Tips & Advice for Becoming a High-Growth Company

Working with G-Squared Partners: Frequently Asked Questions

Written by Gene Godick | September, 18, 2024

As a business owner or executive considering G-Squared Partners for financial management services, you likely have questions about the experience working with us. Whether you’re looking for strategic-level outsourced CFO services or need help preparing to sell your business, it’s understandable to want to gather as much information as possible.

Before you commit to a new partner, you need to understand their principles and how they approach their work. That’s why we've compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions we hear from prospective clients. Our goal is to help you understand how we work, from the way we structure our rates to the makeup of the team that will service your business.

How Does G-Squared Partners Charge for Services?

At G-Squared Partners, we believe in transparency and fairness when it comes to billing. Our pricing model is designed to provide clarity while accommodating the diverse needs of our clients.

For services with a predictable scope, such as closing the books, processing accounts payable and receivable, payroll processing, and preparing financial statements, we typically charge a fixed fee. This approach allows our clients to budget effectively for these essential financial tasks. Of course, if your company experiences significant growth, our fees tend to increase in proportion to reflect the additional work required.

For tasks where the scope can vary significantly or where multiple iterations are common, such as building financial models or creating pro forma cap tables, we bill on an hourly basis. This ensures that you only pay for the time actually spent on your specific needs.

Some occasional tasks, like board meetings or audit support, might be included in the fixed fee or billed hourly, depending on the agreement. Most invoices are hybrid, combining fixed fees with hourly charges for out-of-scope work.

Our engagement letter clearly spells out the fee structure, and we strive to educate our clients throughout the process to make sure that no invoice ever comes as a surprise, and that our clients feel confident in the value our team delivers.

Who Will Be on My Team?

Understanding your G-Squared Partners team structure is crucial for effective collaboration.

Here's how we typically organize our client teams:

    • We have three Managing Directors who serve as CFO-level leaders for our clients. You'll meet your assigned Managing Director during the initial onboarding process.
    • Our seven directors typically function as a VP of Finance or Controller for your business. They play a crucial role in overseeing your day-to-day financial operations.
    • We'll assign associates and senior associates to your account after we kick off our relationship. These team members handle day-to-day tasks and are often praised by clients for their responsiveness and problem-solving skills.

While we introduce you to your entire team, we find that clients naturally gravitate towards specific team members as their primary points of contact. This organic process ensures you're comfortable with your main liaison at G-Squared.

How Often Will I Hear From You?

The frequency of communication varies based on client preferences. Some clients prefer minimal contact and only reach out when necessary, while others desire more frequent interaction, with regular updates and discussions about ongoing projects.

For example, we might speak with one client on a biweekly cadence. Others we have weekly meetings with, others may request heavy involvement, including regular meetings and board meeting participation.

It really depends on the client’s preference and the needs of the project: just know that we’re committed to doing whatever works best for you. Regardless of meeting cadence, we adapt our communication style to meet your preferences, ensuring you receive the support you need.

How Does G-Squared Partners Approach Tasks and Meetings?

At G-Squared, we prioritize accomplishing tasks over adhering to a rigid meeting schedule. We believe that the focus should be on what needs to be done rather than simply having meetings for the sake of it. This approach allows us to be more efficient and responsive to your needs.

We encourage clients to think in terms of tasks and what needs to be accomplished, rather than fixed meeting schedules. Our goal is to find the best way to get things done while keeping fees as efficient as possible for the client.

Do You Do Taxes?

At G-Squared Partners, we focus on providing outsourced accounting, bookkeeping, and CFO services. While we don't prepare taxes ourselves, our goal is to make sure you’re well-prepared for a tax professional to handle this critical aspect of your financial management efficiently and professionally.

To that end, we have strong working relationships with reputable tax firms. This allows us to offer a seamless experience when it comes to your tax needs.

Are You An Auditor?

No, G-Squared Partners does not conduct audits. As your financial management partner, we cannot audit our own work due to independence requirements. However, we play a crucial role in supporting your audit process:

  1. Audit Preparation: We can help you prepare for an audit by ensuring your financial records are accurate, complete, and well-organized. This can significantly streamline the audit process, saving you time and money.
  2. Auditor Selection: If you need an auditor, we can assist you in selecting a firm that fits your specific needs and industry requirements. Our extensive network in the financial sector allows us to recommend qualified auditors.
  3. Audit Support: During the audit process, we act as a liaison between your company and the auditors. We can:
    • Provide the necessary financial documents and explanations
    • Respond to auditors' inquiries
    • Help interpret audit findings and recommendations
  4. Post-Audit Improvements: After the audit, we can help implement any recommended changes to improve your financial processes and controls.

While we're not auditors ourselves, our deep understanding of your financial operations positions us to make the audit process as smooth and beneficial as possible for your business. Our goal is to ensure that you're always audit-ready and that the audit process adds value to your organization.

G-Squared Partners: Your Financial Partner

At G-Squared Partners, we're more than just a service provider – we're your financial partner. Our flexible approach, transparent billing, and commitment to quality ensure that you receive the support you need to drive your business forward.

Whether you're a startup looking for comprehensive financial management or an established company seeking to optimize your financial operations, G-Squared Partners is here to help. Contact us today to discover how our tailored solutions can benefit your business.