The Relational Ledger
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Fractional CFO / Controller?
A fractional CFO or controller is a part-time financial leader who provides high-level support without the cost of a full-time hire. They help with budgeting, cash flow management, financial reporting, and strategic planning—giving small businesses the insights they need to grow with confidence. You get trusted guidance and oversight, tailored to your size, stage, and goals.
What’s the difference between bookkeeping and CFO services?
Bookkeeping keeps your day-to-day financials in order—tracking income, expenses, payroll, and reconciliations so your records stay accurate and up to date. Fractional CFO services go further, offering strategic insight into your business’s financial health. A CFO helps you understand your numbers, plan for the future, manage cash flow, and make confident decisions based on the full picture.
Will I work directly with you?
Yes. When you work with The Relational Ledger, you're working directly with me—Erick Clow, CPA. I take the time to understand your business, your goals, and your challenges. You won’t be passed off to a junior staffer or shuffled into a system. This is a hands-on partnership, built on trust, communication, and consistency.
Can you help clean up messy books?
Absolutely. Most of our clients don’t come to us with perfect records—and that’s okay. Whether your books are months behind, full of errors, or just disorganized, we can help clean things up, get you caught up, and put solid systems in place moving forward. No shame, no stress—just a fresh start and clear direction.
Do you only work with businesses in Tennessee?
Not at all. While I’m based in Middle Tennessee and proud to support local businesses and family-run operations here, I work with clients across the U.S. All of my services—bookkeeping, payroll, CFO support, and systems setup—are fully remote and built for long-term partnership, no matter where you’re located.