What to consider about the real estate debt cliff.

Five strategic questions for leaders of arts and cultural nonprofits to assess whether their financial operations can support their future work. by Dorcas Riley, CPA Nonprofit and Social Enterprise Practice Leader We work with many arts and cultural nonprofits, and one thing we hear pretty consistently from Executive Directors is some version of this: "I know our finances aren't where they need to be, but I'm not sure exactly where the gaps are." That's a hard place to lead f

Keeping It Steady During a Company-Defining Moment. How Charles River CFO Supported a Biotech Firm Through a Reverse Split, a Financing Round, and a CFO Transition.

10 Essentials for Credit Union Leaders Heading to the Annual Governmental Affairs Conference

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted July 4, 2025, restores immediate expensing for domestic research and experimental costs. For qualifying small businesses, this creates both retroactive refund opportunities for 2022-2024 and go-forward tax savings starting in 2025.

Navigating the CFO and Financial Staffing Crisis in Credit Unions

In this session, experts will guide startups through the tricky balance of bookkeeping, accounting, and fractional CFO support, showing exactly when you need each so you don’t feel like you’re on the edge without a safety net.

For credit union CFOs, the challenge isn’t just choosing the “right” technology. It’s aligning technology investments with financial discipline, member trust, and long-term strategy.

The Top 10 Effects of OBBB Tax Law on Small Businesses

Surviving and Thriving in the Long Biotech Winter Kevin Sarney "The IPO market remains unwelcoming to biotechs and venture investors are reticent to back younger companies. In the absence of reliable funding sources, many biotechs are trying to advance their most promising programs while keeping their operations lean until they can get to a fundable milestone. Big4Bio podcast talked to CRCFO's Kevin Sarney, about the current uncertainty biotechs face, the need for capital e

by Dorcas Riley, CPA Nonprofit and Social Enterprise Practice Leader A financial assessment offers significant value by identifying strengths, uncovering gaps, and providing actionable recommendations to optimize your finance and accounting functions. Below, I’ve outlined key benefits of this process: Ensures Audit Readiness: We evaluate your financial records, processes, and controls to confirm they meet regulatory and auditor requirements, reducing stress, audit cost, and m

by Dorcas Riley, CPA Nonprofit and Social Enterprise Practice Leader When does it make sense to bring in a fractional CFO or Controller to supplement your team? As the demands on nonprofit finance functions grow sharper, many organizations find themselves at a crossroads. You may find yourself managing: Diverse grants with strict restrictions Declining government support and tighter reporting deadlines Intense pressure to deliver accurate, timely financial reports and insigh

by Tim Smith, CPA Credit Union Practice Leader Stablecoin: A Strategic Imperative for Credit Union Leaders The financial landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and at the heart of this transformation lies the emergence of stablecoins. For credit union leadership, understanding this nascent technology isn't just about staying informed; it's about safeguarding your institution's future profitability and relevance. Stablecoin, digital tokens typically pegged to fiat cur

by Gardner Oleson, CPA Technology and General Business Practice Leader In today’s fast-paced tech landscape, CFOs and CEOs of startups and small firms rely on financial analytics to transform raw data into strategic insights. By integrating dashboards, scenario planning, and real-time KPIs into your finance function, you can make faster, smarter decisions that unlock growth. Here are some key points to consider. REAL-TIME DASHBOARDS & KPIs Consolidate data from accounting sys

by Kevin Sarney, CPA Life Sciences Practice Leader Taking a company public through an IPO is a significant milestone, but it also introduces a new set of financial reporting responsibilities. Many firms, after the initial excitement of going public, find themselves unprepared for the rigorous quarterly reporting requirements mandated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). At Charles River CFO (CRCFO), we specialize in providing fractional finance services to su

Why Startups Are Turning to Fractional CFOs, Controllers, and FP&A Specialists to Scale Smartly by Gardner Oleson, CPA Technology and General Business Practice Leader In today's fast-paced technology landscape, startups scale–sometimes rapidly–with lean teams and limited resources. Financial leadership is crucial, yet hiring a full-time CFO or building an in-house finance department may not be feasible. This is where fractional finance professionals—such as CFOs, controllers,

by Dorcas Riley, CPA Nonprofit and Social EnterprisePractice Leader The recent uncertainty in federal grants presents a significant challenge for nonprofit organizations that rely on this funding to sustain their operations and fulfill their missions. As the Urban Institute recently reported, "95% of all U.S. counties have public charities that receive government grants. In every state, between 60% and 80% of nonprofits that rely on these grants would be at risk of a financia

Recently, Jack McCullough, CFO thought leader, author, Founder and President of The CFO Leadership Council, and member of Charles River CFO’s Advisory Board, presented his perspectives for 2025 to our team. 1. Economic Landscape and Policy Outlook CFO optimism is rising with confidence projected to reach 2021 levels (StrategicCFO360). Pro-business policies at the federal level including lower corporate taxes and deregulation may boost growth. Global trade risks persist and su

As biotech startups navigate critical growth phases, financial complexity intensifies. Fractional CFO services become invaluable.

Join us for our quarterly "CFO Call" Webinar Series Wednesday, November 13, 11:30 AM -12:30 PM EST With 2025 fast approaching, now is the time to address two important topics that may be on your planning horizon. First, we will provide an overview of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network's (FinCEN) new Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) filing requirement, due by January 1, 2025. Additionally, we will review key considerations and a suggested timeline of actions if you