If you've heard the term "fractional CFO" or "fractional controller" thrown around and thought "What does that even mean?"—you're not alone.

The fractional services model has exploded in popularity over the past few years, particularly in finance and accounting. But there's still confusion about what it actually means, how it works, and whether it's right for your business.

Let's clear that up.

Most growing companies treat their budget like an annual checkbox. Then wonder why they're scrambling mid-year when reality doesn't match the spreadsheet.

Your budget should be a performance tool—built from strategy, stress-tested for reality, and designed to evolve as your business does.

We broke down the 5 most common budgeting mistakes we see in PE-backed and growth-stage companies, and what to do instead.

Because precision isn't just about getting the numbers right. It's about making better decisions, faster.