Episode #52. CFO-as-a-Service is a Window on the Future of Business Organization with Kristian Marquez

➡ 📈 Get Your Free CFO Consultation with Kristian:https://finstratmgmt.com/cfo/

In this episode of the Value Creators Podcast, host Hunter Hastings engages with Kristian Marquez, founder and CEO of FinStrat Management, to explore the multifaceted nature of entrepreneurship. Kristian shares his journey, from the founding team of a successful medical data company that went public to navigating startup challenges with a venture-funded business to pioneering the delivery of CFO-as-a-service. The episode concludes with insights on leveraging external expertise as a service and a free CFO consultation offer.

Resources:

➡ 📈 Get Your Free CFO Consultation with Kristian: https://finstratmgmt.com/cfo/

➡ Learn What They Didn’t Teach You In Business School: The Value Creators Online Business Course

Connect with Hunter Hastings on LinkedIn:

Connect with Kristian Marquez on LinkedIn:

The Value Creators on Substack

Knowledge Capsule

The Versatility of Entrepreneurship Across Scales

Entrepreneurship is essential to value creation at all levels, from small-scale startups to large enterprises.
In fact, entrepreneurship drives all economic development and innovation.
Entrepreneurship creates jobs, raises the bar in competition, and is essential to societal advancement.
Emphasis on the adaptability of entrepreneurial principles, irrespective of the size of the business.

Founding a Business: Key Lessons and Challenges

Kristian shares insights into the early stages of establishing a business and the hurdles encountered.
He explains how to cultivate the essential entrepreneurial mindset that embraces change, learns from failures, and stays forward-looking.
The importance of adaptability in navigating market dynamics and unforeseen challenges.

How to Transition from One Business to Another

Leveraging personal networks and face-to-face connections during transitional periods.
Identifying market needs through feedback and seizing opportunities presented organically.
Kristian’s transition from telemedicine to founding FinStrat Management after recognizing a niche for SaaS companies needing accrual accounting expertise.

Demand for Accrual Accounting in SaaS

There’s a market opportunity in the challenges in preparing consistent financial statements for SaaS companies.
The significance of accrual accounting for calculating SaaS performance metrics and aiding fundraising efforts.
FinStrat’s growth journey includes validating the business model and scaling after initial hesitation.

Targeting a Niche Market

Understanding customer needs deeply is a differentiation advantage.
The role of historical experience in building tailored solutions for SaaS companies.

AI’s Role in Accounting and Finance

Opportunities and skepticism about AI in accounting, particularly in developing products to complement or compete with market leaders like QuickBooks.
Challenges related to gaining user attention and overcoming switching costs in the industry.

Fractional CFO Services vs. Accounting Platforms

The fractional CFO-as-a-service offering is highly differentiated from platforms like QuickBooks by focusing on strategic financial guidance alongside clean and accurate accounting.
The unique approach of combining fractional CFO services with accounting ownership ensures superior outcomes.

Boundary Spanning in Business Organization

Companies reevaluate internal versus external functions to focus on core competencies.
The concept of outsourcing roles like CFO services to optimize resources aligns with the idea of comparative advantage.
XaaS is the future of the corporate form.