How It Works

How We Work With Contractors

A short call, a free review of your books, a cleanup if you need one, then reports you can count on every month.

From First Call to Monthly Reporting

1. Book a Call

Tell us about your company, your software and what isn’t working.

2. Free Cash Flow Review

We look at your books, WIP and cash position and tell you what we’d fix first.

3. Cleanup and Setup

We clean up what needs fixing and set up job costing and monthly reporting.

4. Monthly Reporting

Every month you get clear reports on job profitability, WIP and cash.

We can usually start within a couple of weeks, after the review. Book a free consultation to get started.

Step by Step

What Happens at Each Step

1. Book a call. We meet by phone, video or in person to learn about your company, your software and what isn’t working.

2. Free review of your books. We review your financial records, WIP and cash position and talk with your key staff. Then we send a proposal with what we found, what we’d fix first and a plan in phases. If you decide not to hire us, you keep the review at no cost.

3. Cleanup and setup. If your books need it, we clean them up first. We set up job costing and monthly reporting, and build the reports and models that matter most to you. A small cleanup we often absorb. For a bigger one we start with a retainer, and anything left over goes toward your monthly work; for years of catch-up we quote one project price. During this phase we meet weekly or every other week, so you always know what's done and what's left. We'll need your bank and loan statements, schedules, and a list of vehicles and equipment to build accurate records.

How long setup takes. Getting into your accounting system and building the monthly reports usually takes a few days, or about a day for a small company. Getting every job’s profit margin and cost to complete right takes longer, from a few weeks to a couple of months. One company we joined had more than $100 million in backlog, no monthly financial statements and no WIP schedule. Within days we were in their system building the reports. In the end they had full monthly financial statements with a WIP schedule that ties to them. They also had an overhead analysis and a full-year forecast to use for planning, taxes and their bank and surety.

4. Ongoing work. Once your records are stable, we work daily, weekly or monthly, whatever fits your company. Every month you get clear reports on job profitability, WIP and cash. You pay a flat monthly fee, not an hourly rate, and calls, emails and meetings are included.

What Ongoing Work Looks Like

Every Week

Bills and deposits recorded on time, regular payment cycles, weekly cash reports, and a review of your staff’s reconciliations.

Every Month

Books closed and reconciled, financial statements, WIP and job profit compared to budget, and results compared to your plan.

CFO Level

Budgets and forecasts, bank and lender requests, tax planning with your outside accountant, and help with major decisions.

See every service on our services page, or see all our construction services.

Your Team

Who Works on Your Account

Our team is made up of CPAs and senior financial professionals led by Alan G. Lefkowitz, CPA, a former construction company CFO. We are not a staffing agency. We work as an extension of your team.

After the review, we agree with you on how many people, how many days, and whether the work is remote, in your office or both. Most work is done remotely. In New Jersey and New York we can be in your office part of the week, or full time when the job needs it.

Working With Us

In Your Software

QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, Sage 100 Contractor, Sage 300 CRE, Foundation, Sage Intacct, Viewpoint Vista and Plexxis.

No Long-Term Contract

We work at will. Either side can end it with 30 days’ notice, so there’s time for a smooth handoff.

Start Within Weeks

We can usually start within a couple of weeks, after the review.

Client Review

What Clients Say

“CFO Strategies has been critical in streamlining our accounting and helping our construction company succeed overall. Marlene, who is in our office fulltime, has been a big factor in this!”

Kevin Ketcho, Google review

Meet Alan

Led by a Former Construction CFO

Alan G. Lefkowitz, CPA, founded CFO Strategies in 2009 and has 46 years of business experience. For over 10 years he was CFO of mid-sized construction and real estate companies, overseeing the financial performance of major New York projects, including the Yankee Stadium and the Goldman Sachs office tower. Today he and his team bring that experience to contractors who need CFO-level help without a full-time hire.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers about getting started.

Is the review really free?

Yes. We review your books, WIP and cash position at no cost. If you decide not to work with us, you keep what we found.

How soon can you start?

We can usually start within a couple of weeks, after the review.

Do I have to sign a long-term contract?

No. We work at will and ask for 30 days’ notice so we can hand things off smoothly.

Do you work remotely or in our office?

Most work is done remotely. In New Jersey and New York we can be in your office part of the week, or full time when the job needs it.

Which accounting software do you work in?

QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, Sage 100 Contractor, Sage 300 CRE, Foundation, Sage Intacct, Viewpoint Vista and Plexxis. See what we do in each one.

Do you prepare income tax returns?

No. We don’t prepare income tax returns or run audits. We work alongside your tax accountant.

Guides

Getting Started Guides

Short reads from our team for owners deciding what help they need.

Signs Your Construction Company Has Outgrown Its Bookkeeper

CFO vs Controller vs Bookkeeper: What’s the Difference?

How to Hire a CFO: When You Need One and Which Kind

Start With a Free Review

Book a free consultation. We’ll look at your numbers and tell you what we’d fix first, with no obligation.