Mercova Advisory · Fractional CFO
A fractional CFO to explain your numbers and support monthly decisions
Your business generates revenue, but results and cash remain difficult to read. Mercova helps owners of SMEs and startups understand their finances each month and discuss what to do next.
Free confidential call, no obligation.
The problem
Running on instinct instead of numbers
For owners of SMEs and startups with roughly EUR 1–30 million in revenue, size alone does not determine the need. The gap appears when accounts exist but nobody connects the numbers to cash, margin and investment decisions.
No cash visibility
You only find out where the cash stands when the bank balance starts to worry you. No view ahead, no idea where the next squeeze will come from.
Messy reporting
The numbers live in spreadsheets, with your accountant and in your head. Each tells a slightly different story, and the month end close drags on for weeks.
Bank and lender pressure
Lenders ask for forecasts and covenants you struggle to produce, so you end up negotiating financing from a position of weakness.
Decisions made blind
Hiring, pricing, investment and large orders all come down to gut feel, because no one can model what they do to cash and margin.
Match the support to your situation
Monthly support is relevant when…
You have accounts but need a regular interpretation of margins and cash, a discussion of decisions and priorities to follow up. You can provide the data and make time for decisions.
Another format may be needed
Incomplete accounting records need to be made reliable first. Daily operational responsibility, an urgent liquidity crisis or a permanent leadership role may require an internal team or a dedicated specialist.
What you get
Numbers explained, priorities to discuss
Monthly financial review is the starting point. Forecasting, financing and support for your team depend on the agreed scope and available data.
Monthly cash flow forecast
A rolling forecast to identify sensitive weeks and test expected receipts and payments. Assumptions and the update date remain visible; a monthly review is not daily monitoring.
Reporting with interpretation
A reading of results, the balance sheet and cash: what changed, which differences need explaining and what to discuss. Reporting for banks or investors is defined within the engagement.
KPI dashboard
Indicators selected for your activity and linked to margins, collections and monthly decisions. Actual data is distinguished from estimates.
Financing and debt capacity support
Where included, debt capacity analysis, preparation of financial information and support in lender discussions. Credit decisions and terms remain with the lender.
Scenario planning
Model the big decisions before you commit: a key hire, a price change, a large order, the loss of a major client, or a downturn.
A finance partner on call
An adviser to interpret the numbers and coordinate financial topics with you and your accounting firm. Access between meetings and team oversight depend on the chosen scope.
Work from a financial reporting engagement
What we actually delivered for a business owner
During a recurring engagement, Mercova produced several reports bringing together the company’s results, cost structure and cash flows. These are the analyses included in those deliverables, with no information that could identify the client.
Understanding profitability
The income statement, fixed and variable costs, and break even revenue are presented in one report.
The question to examine: what revenue is needed to cover costs and generate a profit?
Understanding cash movements
The reports present cash flows alongside receivables, liabilities and borrowings.
The question to examine: why are profit and the bank balance moving differently?
Reports across several periods
Successive reports cover the same categories of analysis, giving the owner a regular basis for understanding the numbers.
The question to examine: what has changed since the last period and needs a closer look?
This account describes work delivered. It does not claim a financial gain attributable to the engagement. The demonstration tables on this site use fictional data that is separate from client reports.
Explore the demonstration tablesFictional example illustrating our financial management method.
1. Revenue grows. Do earnings follow?
The extra €25,000 of sales adds only €5,000 of contribution, absorbed by €5,000 of extra fixed costs. Before seeking more volume, we examine pricing, sales mix, costs and one off items.
See the figures and assumptionsOngoing financial support, decisions every month
A dashboard is a starting point. We propose annual support around your results, cash and upcoming decisions, with a retainer billed monthly according to the agreed scope.
01
Understand your need
In a free initial 20 minute call, we discuss your business, available figures and a specific decision that concerns you.
02
Agree a clear annual scope
If there is a fit, the proposal sets out deliverables, meetings, data requirements, monthly fees and duration terms. You decide before committing.
03
Analyse, decide and review actions
Each month brings an interpretation of the figures and a discussion of decisions. Cash reviews can be more frequent when the need, data and scope support it.
For owners of SMEs and startups with an established business, typically around 1 to 30 million in annual revenue. The need for recurring analysis, data quality and your involvement matter as much as size.
20 minutes to discuss your situation. No obligation.
Useful information to get started
Depending on your business: recent accounts and trial balance, bank balances, customer and supplier ageing, loans and commitments, and sales and margin details. We agree on necessary access and the delivery timetable. Do not send confidential records through a public form.
Accounting firm, software or CFO: what is missing?
Your accounting firm or fiduciary
Its scope can include accounting, local obligations, advice and sometimes management reporting. Check what is already included to avoid duplicating the work.
Your financial tools
They bring data together, calculate indicators and support forecasts. Their usefulness depends on setup and data quality; they do not decide your priorities for you.
Your financial adviser
An adviser challenges assumptions, explains differences and helps you weigh decisions. The additional need is interpretation and follow up, using your existing tools and advisers.
Pricing
A monthly retainer, no surprises
Annual support billed monthly is built around recurring needs. The offers below cover different levels of involvement. Deliverables, frequency, duration and terms are confirmed in the proposal.
Essentials
For SMEs and startups that need reliable numbers and a clear view of their cash for the first time.
- Monthly cash flow forecast (13 week rolling)
- Concise monthly reporting pack
- Core KPI dashboard
- Monthly review call
Growth
For scaling SMEs and startups making active financing and investment decisions.
- Everything in Essentials
- Board ready pack with commentary
- Scenario and budget modeling
- Financing and debt capacity support
- Priority access between meetings
Partner
A true CFO at the table for complex, fast moving or deal active companies.
- Everything in Growth
- Board attendance and investor reporting
- Lender and investor negotiation support
- Hands on finance team oversight
- Exit and acquisition readiness
Indicative Mercova retainers from EUR 1.5k to EUR 5k per month, not market averages. Final scope and fee are agreed after the diagnostic call. Duration and engagement terms are specified in the proposal.
Why Mercova
Investment bank rigor, owner pragmatism
You get the discipline of a top tier finance function, applied to the realities of a founder led SME or startup.
- Senior finance experience built in investment banking and corporate finance.
- Direct, founder friendly communication, with no jargon and no theater.
- Hands on with your tools, your accountant and your bank, not just slides.
- Independent and conflict free: we never sell you financial products.
- Annual support, with scope, monthly fees and terms defined before the work begins.
Prefer us to contact you?
Leave your details to discuss your finance needs and a suitable scope of support.
FAQ
Questions founders ask us
Straight answers on scope, cost and how fractional CFO support actually works.
Get a clear view of your numbers
Discuss your cash position, reporting and upcoming decisions so we can define support suited to your situation.