Featuring insights from Adam Lean, CEO of The CFO Project
The Shift Every Accountant Needs to See
AI and automation are rewriting the rules of accounting.
They’re eliminating repetitive work—but also creating an opening for something bigger: meaningful advisory relationships.
When software does the data entry, clients don’t need a better reconciler.
They need a guide—someone who can help them interpret the numbers and make better decisions.
That’s where CFO advisory comes in.
“Business owners don’t wake up wanting a cleaner P&L,” says Adam Lean.
“They want to know how to make more money and keep it.”
CFO advisory isn’t about job titles. It’s about helping business owners generate positive cash flow and make confident choices—without hiring extra staff or trading more of your time.
What CFO Advisory Really Looks Like
“CFO advisory turns accountants into the guide every business owner wishes they had.” — Lee Reams II
At its core, CFO advisory is simple, repeatable, and scalable.
- Meet monthly with each client.
- Review a visual scoreboard that tracks key drivers of cash flow.
- Color-code results—red, yellow, green—to show what needs attention.
- Identify the top two or three actions that will move the numbers next month.
- Coach the client to take those actions, then repeat.
You’re not talking debits and credits. You’re translating performance into action.
Lee Reams II: “When you guide a client toward growth instead of just recording it, you become their most valuable advisor.”
Build Systems, Not Stress
Many accountants hesitate because they assume advisory means more work.
In reality, it means better work.
With a defined framework—like the nine-step monthly process Adam teaches—each engagement takes roughly four hours per month.
At an average fee of $2,000, that’s $500/hour work that can scale effortlessly because the system stays the same for every client.
Consistency builds confidence, and confidence keeps clients engaged.
“Systems make it scalable. Empathy makes it irreplaceable.” — Adam Lean
Why Clients Value It (and Why They’ll Pay for It)
Business owners aren’t shopping for reports; they’re searching for results.
They want someone who can simplify decisions, drive profitability, and hold them accountable.
When you help them build a cash-flow-positive business, you’re no longer an expense line—you’re an investment.
Adam Lean: “If you can help a business owner feel successful and secure, they’ll never leave you.”
That’s why CFO advisors often charge $1,500–$2,500 per month and maintain 87 percent retention. The impact is tangible.
Overcoming the Fear of Change
Risk aversion runs deep in the profession.
But the biggest risk now is standing still.
The “compliance comfort zone” feels safe, yet it’s shrinking fast.
Advisory isn’t risky—it’s relevant.
“AI isn’t eliminating accountants; it’s eliminating the excuses.” — Lee Reams II
Start small: choose one or two trusted clients, introduce the scoreboard method, and grow from there. The first success story will give you all the proof you need.
Lee Reams II: “Accountants who evolve into advisors aren’t competing with AI—they’re amplified by it.”
How to Get Started
1. Identify your best candidates.
‍Pick clients who own businesses and want growth or better cash flow.
2. Create a simple dashboard.
‍Track key drivers—leads, conversion rate, transaction value, retention, and expenses.
3. Meet monthly.
‍Keep it conversational, visual, and outcome-driven.
4. Charge for value.
‍Flat monthly pricing builds predictability for both sides.
5. Automate the upsell.
‍Platforms like CountingWorks PRO can automatically nurture and upsell your existing clients into CFO advisory services.
The Opportunity Is Now
Technology will keep evolving, but human insight will always win.
CFO advisory lets you scale that insight—guiding clients toward growth while creating sustainable, recurring revenue for your firm.
If you’re ready to move from compliance to confidence, this is your moment.
👉 To learn the methodology: Visit The CFO Project to see how firms are launching CFO advisory practices in as little as 90 days.
👉 To attract and upsell clients automatically: Explore CountingWorks PRO and its built-in playbooks for promoting CFO advisory services.
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