Ask any CEO and company board member what their top-of-mind pain points are, and the response is likely cash flow strains, meeting ROI objectives, and controlling the hot-button issues that simmer and boil to create operational disruption. From another angle, they strive to stay sure-footed, avoiding unpleasant surprises.
Whereas traditional CFOs clock into the same company daily, their fractional cousins are part-time, working with multiple CEOs on a contract or project basis. A primary benefit is the CFO steps into your business at a fraction of the traditional cost. Indeed, “fractional” sounds like a temporary or interim fix, but not necessarily so – some CEOs stay with their fractional CFOs for years. If the concept works for you, the incumbent can deliver more for longer than anyone expects. Getting ready to take it on is what this article is all about.
How do you empower ambition?
McKinsey recently published their recommendations to improve finance department efficiencies and effectiveness over the next decade. They first told businesses to move beyond transactional activities to find new efficiencies. Then, they suggested companies consolidate their financial information into a single source of truth to improve data management. McKinsey also encouraged businesses to use data visualization and advanced analytics to strengthen their decision-making. Their final recommendation was for businesses to reimagine their financial models. How do you empower ambition?
Lately, there’s been a lot of talk surrounding Microsoft Dynamics GP — often called Microsoft Great Plains, Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains, Microsoft GP, or Dynamics GP — possibly nearing its end-of-life stage. Some say Microsoft is ending support for Dynamics GP in 2025, others say 2026 or 2028, and others say that the rumors aren’t true and it isn’t ending at all.
FAQs
Q: Is operating income the same as EBIT? A: Almost, but not quite. EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes) includes any non-operational income, whereas operating income focuses solely on earnings from core business activities.
Q: Can operating income be negative? A: Yes, a negative operating income indicates that a company’s operating expenses exceed its gross revenue, signaling operational inefficiencies or challenges.
Q: Why is operating income important? A: Operating income provides a clear view of a company’s operational efficiency and profitability, independent of external financial activities. It’s a crucial metric for investors, creditors, and management to assess the health and performance of a business.