Fractional CFO
For owners whose business makes a profit but is always short of cash. Alehar runs your finance function, or extends the team you already have, month to month, with cash flow as the first priority.
What we hear
Alehar's cash flow and working capital work covers cash flow forecasting, a 13-week cash view, working capital management and the funding of any gap. It is part of Corporate Finance as a Service, a monthly finance function for companies anywhere.
“We made a profit last year, but I still worry about paying salaries at the end of the month.”
Usually starts when customers pay later, the business grows, or sales follow the seasons.
Alehar builds a cash flow forecast from how your customers really pay and when your bills fall due. It shows the low points weeks ahead. It then finds where cash is stuck, such as slow-paying customers or too much stock, and recommends what to change.
“We just won our biggest contract, and I don't know how we will pay for it before the customer pays us.”
Usually starts with a large order, a new customer, or building stock for the busy season.
Alehar maps the contract month by month, from buying materials and hiring to the day the customer pays. It shows how much cash the contract needs at its peak. It then compares ways to cover the gap, such as better payment terms, a working capital loan or invoice finance.
“We raised last year and I can't say with confidence how many months of cash we have left.”
Usually starts when hiring and spending ramp up after a round, or when revenue comes in slower than the plan.
Alehar works out the true monthly burn from what has actually been spent and what the hiring and spending plan adds, checks it against the bank balance every month, and shows how many months the cash lasts in a base case and a slower one. It then shows which costs to cut first and what each cut adds to the runway, so the decision on when to raise is made on numbers.
The engagement
A partner, a complete team, no lock-in, and support for the next raise or exit when it comes.
One partner owns your finance function. They work alongside the people you already have, and take on what your team does not have the capacity or the experience to run.
Behind the partner is a team from analyst to executive, drawn from private equity, investment banking and strategy consulting. Reporting, planning and transaction preparation are covered without adding headcount.
The engagement runs monthly and can be ended at any time, without penalty. You pay for a senior finance function, not for the cost of building one.
Alehar advises on fundraising, debt and M&A, and brings a network of venture, private equity and corporate investors. When the next step comes, the people who have run your numbers run the process.
Tell us how we can support you.
We're excited to connect with you and know more.
What we offer
Historical Performance
By reconciling your historical and current performance and putting in place critical financial processes and systems
Optimization
By analyzing your financial performance to identify quick and easy actions to save costs and improve working capital management
Financial Planning
By working closely with you to do short and long-term financial budgeting, forecasting and modeling different scenarios.
Growth and Expansion
By supporting you in the assessment of the ROI and feasibility of potential growth initiatives for your company.
Investment Readiness
By working backwards from your target (debt/equity investment, partial sale, full sale) to identify the changes needed to get your company ready.
How we work the cash problem
A 13-week cash view and a 12-month plan, built from how your customers actually pay and when your bills fall due. For a funded company this is the burn and the runway, in a base case and a slower one.
Collections, payment terms, stock, pricing, spending and the hiring plan, worked in the order that releases the most cash soonest. The forecast is updated as each change lands, so you see the low point move and know when the business can fund itself.
If a gap remains, Alehar works out how much, when and in what form: a working capital facility, invoice finance, a term loan or equity. If you decide to raise, Alehar can support the raise through its Raising Equity or Debt service.
Client stories
Sectors where cash timing shapes the business
Some services described on this page may be regulated activities in certain jurisdictions. Alehar provides services only where legally permitted. See our Disclaimer.
Perspectives on corporate finance, fundraising, and M&A, from the Alehar team.
