Aldo Aprile -Why Restaurants REALLY Fail
In this episode, James Kennedy sits down with Aldo Aprile, CPA and founder of Aprile CPA, to explore why every fractional CFO needs a close partnership with a tax expert – and why savvy business owners should plan taxes year-round, not just at filing time. Drawing on Aldo’s upbringing in a Peruvian family restaurant, his stints at GE, AmEx, PF Chang’s and more, they dig into restaurant prime-cost math, setting performance incentives, and the critical tax-planning moves that can save entrepreneurs tens of thousands each year.
Christophe Gantzer – Swiss Expert: Your Supply Chain Will Fail
In this episode, James Kennedy sits down with Christophe Gantzer, fractional CFO and co-founder of Clear Edge, to unpack the seismic shift in ESG and sustainability reporting across Europe – and what it means for Swiss and EU businesses alike. Drawing on his 20+ years in finance and his unique perspective as a French expat in Switzerland, Christophe explains the new CSRD/ESRS framework, how non-financial KPIs are now a finance function imperative, and why risk management must expand to cover environmental and social “debts.” Along the way, he shares real-world examples – from chocolate price shocks to cyber-risk parallels – that illustrate why CFOs can no longer sit on the sidelines of sustainability.
Scott Clements – The Outsourcing Secret NOBODY is Talking About!
James Kennedy welcomes Scott Clements, co-founder of Park Financial LLC and seasoned fractional CFO, to explore how he’s built a coast-to-coast advisory practice using online tools, joint ventures and strategic partnerships. Drawing on his unique journey – from EY auditor to high-school math teacher and back into finance – Scott reveals how he leverages technology and referral networks to serve clients nationwide. He also shares the systems he uses to manage feast-or-famine cash flows, balance in-house versus outsourced talent, and position his firm for steady, sustainable growth.
Mike Jerman – Why PE Firms NEED Fractional CFOs
In this episode James Kennedy sits down with Mike Jerman, founder of Hollywell Partners, to dive deep into the world of financial due diligence, quality of earnings, and the real work behind private equity deals. Mike shares his unique journey from Air Force captain to PwC director and ultimately founder of a high-performing fractional CFO firm that he later sold to a PE-backed group.
They explore why private equity firms rely on fractional CFOs, the hidden risks revealed in due diligence, and what really separates accounting from financial storytelling when preparing a business for sale. Mike also opens up about how his firm discovered fraud during a routine quality of earnings check – and what business owners can learn from that.
Stick around to the end to hear Mike’s heartfelt tribute to his business mentor, and why mentorship is one of the most underrated drivers of success.
Adam Sher – Why Your Tax Accountant Is Killing Growth
In this week’s episode, host James Kennedy is joined by Adam Sher, a seasoned CFO who has worked with some of the most exciting growth-stage companies in the startup ecosystem.
Adam shares what it’s like to parachute into high-growth environments as a fractional CFO, where finance meets chaos, and strategy meets reality. With a background that spans e-commerce, SaaS, and AI, Adam brings a refreshingly honest take on how CFOs can balance operational excellence with founder vision – especially when the numbers tell a different story.
From managing investor expectations to rebuilding financial infrastructure after layoffs, Adam’s war stories offer valuable insights for CFOs, founders, and operators alike.
Tiffany Vogel – The 3-Year Plan to Build and SELL a CFO Empire!
This week James sits down with Tiffany Vogel, founder of Insight CFO Services, to explore what it means to build a scalable, values-driven fractional CFO firm from the ground up. Tiffany shares her unconventional decision to take on debt and build a team from day one – defying the typical solo CFO path.
They dive into her background in healthcare analytics, her real estate investing success, and how those experiences shaped her approach to financial leadership. Tiffany also talks candidly about setting boundaries, managing burnout, and keeping her mission at the center of everything she builds.
Stick around to the end to hear how she’s planning retreats for founder transformation – and why every CFO should be thinking about their exit, too.
Kyle Smith – The Balance Sheet Red Flag That Could Bankrupt You
This week James sits down with Kyle Smith, founder of Strata Advisory and seasoned fractional CFO, to explore what it takes to help fast-growing service businesses thrive. With a background in management consulting and a knack for navigating complex financial waters, Kyle breaks down the strategies he uses to guide his clients toward clarity, confidence, and profitable decision-making.
They discuss building financial infrastructure from scratch, the difference between being busy and being successful, and why most business owners need to stop trying to do it all.
Stick around to the end to hear Kyle’s take on how fractional CFOs can make themselves indispensable to the CEOs they serve.
Jason Andrews – One Cold Email Changed His Career Forever
This week James sits down with Jason Andrews from FloQast to unpack the unexpected journey from accounting to marketing – and the lessons learned scaling a finance function through hypergrowth. Jason opens up about his time at Twilio, where he helped guide the company from $650M to over $4B in revenue, led a massive ERP migration, and managed a global team across five time zones. He also shares why he made the surprising leap into marketing at FloQast and how his accounting DNA continues to drive his impact.
Whether you’re navigating messy month-end closes, leading through explosive growth, or considering a career pivot, this episode is full of wisdom on process, people, and perspective.
Garon Goodspeed – QuickBooks to NetSuite: The REAL Nightmare
This week James sits down with Garon Goodspeed, co-founder of Treaty Oak Financial Services, to explore three essential areas every finance leader should understand. First up: what it’s like to prepare for an IPO – and then walk away just before the bell rings. Next, Garon shares battle-tested advice on designing sales compensation plans that motivate teams without blowing the budget. Finally, Garon reflects on launching his own fractional CFO practice and reveals what fueled its rapid growth in just a few months.
Whether you’re scaling toward a liquidity event, managing a fast-moving sales team, or thinking about starting your own CFO consultancy, this episode is packed with lessons from the trenches.