For CPAs · Attorneys · Bankers · Advisors

A CFO You Can Send Clients To.

Your clients need CFO-level financial leadership that you're not positioned to provide. Brett Slade works alongside existing advisors — as a complement, not a competitor.

How This Works

Peer-to-peer. No awkward overlap.

A good referral relationship works because both parties do work the other can't. Brett handles CFO-layer financial work. You handle tax, legal, banking, or wealth strategy. Your client gets the full team they need without the confusion of conflicting advisors.

Brett is a licensed CPA — so he can handle reviewed financials and tax strategy alongside CFO advisory work. But he actively coordinates with existing advisors and doesn't compete for relationships you've built.

The referral process is simple. There's no formal program to join, no contracts to sign. Submit a referral, Brett follows up, you stay in the loop if you want to be.

01
Submit a referral
Use the form below. Give Brett the client's name, situation, and best contact. That's it.
02
Brett follows up directly
He'll reach out to the client within one business day. If you want to be looped in on the intro call, just say so in the form.
03
You stay in the loop
Brett works in a CFO capacity — your tax, legal, or advisory relationship isn't touched. He coordinates with existing advisors, not around them.

Complementary, Not Competitive

Here's Where the Lines Are

For CPAs

Brett doesn't prepare tax returns or compete for audit engagements. He handles CFO-layer work — financial strategy, modeling, reporting, fundraising, and ERC compliance. He sends tax work back to the originating CPA.

For Attorneys

Business structure, transactions, and ownership changes often require both legal and financial expertise. Brett handles the financial modeling, due diligence, and CFO-level analysis. Legal strategy stays with you.

For Bankers and Lenders

Brett helps clients get bank-ready — reviewed financials, cash flow projections, and management reporting that makes credit decisions easier. Better-prepared borrowers benefit your pipeline too.

For Wealth Advisors

Business owner clients need their operating company finances clean before wealth planning can fully work. Brett handles the business-level financial infrastructure; you handle the personal wealth strategy.

Client Fit

What Kind of Clients Are a Good Fit

Revenue range

SMBs between $1M–$20M in revenue — past the startup phase, not yet large enough to justify a full-time CFO.

Major financial decision pending

Capital raise, acquisition, sale, ownership transition, lender review, or significant expansion — decisions that warrant CFO-level analysis.

Unresolved ERC exposure

Clients who filed ERC through third-party shops and are uncertain about their position, or have received IRS correspondence.

Startup founders

Early-stage companies preparing for a fundraise or needing cash flow infrastructure and investor-ready financials.

Books that don't support decisions

Businesses where the accounting is technically compliant but doesn't give leadership the financial clarity to manage well.

Submit a Referral

Ready to Send a Client Over?

Fill out the form with the client's situation and Brett will follow up within one business day. If you want to be part of the intro, just say so.

Prefer email?

contact@essentialcfoservices.com