Financial Advisory
Nonprofit financial advisory
MFO’s financial advisory gives nonprofit leaders CFO-level guidance without a full-time hire. We build budgets and forecasts, plan cash, prepare boards for financial decisions, and help design the systems and structure a growing organization needs.
AT A GLANCE
Who it’s for
Leaders and boards planning growth, change or a tighter financial picture
What’s included
Budgets, rolling forecasts, cash planning, board support and finance systems
Your advisor
A Nonprofit CFO who works alongside your controller
Format
Recurring planning sessions, plus support when decisions come up
What’s included
Guidance for the decisions ahead
Annual budgets
Budgets built by program, grant or entity, in the format your board and funders expect.
Rolling forecasts
Forecasts updated as the year unfolds, so you can see year-end results and plan around them.
Cash planning
Cash runway and low, middle and high scenarios, so leadership knows what it can commit to.
Board and finance committee support
Clear financial summaries, recommendations and someone who can walk the board through them.
Structure and growth
Guidance on new programs, related entities and shared services, working alongside your legal counsel.
Systems and controls
Chart of accounts design, approval workflows, internal controls and audit readiness as you grow.
MFO doesn’t prepare tax returns or perform audits. We work directly with your auditors and 990 preparer so those engagements go smoothly.
How it works
A steady, predictable process
01
Understand your goals
We start with your mission, funding picture and the decisions in front of you.
02
Build the model
We turn your plans into a budget and forecast tied directly to your accounting.
03
Review together
We meet on a recurring basis to review results against plan and talk through what’s changing.
04
Adjust as you go
When funding, staffing or programs change, we update the plan and show the impact.
Who it’s for
A good fit if you are…
- Organizations without a full-time CFO
- Leaders planning growth, a new program or a new entity
- Boards that want a forward-looking view, not just last month
- Organizations navigating a funding change
Related services
Works best together
“In 2022, we launched a related entity and MFO provided exceptional advice and counsel throughout that process. They continue to grow with us and provide reliable and creative solutions for our team.”
Common questions
Financial Advisory FAQ
What does a fractional nonprofit CFO do?
A fractional CFO provides CFO-level work part time: budgets, forecasts, cash planning, board reporting and financial strategy. At MFO, every client has access to a Nonprofit CFO who works alongside the dedicated controller.
When does a nonprofit need CFO-level support?
Nonprofits often need CFO-level support when they’re growing quickly, adding programs or entities, facing a funding change, or when the board wants a forward-looking view of the organization’s finances.
Can MFO help us set up a new nonprofit or related entity?
Yes. MFO helps with the financial side of new organizations and related entities, including accounting setup, banking, budgets and shared-cost arrangements, and works alongside your legal counsel.
Can MFO build budgets in a format our funders require?
Yes. MFO can build and track budgets in the format your funders or board already use, while keeping your accounting structured so reports come straight from the books.
Last updated October 2026
Get in touch
Put your mission first
Whether you’re looking for a new accounting partner or want to learn how MFO can serve your nonprofit, we’d love to hear from you.