Adam Lean is the CEO and Co-Founder of The CFO Project, a company dedicated to training financial professionals on how to offer outsourced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and business advisory services. With an accounting background and years of experience in the corporate world, Adam transitioned into entrepreneurship, successfully launching, growing, and eventually selling two businesses. His journey in assisting other business owners led to the discovery of his true passion: educating and equipping entrepreneurs with the tools necessary to enhance their profitability and achieve financial peace of mind.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- How Adam Lean started and grew The CFO Project
- Why accountants and bookkeepers are stuck in a “trap” of limited pricing power
- Scaling a service-based business through training and productization
- The challenges of scaling a service business
- Adam explains The CFO Project’s business model
- The importance of communication and actionability in CFO services
- Why entrepreneurial mindset is key to success in accounting programs
- The value of understanding the unique needs of small to medium-sized businesses as a CFO
- Key business metrics that Adam closely monitors
- What’s one thing Adam wishes he invested in sooner?
In this episode…
In the fast-paced world of small businesses, how can accountants and financial professionals do more for their clients and grow their own businesses at the same time? Is there a way to offer more value without getting overwhelmed by more work?
According to Adam Lean, a seasoned entrepreneur, the key is to focus on training and develop a system that allows for scaling services. He emphasizes the importance of having an entrepreneurial mindset and the courage to step beyond traditional accounting roles to become a trusted business advisor. This approach not only enhances the value provided to clients but also opens up new avenues for professional growth and business development.
In this episode of the Financial Clarity podcast, host Hannah Smolinski talks with Adam Lean, CEO and Co-founder of The CFO Project, about how financial professionals can expand their impact through training. They discuss the significance of understanding business numbers, the critical role of cash flow management, and the necessity of overcoming imposter syndrome to succeed in offering outsourced CFO services.
Resources Mentioned in this episode
- Hannah Smolinski: LinkedIn | Email
- Clara CFO Group: Website | YouTube
- Financial Clarity podcast: Website | YouTube
- Adam Lean on LinkedIn
- The CFO Project
- Escaping the Accountant’s Trap
- “Creating a Curated Customer Experience With Samantha Irwin” on the Financial Clarity podcast
- “Keeping It Simple With Greg Crabtree” on the Financial Clarity podcast
- Jeffrey Prager on LinkedIn
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie and Dr. Arthur R. Pell
- The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement by Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox
Sponsor for this episode…
Clara CFO is dedicated to providing financial clarity and profit-maximizing solutions to small businesses. The team at Clara CFO are seasoned accounting professionals with a heart for small business. We help growth-minded entrepreneurs thrive through Fractional CFO services and financial education.
Whether you’re grappling with hiring decisions, profit margin concerns, or ambitious growth plans, Clara CFO provides insights, recommendations, and a clear financial roadmap to achieve your goals.
To learn more about Clara CFO Group and how we can help your business, visit ClaraCFO.com.
