From the numbers to the change
- Your numbers sayMargin has slipped for six quarters while sales hold
- The cause underneathA price concession that became the norm, and one input cost never passed on
- What changesReprice two customer groups, stop one product, tighten discount approval
- What to expectA recovered margin you can see in the monthly accounts
An illustration of how the thinking runs, not a client result.
What a turnaround consultant should actually do
The word covers very different work. At one end is a slide deck of general advice. At the other is a CFO sitting in your numbers every week until the result shows. When you compare turnaround consultants, ask which of these they do:
- Work from your actual accounts, not from industry averages.
- Name a cause and show the data that proves it.
- Rank the changes by their effect on cash.
- Give each change an owner, a date and a measure.
- Stay for the follow-through, not only the report.
How the engagement runs
Read (week 1 to 2).
We take two to three years of accounts, ageing reports, bank statements and the sales register, and read them by month, product and customer.
Find the cause (week 2 to 3).
Each pattern has a short list of suspects. We test them against data and discard those that do not fit.
Plan (week 3 to 4).
A short list of changes in order of cash effect, with owners and measures. A 13-week cash forecast keeps the plan honest.
Run (to day 90 and beyond).
Weekly reviews at first, then monthly. If a number does not move, we return to the cause.
What is different about our approach
| Typical approach | CFOSurge |
|---|---|
| Starts with the problem you describe | Starts with the numbers |
| Recommends from experience of similar firms | Recommends from your data, tested against alternatives |
| Long list of initiatives | Short list, ranked by cash effect |
| Report at the end | CFO beside you through the first 90 days |
Business under pressure? Let a CFO read your numbers.
A senior CFO reads them with you and tells you what is really going on. No cost, no obligation.
When to call
- Margins have been drifting down for several quarters.
- Profit exists on paper but there is never enough cash.
- The bank limit is always full, or the bank has started asking questions.
- You are working harder every year for the same or less money.
- You have already tried a fix and it did not hold.
If you are unsure, the readiness score shows how loudly your numbers are speaking.
Why us
24 Hour Business Turnaround
By Sharad Churiwala and Govindaraju T V, the co-founders of CFOSurge. On finding profit in sales, purchases, working capital, marketing spend and tax.
See the book on Amazon IndiaCFOAvatar complements every turnaround
A human CFO sees your business at the review. Problems do not wait for the meeting. CFOAvatar is connected to your accounting data and checks your numbers every day, so the scoreboard in a turnaround is always current. Ask it what an owner in trouble would ask:
What owners say after the numbers started talking
In production, clear performance measures were introduced. A proper system was set up to collect data from the shop floor, making it easier to track output, idle time, and wastage. This has helped us control costs and improve efficiency.
Their insights led us to monitor margins on a detailed customer-wise and product-wise basis, providing clarity we never had before. Their proactive approach has been instrumental in identifying areas for cost control.
Before CFOSurge came into the picture, our business lacked financial discipline. Once their team started overseeing our finances, everything fell into place. There was accountability and when you know someone is keeping track, you ensure things get done properly. It’s been three years and the systems they put in place are still working well. Our business is in a much better position today.
Quoted word for word from our clients. Read more client words →
Questions owners ask us
What does a business turnaround consultant do?
They diagnose why a business is losing money or cash, design a recovery plan, and help carry it out. The best ones begin with the company's own financial data.
How is a turnaround consultancy different from a normal consultancy?
A turnaround is time-critical and cash-led. It deals with a business under stress and focuses on stabilising cash first, then restoring profit.
How long does a turnaround take?
Stabilising cash can start showing within the first 90 days. Full recovery depends on the cause and the industry. See our guide on how long a turnaround takes.
Do you work with small businesses?
Yes. See our small business turnaround page. The method is the same; the scale of the work differs.
Will you replace our management?
No. We work with your team and give the owner clear information and options. The decisions stay yours.