy to get professional, trustworthy accounting help—only when and how you need it.

Let’s make your numbers make sense.
Contact us today to schedule a free assessment and discover how a fractional accountant can simplify your finances and strengthen your operations.



Elevate Your Financial Leadership with CFO Next


At CFO Next, we specialize in delivering fractional CFO services that propel organizations toward their strategic objectives. Our roster of veteran CFOs brings deep operational know-how, financial rigor, and a results-driven mindset to every engagement. Whether you’re laying the groundwork for rapid scale, optimizing current performance, or preparing for a critical liquidity event, we offer the expertise—and the flexibility—you need to succeed.

Ready to harness the power of strategic financial leadership?
Contact CFO Next today to schedule a complimentary financial health assessment and discover how a fractional CFO can accelerate your journey to sustainable growth.

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