At Align, we often say that the best deals happen when business owners are prepared: when their numbers are clear, their operations are systematized, and they understand exactly where they’re making or losing money. That’s why we love working with partners like Basil Cornell of NOW CFO, who helps owners get their financial houses in order long before they enter a transaction.
NOW CFO is a nationwide provider of outsourced CFO, controller, and accounting services, with over 50 locations and consultants in all 50 states. Based in Orlando, Basil leads the firm’s Florida markets, including Jacksonville, Tampa, and South Florida, and supports clients across a wide range of industries and stages of growth.
Why Businesses Call NOW CFO
One of the most common issues Basil and her team see is fragmented financial data. “If clients are living in ‘Excel land’ without centralized systems,” Basil explained, “they’re often flying blind.” A lack of integration between accounting platforms, ERPs, and other operational tools can prevent business owners from seeing basic metrics like unit-level profitability or true cash flow. And in the current market, that kind of opacity can cost more than just money – it can cost a deal.
Basil shared a recent example of a short-term rental business that didn’t realize they were losing money on some of their properties. Only after a more detailed financial analysis did they discover that without visibility into unit-level costs, they were underpricing high-expense locations and eroding margin. That kind of blind spot might not just hurt profitability. It could also turn off a potential acquirer who spots the issue before the seller does.
A Stronger Foundation for M&A
At Align, we help lower-middle-market companies prepare for private equity investment or full sale. But we often meet business owners whose books aren’t quite ready for prime time. That’s where partners like NOW CFO come in. Their outsourced model allows companies to get experienced finance leadership without having to hire a full-time CFO, something especially helpful for growing companies that are still building out their back office.
Basil and her team help clients:
- Centralize financial data and integrate systems
- Implement or optimize ERP platforms for visibility and scalability
- Build accurate forecasts and cash flow models
- Identify operational inefficiencies and pricing gaps
- Clean up reporting ahead of due diligence
All of these things are critical when preparing for a capital raise or sale. Buyers and investors want to see clean, well-organized financials, and they value businesses that can articulate where they’re headed and why. The earlier a company starts that process, the smoother – and more lucrative- the exit can be.
Flexible, Scalable Support
NOW CFO’s model is contract-free and scalable, meaning clients can bring in help for as much or as little time as needed. “It’s like a spigot,” Basil says. “You can turn it up or down depending on where you are and what you need.”
That flexibility also makes NOW CFO a strong partner in both pre-transaction planning and post-transaction integration. Many private equity investors want to see a plan for financial leadership post-close, especially if the founder was wearing multiple hats. NOW CFO can fill that gap with interim or ongoing support.
Proactive Beats Reactive
Basil noted a positive trend in the market: more business owners are reaching out before they hit a crisis point. “We’re seeing people get proactive with their financials,” she says, “wanting to get their ducks in a row before they go to market, raise capital, or make a big strategic move.”
That mindset is exactly what we encourage at Align. The best exits are the result of intentional preparation and the right team around you.
To get in touch with Basil or learn more about NOW CFO, you can reach her at b.cornell@NOWCFO.com or find her on LinkedIn. And if you’re ready to take the next step in exploring partnership or exit options, contact us at Align and we’re happy to chat.