Question 1

What is a fractional CFO?

Accepted Answer

A fractional CFO is an experienced finance executive who works with your company on a part-time or project basis - delivering the strategic financial leadership of a full-time CFO without the full-time cost. At Whales Finance, our fractional CFOs are embedded in your business and act as a genuine finance partner.

Question 2

Who is Whales Finance for?

Accepted Answer

We work with IT, SaaS, and tech-enabled companies - typically at the growth or scale stage. Our clients range from Series A startups building their first finance function to established SMEs preparing for a fundraise, M&A, or international expansion.

Question 3

What is the minimum engagement length?

Accepted Answer

All monthly retainer plans have a 3-month minimum. This gives us enough time to assess your finance function, implement improvements, and deliver measurable results.

Question 4

Is there a setup fee or free trial?

Accepted Answer

No setup fee. Every engagement starts with a complimentary financial audit - at no cost and with no commitment required. It is the fastest way to understand where your finance function stands today.

Question 5

How quickly can you start?

Accepted Answer

In most cases we can onboard within 5-7 business days of the initial call. We handle all onboarding steps - access to systems, stakeholder interviews, and the financial audit - so the process is seamless on your end.

Question 6

What does a typical engagement look like?

Accepted Answer

After the initial audit we agree on a 90-day roadmap with clear deliverables. Ongoing engagements include a monthly financial briefing, KPI review, rolling forecast updates, and ad-hoc advisory. You get a dedicated point of contact, not a rotating team.

Question 7

Do you work with companies outside Ukraine?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Whales Finance works with companies across Europe, North America, and globally. All engagements are delivered remotely, with async-first communication and regular video calls at your preferred cadence.

Question 8

Can I switch plans during the engagement?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Plans can be upgraded at any point and adjusted at renewal milestones. We will recommend the right tier based on your current stage and growth trajectory.

Question 9

What if I only need one specific service?

Accepted Answer

Every service is also available as a standalone engagement - without a monthly retainer. Individual service pricing is listed on the Pricing page.

Question 10

How is AI used in your work?

Accepted Answer

We have built proprietary AI tools that accelerate financial modelling, automate routine reporting, and surface insights from your data faster than traditional methods. AI handles the repetitive work so our CFOs spend their time on strategy and decisions that move the needle.

Question 11

Is my financial data secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We follow strict data handling protocols aligned with GDPR. Your data is never shared with third parties, and access is limited to the team directly working on your engagement. We sign NDAs and data processing agreements as standard.

Question 12

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Click "Let's talk" at the top of this page. The first call is free, lasts around 30 minutes, and we will give you an honest assessment of where you stand and what we would do.

Frequently asked questions