Fractional CFO & Strategic Finance

Forging Clarity.
Fueling Growth.

Institutional-grade financial thinking for private companies that need more than bookkeeping but aren't ready for a full-time CFO.

"Your bookkeeper records transactions. Your accountant files taxes. Who's helping you make better financial decisions?"

Most private companies operate in a gap between bookkeeping and strategic finance. They have someone recording what happened, but no one helping them decide what should happen next. The result: decisions based on gut feel, fundraises that stall, and boards that ask questions you can't answer.

SpringForge fills that gap.

What We Do

Full-stack finance expertise

From building the model to explaining it to the board to using it to negotiate a term sheet -- one person, end to end.

Financial Reporting & Close Management

Establish and manage monthly financial close processes, build reporting packages, and ensure leadership has accurate, timely financial data.

  • Management reporting package (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow)
  • KPI dashboard design and implementation
  • Board reporting deck with financial summary

Forecasting & Financial Modeling

Build dynamic financial models to support strategic decisions -- fundraising, hiring plans, pricing, scenario analysis, and runway management.

  • 3-statement financial model (P&L, cash flow, balance sheet)
  • Scenario analysis (base / upside / downside)
  • Cash flow forecast and runway projection

Capital Planning & Fundraising Support

Develop capital strategy, prepare for fundraising, and provide hands-on support through the raise -- from materials to term sheet analysis.

  • Fundraising narrative and investor-facing model
  • Data room preparation and organization
  • Term sheet analysis and negotiation support

Valuation & Transaction Advisory

Rigorous, defensible valuations for internal planning, transactions, equity compensation, or fundraising positioning.

  • Comparable company and precedent transaction analysis
  • Discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation
  • 409A support and documentation

M&A Advisory

Support buy-side or sell-side M&A processes -- from target screening through close and integration.

  • Financial due diligence and quality of earnings
  • Synergy and accretion/dilution modeling
  • Deal structure analysis and integration planning

Board & Investor Relations

Build and maintain the infrastructure for effective board governance and investor communication.

  • Board deck template and recurring preparation
  • Cap table management and scenario modeling
  • KPI reporting aligned to investor expectations

Strategic Finance

A finance-native strategic thought partner -- translating financial data into actionable strategic insights for CEOs and founders.

  • Pricing strategy and unit economics analysis
  • Strategic initiative evaluation (build vs. buy)
  • Competitive financial benchmarking
Why SpringForge

Not your typical fractional CFO

01

Both sides of the table

Nine years as an institutional investor evaluating companies, plus hands-on operating roles as a finance leader. That combination -- investor rigor and operator empathy -- is rare in a fractional CFO.

02

Board room to spreadsheet

Can build the financial model, present it to the board, and use it to negotiate a term sheet. Strategic thinking and tactical execution in one person -- no handoffs, no lost context.

03

Institutional standard, startup speed

Big 4 quality financial infrastructure without the overhead, approval chains, or six-figure engagement fees. You get the senior person doing the work -- not a manager running a team of associates.

04

Committed practice, not a gig

SpringForge is a purpose-built practice, not a side hustle between full-time roles. That means relationship continuity, institutional knowledge, and a long-term partner invested in your outcomes.

Experience

Proven at the highest levels

Over 15 years of experience across institutional investing, corporate development, M&A, and finance leadership.

Intermolecular, Inc.
Board of Directors

Served on the board of this publicly traded semiconductor materials company through its acquisition by Merck KGaA for $62M.

Shape Security
Investment Diligence

Conducted deep-dive investment analysis on this cybersecurity company prior to its acquisition by F5 Networks for $1B.

Toast
Investment Diligence

Evaluated this restaurant technology platform ahead of its $870M IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.

TIBCO Software
M&A Advisory

Led M&A analysis supporting the company's integration and strategic positioning in its $16.5B sale to Vista Equity Partners.

Books-A-Million
GVP Finance, Planning & Analysis

Oversaw budgeting, treasury management, FP&A, and real estate finance for a $500M+ retailer and its portfolio of companies.

Royal Cup Coffee & Tea
Director of Finance / FP&A

Led post-COVID cash flow recovery, financial reporting transformation, and FP&A buildout for a multi-generational beverage company.

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About

Matthew Furnas

I've spent nearly 20 years making financial decisions that matter -- as an institutional investor managing concentrated positions, as a board member through an acquisition, as a corporate development professional executing billion-dollar transactions, and as a finance leader building FP&A functions from scratch.

SpringForge exists because most private companies deserve better financial thinking than they can access. Not a bookkeeper recording history. Not a template from a platform. A senior finance partner who has been on both sides of every table that matters -- investor, operator, board member, advisor.

Based in Birmingham, Alabama. Serving companies nationally.

Investor

9 years at Raging Capital Management analyzing companies and deploying institutional capital

Board

Public company board member at Intermolecular through M&A process

Operations

CFO at Preferred Growth Properties; GVP Finance at Books-A-Million; Director of Finance at Royal Cup

Education

B.S. Finance & Economics, Olin Business School, Washington University in St. Louis

Corporate Development

M&A analyst at TIBCO Software during $16.5B acquisition

Credentials

FINRA Series 65; qualified investment adviser representative

How We Work

Flexible engagement models

Every company's needs are different. Choose the format that fits your stage and goals.

Get Started

Let's talk about what you're building.

Whether you need a fractional CFO, a specific financial deliverable, or a strategic sounding board -- the first conversation is always free.

Birmingham, Alabama (Innovation Depot)