Corporate finance is the skill. Fractional CFO is the vehicle.

24 Feb 2026 · 1 min

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In this concise YouTube monologue, Charles Leikauf argues that the most effective way for corporate finance professionals to achieve wealth and regain personal freedom is to become fractional CFOs for small businesses that generate over $1 million in annual revenue. He explains that a fractional CFO’s job is to help these businesses make more money, retain a larger share of their earnings, and gain a clear understanding of their finances. Leveraging existing corporate finance expertise, he suggests that professionals already possess the strategic insight needed, while the technical nuances of small‑business finance are a separate skill set. To transition, he recommends obtaining a certification, learning how to bundle services into a marketable package, and positioning oneself as a small‑business finance expert.

Chapters

The new way of getting rich and getting your life back with corporate finance knowledge is not studying the valuation book by McKinsey. It's setting yourself up as a fractional CFO. You might ask Charles, what the hell does a fractional CFO even do? Fractional CFO helps small businesses doing over $1 million a year make more money, keep more of their money, and understand their money. If you can do those three things, you can offer fractional CFO services. Now, I recommend you get a certification, you learn a little bit how to put together a package and offer. But if you're already a corporate finance individual, you are considered a small business expert because corporate finance is up here. As far as technical skills, small business finance is down here.