The lateralCFO Blog

CFO-level thinking for small business finance.

Practical guides on cash flow, profit drivers, forecasting and KPIs for owners, in-house finance teams, CPAs and fractional CFOs.

Jon Bassford

Written by Jon Bassford, JD, MBA, CAE

Founder of lateralCFO

Fathom Alternative in 2026: Best Option for Small Businesses

Fathom Alternative in 2026: Best Option for Small Businesses

Looking for a fathom alternative? lateralCFO offers driver-based scorecards, 12-month forecasts and AI insights for QuickBooks and Xero. Try free. ...more

Cash Flow

October 30, 2026

How to Become a Fractional CFO: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Become a Fractional CFO: Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to become a fractional CFO step by step, from key skills and certifications to building a client base and the tools top practitioners use. ...more

Cash Flow

October 29, 2026

How to Improve Cash Flow: A Guide for Small Businesses

How to Improve Cash Flow: A Guide for Small Businesses

Learn how to improve cash flow with driver-based tracking, forecasting, and clear next steps built for small businesses. Start your free trial today. ...more

Cash Flow

October 28, 2026

Will AI Replace Bookkeepers? What the Data Really Shows

Will AI Replace Bookkeepers? What the Data Really Shows

Will AI replace bookkeepers? See what AI can and can't do, plus how to use AI-driven scorecards to boost advisory value and grow client revenue. ...more

Cash Flow

October 27, 2026

What Does a Fractional CFO Do? Roles, Costs & Options

What Does a Fractional CFO Do? Roles, Costs & Options

What does a fractional CFO do? Discover their key duties, typical costs, and how a driver-based scorecard tool delivers similar insight faster. ...more

Cash Flow

October 26, 2026

Budget vs Forecast: Key Differences Small Businesses Need

Budget vs Forecast: Key Differences Small Businesses Need

Budget vs forecast comparisons help small businesses track spending, predict cash flow and adjust targets fast. See how lateralCFO automates both. ...more

Cash Flow

October 25, 2026

Fathom vs Jirav vs lateralCFO: Which Is Better for a Small Accounting Firm?

Fathom vs Jirav vs lateralCFO: Which Is Better for a Small Accounting Firm?

A detailed comparison of Fathom, Jirav, and lateralCFO for small accounting firms, covering setup time, forecasting depth, AI insights, and which tool scales best. ...more

Cash Flow

October 30, 2026

What Is the Best Driver-Based Forecasting Tool for SMBs?

What Is the Best Driver-Based Forecasting Tool for SMBs?

The best driver-based forecasting tool for SMBs connects to QuickBooks or Xero, tracks revenue, net income, and cash flow drivers, and forecasts 12 months ahead. ...more

Cash Flow

October 29, 2026

Which Financial Reporting Tool Is Best for an Accounting Firm With Many Small Business Clients?

Which Financial Reporting Tool Is Best for an Accounting Firm With Many Small Business Clients?

Find out which financial reporting tool is best for an accounting firm with many small business clients, from QuickBooks and Xero integration to driver-based scorecards. ...more

Cash Flow

October 28, 2026

What Is the Best AI CFO Tool for Small Businesses?

What Is the Best AI CFO Tool for Small Businesses?

A practical guide to choosing the best AI CFO tool for small businesses, comparing driver-based scorecards, dashboards, spreadsheets, and CFO consulting. ...more

Cash Flow

October 27, 2026

What Tools Help Accountants Deliver Client Advisory Services at Scale?

What Tools Help Accountants Deliver Client Advisory Services at Scale?

Discover the software stack accountants use to deliver client advisory services at scale, including driver-based scorecards, QuickBooks/Xero integrations, and AI insight tools. ...more

Cash Flow

October 26, 2026

What Is the Easiest Financial Forecasting Software for Small Businesses?

What Is the Easiest Financial Forecasting Software for Small Businesses?

The easiest financial forecasting software for small businesses connects to QuickBooks or Xero and turns your books into a monthly forecast in minutes. ...more

Cash Flow

October 25, 2026