Risk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$36,000 - $64,000
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Min Cash Required
$36,000
Total US Locations
59
Business Summary
Focus CFO offers a franchise opportunity for individuals to operate as Area Presidents. Focus CFO Area Presidents work as business development leaders and strategic relationship managers, focusing on generating new clients for the Focus CFO system. They market and offer fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) services, including financial and operational support, accounting, business consulting, and exit planning, primarily to small and medium-sized businesses. These services are then performed by CFOs who are licensed by Focus CFO.
Corporate History
Focus CFO and its affiliates began providing Chief Financial Officer (CFO) services under the Focus CFO brand in September 2001. The parent company, Focus CFO Holdings, LLC, was formed in 2002. The franchisor entity, Focus CFO Group, LLC, was established in Ohio on March 13, 2018, and started offering franchises in April 2018. The company's system has evolved; since April 2023, Focus CFO no longer offers franchise opportunities to individuals wishing to operate as CFOs. Instead, it now focuses on offering Area President franchises.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$36,000 - $64,000
Franchise Fee (Low)
$35,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$35,000
Minimum Cash Required
$36,000
Equipment Costs (High)
$19,000
Working Capital
$3,000
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Focus CFO has provided audited financial statements that include an unqualified opinion from their independent auditors, indicating that the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the company's financial position. The auditors did not identify any substantial doubt about Focus CFO's ability to continue as a going concern. The company demonstrates a strong financial position with positive working capital and retained earnings.
Financing Details
Focus CFO does not offer any direct or indirect financing options to its franchisees. Additionally, Focus CFO will not guarantee any notes, leases, or other financial obligations for franchisees.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
59
Franchised Units
59
Corporate Units
0
Franchising Since
2018
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Summary
Focus CFO has no litigation to report in this disclosure document.
Bankruptcy History
Focus CFO has no bankruptcy history to report in this disclosure document.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their franchise agreement, Focus CFO franchisees must meet several conditions. They must execute general releases, comply with all provisions of their Franchise Agreement, and satisfy all Performance Standards outlined in Attachment E to the agreement. Franchisees must also not be in default of any agreement with Focus CFO. Additionally, they are required to pay a renewal fee of $2,500 and may be required to sign Focus CFO's then-current Franchise Agreement, which could have materially different terms and include new training and certification requirements.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Focus CFO provides comprehensive support to its franchisees, starting with pre-opening assistance. This includes full access to the confidential Playbook (an online learning and resource system) within two business days of signing the franchise agreement, followed by mandatory initial training through the Playbook to be completed within two weeks. Focus CFO grants a specific non-exclusive geographic territory of a 75-mile radius, provides access to an approved IT vendor for required services, and supplies branded apparel and logo pins. For ongoing support, Focus CFO offers access to marketing materials, literature, brochures, sales tools, business cards, and placement on the Focus CFO website. Franchisees receive access to standard proposal and contract documents, the Playbook, and opportunities to participate in coordinated business development efforts. Focus CFO also provides resources and suggestions for business development activities, ongoing training (virtual or in-person), and back-office administrative support for billing and collections. Additionally, Focus CFO provides optional business insurance coverage and conducts assessments to ensure adherence to its system and brand standards.
Initial Training Hours
30
Training Location
Online
Ongoing Support
After opening, Focus CFO provides its franchisees with comprehensive ongoing support. This includes continuous access to marketing materials, literature, brochures, sales tools, business cards, and placement on the Focus CFO website. Franchisees also receive access to standard proposal and contract documents and the continuously updated Focus CFO Playbook. Focus CFO offers opportunities for franchisees to participate in coordinated business development efforts and provides resources and suggestions for such activities. Ongoing training and updates are provided on topics like business development and client delivery, delivered virtually or at a U.S. location. The franchisor also handles back-office administrative support, including billing and collections, and offers optional business insurance coverage. Franchisees are invited to attend twice-yearly "All Hands Meetings" (spring virtual, fall in-person in Columbus, Ohio), twice-yearly "All AP" training and planning sessions (in-person), and monthly local group meetings (in-person or virtual).
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Focus CFO seeks qualified entities to become franchisees, specifically those 100% owned by an individual who will serve as an Area President. The ideal candidate must be prepared to directly participate in and supervise the franchise business, dedicating sufficient time and effort to its operation. Franchisees must successfully complete the initial training program and are responsible for all support resources they hire, including ensuring compliance with Focus CFO's policies and confidentiality obligations.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Hybrid
Owner Participation
Full-Time
Territory Type
Non-Exclusive
Territory Size Requirements
Focus CFO franchisees receive a non-exclusive geographic territory defined as a 75-mile radius around the address of their franchised business. This territory, however, will not extend into neighboring states where Focus CFO is not registered to sell franchises as of the effective date of the franchise agreement.
Staffing Notes
Focus CFO franchisees are not required to hire employees or outside contractors for administrative support, but they may do so without the franchisor's written consent. However, prior written approval from Focus CFO is required for any support resources who will have a "public facing role" utilizing the Focus CFO Marks. Franchisees are fully responsible for any support resources they hire, including complying with all employment laws and ensuring these individuals understand they are employees of the franchisee, not Focus CFO. All such support resources must sign confidentiality, non-solicitation, and non-competition agreements aligning with the terms of the Franchise Agreement. Management, personnel, and training requirements for these support resources are at the franchisee's discretion and sole responsibility.