The Right Question Can Change Everything: Why CEOs Need More Than a Screwdriver

As a growing Boise business owner, you know how to hustle and work hard. Like a true Idahoan, you have built your company from scratch, made payroll during slow seasons, and managed to keep it all running. But when it comes to understanding your business finances, you’re not alone if your first question is: “Did we make money last month?”

At Executive Allies, we hear this all the time. That question isn’t wrong—it’s just incomplete. It’s like trying to build a house with only a screwdriver.

The truth is, accounting isn't just one tool—it's an entire toolbox, and the key to unlocking that toolbox is knowing what questions to ask. That’s where having a Fractional CFO on your team makes all the difference.

1. From “What’s My Profit?” to “What’s My Growth Path?”

Old question: “Did we make money last month?”
Better question: “Where is my profit coming from—and how do I scale it?”

Construction Case Study:

A Boise-based heavy construction firm was billing regularly but had no insight into project-level profitability or how to burden their overhead with the proper percentage. With our fractional CFO services, we helped them track costs by phase, forecast future cash flow, and identify which types of projects were worth pursuing in the future. That shift allowed them to refocus on more multi-family projects which yielded better margins and fewer payment delays.

Manufacturing Case Study:

A manufacturer came to us and had previously recorded all of the revenue and costs in a single account on their profit and loss statement. After working with them for a few months, we were able to recategorize their chart of accounts to help them identify the revenue and COGS per item which allowed them to identify which product was the most profitable. Once we applied proper cost allocation, it turned out that an unexpected product line carried the highest margins. With data-backed insight, they restructured their production calendar and increased quarterly profits by 12%.

2. Stop Thinking Bookkeeper. Start Thinking Strategist.

Old question: “Are the books balanced?”
Better question: “What story are the numbers telling me—and what should I do next?”

Real Estate Case Study:

A brokerage firm had solid revenue but was run concurrently with a management company that had the same ownership group. After working with this client for 90 days, we were able to fully split the accounting between the two companies and uncover the fact that the brokerage firm had been financial supporting the management company for multiple years. Discovering this information allowed the CEO of the companies to make a strategic decision to cut overhead and restructure the property management group with a clear path to profitability. 

Construction Case Study:

A contractor in Boise had a trusted in-house bookkeeper but needed better financial visibility. We were able to introduce forecasting tools, job costing models, and a cash flow dashboard. The owners no longer have to guess whether they will need to draw from their line of credit or determine whether or not to bid certain jobs; they know.

3. Metrics Matter—But Only the Right Ones

Old question: “Can you send me a report?”
Better question: “What 3-5 metrics actually drive decisions in my business?”

Service Industry Case Study:

In working with a professional services firm, we were tasked with determining meaningful metrics to track for a company that runs on EOS. After onboarding was complete, we had a solid understanding of their operations and their accountability chart. Through our outsourced CFO services, we were able to reframe their financials around billable hours, client-level margin, and utilization rates, using data they were already tracking. This helped them identify gaps in capacity and identify their most successful industry served which helped them increase their operating profit to 11% from 9% in the prior year; all without adding headcount.

4. Avoid the “Tax Time Surprise”

Old question: “What do I owe?”
Better question: “How do I manage taxes year-round and use financials to grow smarter?”

Construction Case Study:

A construction company in the mid-west ran on a cash basis and continually got hit with significant tax bills in April which caused frustration and uncertainty within the ownership group. We transitioned them to accrual accounting, created a tax forecast, and worked with their CPA to plan quarterly payments. In addition to the tax surprises, the cash to accrual adjustments would cause drastic swings in their profitability at the end of each year piling on the uncertainty of how the business was actually performing. Now, there are no surprises—and they’re using real financial data to make decisions on pricing, staffing and future strategy.

5. You Don’t Have to Know What to Ask; You Just Have to Start

Myth: “Once I understand accounting better, I’ll ask smarter questions.”
Truth: You don’t need to know the answers—you need an ally who does.

SaaS plus Manufacturing Case Study:

A start-up founder admitted that their knowledge of accounting was minimal and “I don’t even know what I don’t know”. Over the last 6 months with Executive Allies, our Boise accounting team was able to identify and implement key three improvements in their accounting.

1. Established new payment processing tools to make their internal team more efficient, saving 4-5 hours per week in data entry and payment submission.
2. Developed key workflows in systems that interacted through API connectivity which resulted in a streamlined process to decrease Accounts Receivable from over 120 days to less than 30 days.
3. Performed an economic impact study on potential cost increases due to tariffs which resulted in contingency plans and multiple levers that can be pulled when government decisions are finalized.
   

Ready to Escape the Status Quo?

At Executive Allies, we help you stop reacting and start leading—with clarity, confidence, and numbers you can trust. Whether you run a crew of electricians, manage a 20-person service firm, or own a parts shop in the Treasure Valley, we’re here to help you grow.

We’re not just a Boise accounting firm. We’re your partner in building the business you set out to create.

📅 Book your consultation now
👉 https://www.theexecutiveallies.com/contact

Let’s start asking the right questions—together.