The CFO First-90-Days Playbook

Weeks 1–2: diagnose

Audit the last three closes for accuracy and timeliness. Pull the current 13-week cash forecast. Interview the CEO, controller, and each functional lead. Deliverable: a one-page finance health scorecard.

Weeks 3–6: rebuild the forecast

Rebuild the operating model bottoms-up. Reconcile to actuals. Ship a rolling 13-week cash forecast updated weekly. Ship a quarterly reforecast tied to the operating model.

Weeks 7–12: board narrative

Build the board deck template. Own the numbers section. Establish monthly board pack cadence. Ship the fundraising narrative if a raise is in the next 9 months.

Red flags to escalate week one

• Runway under 9 months and no raise plan
• Revenue recognition inconsistent with contracts
• Unmanaged foreign entity or transfer pricing