Questions to Ask a Fractional CFO Before Hiring

When CEOs consider hiring a fractional CFO, the decision can feel like a leap of faith. The role has the potential to transform a business—stretching cash runways, securing capital, and preparing for exits—but only if you find the right partner.

Hayat Amin, two-time exited CFO and founder of Beyond Elevation, believes the process starts with asking the right questions.

Over 16+ years, he has guided companies through funding rounds, M&A strategies, and $6 billion in collective exits. From fintech firms acquired by American Express to scaling a grants platform that processed 65% of all Innovate UK grants, he has seen what works—and what doesn’t.

Here are the questions he says every CEO should ask before bringing a fractional CFO on board.

1. What experience do you have at my stage of growth?

According to Hayat, this is the first and most important filter. A CFO who excels in Series B fundraising may not be the right fit for a bootstrapped SME.

Look for someone who has navigated the specific challenges of your stage—whether that’s stabilising cash flow, raising venture capital, or preparing for exit.

Hayat himself has worked across every stage—from building finance functions for startups to architecting multi-billion-dollar exits.

2. How do you build financial clarity?

Most businesses don’t fail from lack of funding—they fail from lack of clarity. Hayat argues that the right fractional CFO must be able to:

• Show you where profits are actually generated

• Spot segments bleeding cash

• Deliver forecasts you can trust

  
  

In his words: “You don’t need financial reporting. You need financial clarity that drives decisions.”

3. How do you use technology and AI in finance?

Traditional CFOs are still formatting cells at 9 PM on Sunday. The best fractional CFOs, Hayat insists, have moved beyond spreadsheets entirely.

• AI automates reporting

• Forecasts run on machine learning models

• Dashboards update in real-time

  
  

This frees CFOs to focus on strategy, relationships, and growth opportunities.

4. Can you support fundraising and investor relations?

A CFO’s value often shows up in the capital they unlock. Ask about:

• Experience with VC, PE, and crowdfunding

• Track record in preparing investor-ready reports

• Ability to model valuations and exit scenarios

Hayat has personally helped clients raise millions from investors including Andreessen Horowitz and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

5. How do you measure success?

Hayat stresses that a fractional CFO shouldn’t just track costs saved or reports produced. Success should be measured in strategic outcomes:

• Revenue growth

• Runway extension

• Successful fundraising

• Increased enterprise value

  
  

6. How do you integrate with existing teams?

Cultural fit matters. A great fractional CFO won’t feel like an outsider—they embed into your company, align with your leadership, and empower teams.

Hayat often notes that his work isn’t about dropping in with spreadsheets, but about building financial cultures that last beyond his engagement.

Final Word from Hayat Amin

Hiring a fractional CFO isn’t about plugging a gap in your finance team. It’s about bringing in strategic leadership without the full-time cost.

The right questions reveal whether a candidate can deliver more than reports—they should deliver clarity, confidence, and a roadmap to growth.

As Hayat Amin puts it: “Fractional CFOs don’t just keep businesses alive. The right ones make businesses investable, scalable, and exit-ready.”

Want to work with Hayat? Book a call above!