Michael King

I help fractional CFOs and accountants build multiple 6 and 7-figure advisory firms through coaching and community.

If you run a construction company, growth was supposed to make money stress go away.

Instead, revenue is up, profit is flat, and it still feels like you are one bad month away from a big problem.

Most contractors we work with are:
• Bidding 20 to 25 percent and banking a fraction of that
• Losing sleep over payroll and upcoming draws
• Unsure which jobs are actually making money
• Looking at financials that feel like a foreign language
• Making big decisions based on gut, not clear numbers

At Civil CFO, we provide Fractional CFO services for $10M to $70M contractors.

Our job is simple to say and hard to do - we bridge the gap between bid and bank so you can consistently hit 10 percent plus net profit, with clear cash flow and confidence in every major decision.

What we do for construction companies:
• Build clear forecasts and cash flow plans so you know what is coming before it hits
• Install practical job cost and WIP reporting so you can see which projects are winning or bleeding
• Help you set realistic, data backed profit targets and hold the team accountable to them
• Prepare bank, bonding, and lender ready financial packages
• Sit at the leadership table as your finance partner for growth, exits, or succession

We are not your bookkeeper or tax accountant.

We work alongside them and give you the forward looking financial strategy they cannot provide.

Why this matters:
• More cash in the bank and less time worrying about it
• Cleaner, more profitable jobs
• Reduced debt and stronger balance sheet
• A company that is ready for whatever you want next - growth, sale, or hand off

I founded Civil CFO so construction CEOs did not have to figure this out alone. Our team has worked with contractors across the country to turn financial confusion into a clear plan and disciplined execution.

If you are a contractor between $10M and $70M and you are tired of bidding 25 percent and banking 3, let's talk.

Founder

I help fractional CFOs and accountants start, scale, and optimize their advisory services.

I used to lose clients for one simple reason.

It wasn't my price. 
It wasn't my skill set. 
It was my onboarding.

I’d sign the deal, get access to the accounting, and just start working. 

And 90-180 days later? 
They’d churn.

I was skipping the most critical part of the relationship: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗽.

If you want to move from $2k/month retainers to $8k/month + engagements (and actually keep them), you can’t just "do the work." 

You have to engineer the trust.

I spent the last 10 years building a 4-phase system to fix this. 
We call it "Bulletproof Onboarding."

Here is the exact framework:

👉 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝟭: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 (𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝟬-𝟳𝟮) Strictly for setting ground rules. We define communication channels, emergency protocols, and exactly what "out of scope" looks like. We kill buyer's remorse before it breathes.

👉 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝟮: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 We don’t just look at the P&L. We look at the org chart, the tax returns, and the pricing models. We are looking for the "mess" so we can prescribe the magic.

👉 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝟯: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 "𝗔𝗵𝗮!" 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 This is the secret weapon. We don't just present data; we deliver an immediate ROI.

𝘌𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦: "I found a gap in your supply chain. Fix this, and you save $130k this year." 

Boom. 
The fee is paid for. 
Trust is cemented.

👉 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝟰: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗳𝗳 We deliver a 12-month roadmap. When a client agrees to a 12-month plan, they are mentally committing to a 12-month relationship.

Most firms do the bare minimum. 
This system does the maximum.

I broke down every single step, script, and document we use in my latest video. 

It’s the exact playbook we use to manage 8-figure clients.

𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:
https://lnkd.in/epCWWn2T

Founder, Civil CFO | Fractional CFO Firm for $10M–$70M Contractors | We bridge the gap between bid and bank so you can hit 10%+ net profit

Fractional CFOs: Stop trying to hire your first fCFO. 
You aren't ready.

Most of you think hiring is the fix for being overworked. 

It's actually the single fastest way to torch cash and lose clients if you screw it up.

I learned this the expensive way. 
Hired a rockstar CFO. 
She quite in two months.

Why? 
Zero processes. 
Everything lived in my head.

Before you even sniff scaling, lock down these 5 things:
1️⃣ Documented Service Delivery 
If it only exists in your head, it doesn't exist. 

Map onboarding, call prep, report generation FIRST.

2️⃣ Cash Float 
You gotta pay 'em while they ramp. 
Have two months payroll ready before day one.

3️⃣ Clear Model (W2 vs 1099) 
Decide upfront. Don't wing it mid-hire.

4️⃣ Lead Backlog 
Hiring with no pipeline? Financial suicide.

5️⃣ 50% Capacity 
Wait 'til you're 100% full and you got no time to train. 
Classic golden handcuff trap.

I know this doesn't sound sexy, but...
Scaling isn't hunting talent. 
It's building the rails so talent can succeed.

👉 I break it all down in this week's YouTube:
https://lnkd.in/gDRYq9PW

Watch it, then tell me - which one's your biggest gap right now?

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮 𝗖𝗙𝗢 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝘆 𝗗𝗠𝘀...
(No, this post isn't quite as scandalous as it sounds.)

This guy has had an epic career. 
Now, he's making the leap to become a Fractional CFO.

He asked me: "𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗜 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝟵𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀?"

I’ve never been asked it quite that way before. After thinking about it, the answer was clear:
1. Have a tight scope of work.
2. Stick to that scope.
3. Don't underprice yourself just because you're new.

If you manage those three things, you avoid the biggest trap in this industry.

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘆𝗺𝗮𝗻.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗼𝗻: 
✅ Has a narrow, powerful skill set. 
✅ Does nothing outside that skill set. 
✅ Charges a premium for high-value expertise.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘆𝗺𝗮𝗻: 
❌ Takes money for just about anything. 
❌ Produces work that isn't truly top-tier. 
❌ Provides "average" value at average prices.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲.

If that's you right now, let 2026 be the year you move from handyman to surgeon.

Tomorrow, I'm sharing exactly how I made that transition (and how you can, too).

Join 4,000+ Fractional CFOs in my newsletter, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟱 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹, so you don't miss it.
👇👇👇

https://lnkd.in/gMT8jyBX

The goober lost the client because he made them feel stupid.

Yesterday I dropped a YouTube video about where Fractional CFOs can go to find clients.

I got a bunch of DMs about it, but I want to highlight one specific story that proves 𝘸𝘩𝘺 simplicity wins.

I once landed a client at a Starbucks inside a hotel lobby the morning after I spoke at a conference.

Why did they hire me on the spot?

Because their previous Fractional CFO, an industry guru with decades of experience, made them feel "stupid" (their words, not mine). 

"He always used fancy finance words and showed us these spreadsheets that made my head hurt. When my wife asked him questions he talked to her like she was 5 years old. We don't have a fancy college education like him but we sure as heck know how to work hard. I don't need some goober talking to my wife like she's an idiot."

Goober lol 

I met them immediately after I gave a keynote on 5 simple ways to improve cash flow. 

No fancy finance words.
Nothing that was there to make me look smart.
Just actionable help on the one thing that stressed them out.

As a Fractional CFO, everyone already knows you're pretty smart. 

Your clients won't give you bonus points for flexing on that.
 
What they will give you bonus points for is making them feel understood and capable.

This is about your clients.
Not your ego. 

👉 Don't be the goober. 

(Link to the video with the 10 best places to find Fractional CFO leads is in the comments in case you missed it yesterday).

Stop winging your monthly fCFO calls.
Your clients deserve better than a 60-minute rambling session.

Here is the exact 4-step agenda I use to run perfect CFO calls (every single time):

✅ 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 + 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮 (𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘀) 
👉 Start with the human element. 

How are they? 
How is the family? 
Be a human being before talking business.
Then set a clear agenda for the call. This is key.

✅ 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 (𝟭𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘀)
👉 The "Rearview Mirror." 

Briefly review last month's performance. 
Keep this tight. 
Don't get stuck in the weeds.
Trends and non-obvious insights are best.

✅ 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 & 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 (𝟰𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘀) 
👉 The "Windshield." 

This is why they pay you. 
Where is the cash going? 
What's the plan to hit their goals?
What strategic decisions need to be made? 
Spend 80% of your energy here.

✅ 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 + 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 (𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘀) 
👉 Recap exactly who is doing what by when. 
Never end a call without clear next steps + owners.


📌 P.S. What’s the one thing you always cover in your client calls that I forgot?

The $1,000,000 question for most Fractional CFOs in 2026: 

Where can you go to find good leads? 

Let's rule out:
❌ Cold calling 
❌ Cold emails 
❌ Knocking on doors
❌ Sending out mailers

I have studied thousands of Fractional CFO firms (yes, thousands) and compiled a list of the top 26 places you can go to find great leads. 

Are you an introvert? 
✅ I have strategies on the list for you.

Are you an extrovert? 
✅ I have strategies on the list for you.

Are you in a big city? 
✅ I have strategies on the list for you.

Are you in a small town? 
✅ I have strategies on the list for you.

Are you looking for your FIRST client? 
✅ I have strategies on the list for you.

Are you looking for your 31st client? 
✅ I have strategies on the list for you.

If you can't find ONE lead strategy on this list that works for you then you just don't want to win in 2026 😎

I just dropped a YouTube video that walks through my Top 10 places to find fractional CFO leads. If you want the list of all 26, there's a link in the description of the video (it's free). 

Link to the video is in the comments below! 👇👇👇

The fCFO industry celebrates sales too much.
And doesn't celebrate retention enough.

It doesn’t matter how good you are at sales if you're churning clients.

And the first 90 days of a new client relationship is the most critical when it comes to predicting churn.

As goes onboarding, so goes the relationship.

I see too many Fractional CFOs obsessing over their pipeline while their current client bucket has a massive hole in the bottom.

𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲. 
𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵.

If you want to stop the 90-day churn cycle, you have to nail the first 4 weeks. 
You have to manufacture trust and deliver real value immediately.

I just dropped a video breaking down our entire "Bulletproof Onboarding" system.

𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀: I included a link in the video description to download our actual 𝗢𝗻𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗣𝗗𝗙 for free. 

If you want to increase customer lifetime and customer value in 2026, then this was made for you.

📌 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗯 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: 
https://lnkd.in/epCWWn2T

Unleashing Full Potential of Your SaaS Company | Fractional FP&A and BI Data Science Consultant | Tech-Savvy Finance Leader | Data Ninja | Reporting Analytics FP&A | SaaS, FMCG & Logistics | Finance - Power BI - Tableau

If you're an ambitious founder, you probably:

→ Want to improve financial models

→ Struggle with optimizing your finance tech stack

→ Lack the time to enhance your financial strategies

→ Want to implement new financial software but don’t know how

→ Aim to prepare for successful fundraising rounds but need guidance

→ Seek to optimize your financial reporting but don’t know where to start

You might relate to all 7 of these points.

Or, You might just be struggling with 1.

Why does that matter?

Well, having a robust financial strategy is essential for growth.

And there's still a massive opportunity to maximize your revenue through specialized financial practices.

Don't believe me?

Here are 5 things that my employers have said my expertise helped them do:

1. To create awareness for potential investors and partners

2. To attract investment by optimizing their financial structures

3. To communicate their growth potential better to stakeholders

4. To streamline operations by implementing various financial software

5. To stand out from competitors through financial insights and strategy

Implementing these strategies can boost your revenue, growth, and financial performance.
But you don't have time for that…

You're too busy doing other stuff like,

I don't know, scaling your company.

So what happens now?
I'll take over your financial strategy for you.

I have helped dozens of companies in:

― Preparing them for fundraising rounds,
― Optimizing their finance tech stacks,
― Enhancing their financial models,
― And more.

And no, I don't mean providing:

→ Generic financial advice
→ One-size-fits-all strategies
→ Pointless number crunching

I mean ACTUAL tailored financial solutions.

Created by a real fractional CFO.

Who leverages industry insights, proven frameworks, and your company's unique needs to drive real growth.

So, which path you'll want to go:

A - Sit and do nothing, leaving your financial strategies to chance.

Or

B - Sit and do nothing while I optimize your financial strategy, prepare you for fundraising, and help you skyrocket your revenue.

I know you're shouting B inside you.

Let's map out strategies to streamline your financial operations and identify new avenues for growth and investment.

📌 Drop me a DM "Growth" or
📌 Click the link in my Featured Section

Aleksandar Stojanović, MSc.

How I’d create a cash flow forecast in under 20 minutes:  

(🆓 Free cash flow template included)  

♻️ Repost this to get the full walkthrough video too  

1. Understand your cash flow basics.  

• Start with your current cash balance.
• Include all expenses (e.g., rent, payroll).
• List all income sources (e.g., sales, loans).
• Factor in one-off payments like taxes or equipment purchases.

Your forecast should give you a clear view of how cash moves in and out of your business.  

2. Use a simple structure for forecasting.  

• List all income and expenses for the month.
• Identify key cash flow drivers like payment terms or seasonality.
• Add balance sheet items like loan repayments or owner’s draws.
• Project cash flow for the next 3-12 months using realistic assumptions.

This step ensures you’re not missing critical cash movements, keeping your forecast accurate and actionable.  

3. Build the forecast using my free template.  

Start with your beginning cash balance.
• Adjust projections as new data comes in.
• Use built-in formulas to ensure totals and trends are clear.
• Input income and expenses as absolute values (no negatives).

You can also add “what-if” scenarios:  
• Can you afford to hire a new employee next quarter?
• What happens if revenue drops by 20%?

4. Make informed business decisions.  

With a cash flow forecast, you can:  
• Adjust spending to stay within your means.
• Plan for investments with confidence.
• Spot potential cash shortages early.

Example: “If my forecast shows negative cash flow in September, I can reduce expenses in July to avoid issues.”  

Go implement this now and take control of your cash flow!

PS: Reviewing cash flow forecasts for the next hour - drop yours below for feedback!

PPS… Grab your free template at: https://lnkd.in/d7xWergy

Alex Stojanovic, MSc.

Helping tech founders make smarter financial decisions (and scale like Usercentrics to €100M ARR) | Fractional CFO & FP&A Advisor

I just mapped out how to master your cash flow in 2026

(Save this so you can use it later)

If you want to:

Avoid cash shortfalls.
Run a healthy, scalable business.
Make confident spending decisions.

Follow this cash flow strategy step-by-step.

Your commitments:
1. Weekly cash flow check-ins
2. Real-time invoice and AR tracking
3. Forecasting and budgeting reviews monthly
   
The system:
• Optimize surplus...don’t sit on idle cash
• Use dashboards to watch cash trends
• Forecast incoming + outgoing cash
• Plan for gaps before they hurt you
• Monitor OPEX and identify leaks
• Set up a clean invoicing system
• Identify all your income sources
• Budget spending across teams
• Track receivables consistently

The growth compounder:
1. Layer in automation early
   ↳ Invoice faster = get paid faster
   ↳ Alerts = catch gaps before they grow
   ↳ Dashboards = visibility at all times
   
2. Use visuals to communicate cash reality
   ↳ Founders understand faster
   ↳ Teams align easier
   ↳ You make faster decisions
   
3. Review → Forecast → Adapt
   ↳ Every month. Without fail.
   
For me, this cycle changed everything. I now help 50+ founders use this to scale profitably.

➠ Bonus hack: Use your cash surplus strategically.

Reinvest in growth when the time is right. But never without forecasting.

This system isn’t complicated.

Follow it for 365 days...and your finances won’t just survive, they’ll scale.

Repost this ♻️ so every founder sees it.

PS. Want me to help build your cash flow system? Drop me a DM.

Most board packs are broken.

Stop sending decks with 50+ slides. Instead, run this test:

Track your board prep process across five steps
And your whole finance workflow will evolve.

Start with what to fix:

Step 1: Data Collection
Gather P&L, balance sheet, cash flow
Make sure numbers are fresh

Step 2: Reconciliation
Check accuracy, align systems
Avoid surprises

Step 3: Variance Summary
Explain gaps, call out drivers
Tie to forecast

Step 4: Risks & Opportunities
Highlight trends, staffing, burn
Bring real insight

Step 5: Packaging
Use dashboards, not PDFs
Lead with clarity

What I learned after 200+ board preps:

→ Guesswork = low confidence
→ Templates = medium confidence
→ Finance Pack Process = high confidence

Now, rate your current board prep:

↳ Data Freshness: 0–5
↳ Variance Clarity: 0–5
↳ Visuals + Story: 0–5

Your Score:
13–15: Strategic Pro (Investors love you)
10–12: On Track (Tighten story)
6–9: Mid Pack (Clean things up)
0–5: Chaos Zone (Fix it now)

Most teams try to impress investors.

Great teams inform them.

Own your boardroom by mastering this process.

📌 Want the PDF version?

1. Follow Alex Stojanovic, MSc.
2. Like the post
3. Repost
4. Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/dUFeGQE9

If you’re €5–50M ARR and you can’t explain ARR movement in 60 seconds…

You’re not in control.

Save this ARR bridge 👇

Starting ARR
• New ARR
• Expansion ARR
 – Contraction ARR
 – Churn ARR
 = Ending ARR

Now the part most teams miss:

1) New ARR isn’t pipeline

Pipeline is hope.
Bookings is reality.

Do this instead:
 ↳ Track slippage weekly
 ↳ Separate “commit” from “upside”
 ↳ Model cycle length changes

2) Expansion ARR isn’t “upsell”

Expansion is a system:
pricing,
adoption,
packaging,
CS capacity.

Do this instead:
 ↳ Track expansion by segment
 ↳ Tie expansion to product adoption
 ↳ Separate price uplift from true usage uplift

3) Churn ARR isn’t a single number

“Churn” hides everything.

Do this instead:
 ↳ Split logo churn vs churn ARR
 ↳ Split contraction vs churn
 ↳ Track churn reasons as leading indicators

4) The bridge is a weekly operating tool

Not a month-end report.

Because at this stage:
small leaks become big problems quietly.

Master the bridge and you’ll stop having “surprise” quarter endings.

PS. If you want the ARR bridge template I use (with definitions + checks), comment "ARR" and I’ll share it.

taplio

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