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Forward Share Network
No CFO at Series B? Ace Tarakchian Covers the Gap
Get Matched in 48 Hours →A Series B company without a CFO is operationally exposed – boards ask questions founders cannot answer, and investors read the silence as risk. Ace Tarakchian fills that gap as a fractional CFO, bringing the financial infrastructure, board reporting, and investor fluency a Series B company needs without the timeline of a full-time search.
What happens when you hit Series B without a CFO in place
Board members ask for rolling forecasts, burn bridges, and scenario models. Investors in diligence want auditable financials and a 24-month runway view. Without a CFO, founders spend 30–40% of their week fielding finance questions they are not equipped to answer – and the gaps show. The cost is not just time. It is credibility with the board and valuation in the next round.
What Ace does in the first 90 days
Ace runs a rapid financial audit in weeks one and two – accounts, accruals, burn rate, and headcount model. By day 30, he delivers a board-ready financial package. By day 60, he has rebuilt the forecast model from scratch, aligned it to the operating plan, and established a monthly close rhythm. The company stops firefighting and starts reporting with confidence.
When a fractional CFO is the right move over a full-time search
If your Series B close is within six months, a full-time CFO search will take longer than your runway allows – the average search runs four to six months. A fractional CFO starts in days. Ace works best when the founding team is financially literate but stretched, the board is applying pressure, and the company needs immediate credibility – not a permanent office holder. He frequently assists with the full-time CFO search and transition once the infrastructure is in place.
A STAR case from the Forward Share Ventures network
Situation: A B2B SaaS company at $8M ARR reached Series B close without a CFO. Their lead investor required auditable financials and a three-year model before funding could transfer. The founding team had no finance function – only a part-time bookkeeper.
Result: Ace joined within one week of the request. He delivered an auditor-ready financial package in 18 days, rebuilt the three-year model in 30, and facilitated the close. The company received its Series B funds 47 days after Ace started. He stayed for six months to onboard the permanent CFO hire.
"Series B investors are not just buying your product – they are buying your ability to run a company. If the financial story is not airtight, the deal slows down or falls apart. I come in to make the story airtight, fast."
– Ace Tarakchian, Finance & Strategy Expert Operator, Forward Share Ventures
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request an introduction to this expert operator?
Submit a brief through the match form at Forward Share Network. The team reviews your situation, confirms the expert operator's availability, and arranges a 20-minute introductory call – typically within 48 hours of your submission. No commitment is required before the intro call.
What engagement formats are available?
Three main structures: a structured advisory seat (one 60-minute session per month plus async availability), a scoped consulting project (30, 60, or 90 days with defined deliverables), or a strategic advisory retainer for ongoing functional partnership. The right format depends on your situation and timeline.
How much time does a typical engagement require?
Advisory engagements run roughly 2–3 hours per month per company, including the structured session and async exchanges. Scoped projects are more intensive for the duration – scope and time commitment are defined at kickoff. Most expert operators carry 2–4 active engagements simultaneously.
Are there placement fees or exclusivity arrangements?
No placement fees. Forward Share Network operates on an engagement model, not a transactional staffing model. Expert operators are not exclusive to any company – they bring the perspective of working across multiple situations simultaneously, which is a core part of the value.
What if my situation changes mid-engagement?
Engagements are structured with defined check-in milestones – typically at 30-day intervals. If your situation shifts, scope can be renegotiated at the next milestone. For scoped projects, the team can also configure a scope amendment before the halfway point if circumstances change materially.
Ready to match? No prep needed. 20 minutes.
Get Matched in 48 Hours →How It Works
Tell us your gap
20-minute read with Vish. We map the function, stage, and urgency — no deck required.
We match in 48 hours
You receive 1–3 STAR-verified operators matched to your exact situation — reviewed and accountable.
Deploy in days
No contract lock-in. Start with a sprint or ongoing engagement. Cancel any time.
How We Compare
The honest breakdown — what separates a Forward Share expert operator from your other options.
| Criteria | FSV Expert Operator | Staffing Agency | Full-Time Hire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to deploy | 48 hours | 3–6 weeks | 3–6 months |
| Commitment | Cancel anytime | Contract-locked | 12+ months |
| Track record | STAR-verified outcomes | Resume-screened | References only |
| Cost model | Engagement-based, no fee | 20–30% placement fee | Base + equity + benefits |
| Quality | Top 5% — curated from 400+ | Available candidates | Best hire at this stage |
| Risk | Low — no long-term lock-in | Medium — fee non-refundable | High — mis-hire is 1.5–2× salary |
Find Your Expert in 48 Hours.
No prep needed. 20 minutes. You'll leave with a clear read on your gap — and the right operator to close it.
STAR-Verified · No Placement Fee · Cancel Anytime