Bringing peace and clarity to your financial world

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Every engagement is set out in a written fee agreement, priced to the work your business or household needs, before any work begins.

Sample

Client Services & Fee Agreement

A sample of our standard agreement. Fees are filled in for each client after a free, no-obligation 30-minute call.

This Client Services & Fee Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into on (the "Effective Date") between McBride CFO ("McBride CFO," "we" or "us") and ("Client" or "you").

1. Services

We will provide the fractional CFO, accounting and financial advisory services described in Schedule A (the "Services"). Any change in scope will be agreed in writing, which may be by email.

2. Fees

You agree to pay the fee for each service level selected below:

SelectService levelMonthly feeHourly rateAfter (hrs / month)Project fee
Personal Finance$$ hrs—
Bookkeeper$$ hrs—
Controller$$ hrs—
CFO$$ hrs$

Schedule A lists the specific tasks included in this engagement, each categorized by service level.

3. Invoicing & Payment

Retainers are billed in advance on the first of each month. Hourly and project work is billed monthly in arrears. Invoices are due within 10 days. Reasonable, pre-approved out-of-pocket expenses are billed at cost. Unpaid balances more than 30 days past due may accrue interest at 1% per month, and we may pause work until the account is current.

4. Term & Termination

This Agreement begins on the Effective Date and continues month to month. Either party may end it with 30 days' written notice. You will pay for Services performed through the termination date.

5. Your Responsibilities

You will provide timely access to the records, systems and people we need, and you are responsible for the accuracy of the information you provide. You remain responsible for all management decisions, including approving transactions and filing any returns or reports.

6. Scope Limits

Our Services do not include audits, reviews or other attest services, tax return preparation, legal advice or investment advice. We will coordinate with your CPA, attorney and financial advisor as needed.

7. Confidentiality

We will keep your information confidential and use it only to provide the Services, except as required by law or with your consent. This obligation continues after this Agreement ends.

8. Work Product

Reports, forecasts and other deliverables prepared for you are yours to use once paid for. We keep the right to use our general methods, templates and know-how.

9. Independent Contractor

We are an independent contractor, not an employee, partner or agent of Client.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the extent permitted by law, our total liability under this Agreement will not exceed the fees you paid in the three months before the claim arose, and neither party is liable for indirect or consequential damages.

11. Governing Law & Disputes

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Colorado. The parties will first try to resolve any dispute through good-faith discussion and, if needed, mediation in Denver, Colorado. Any lawsuit will be brought in the state courts located in the City and County of Denver, Colorado.

12. Entire Agreement

This Agreement, including Schedule A, is the entire agreement between the parties and replaces any prior discussions. Changes must be in writing and signed or confirmed by email by both parties. Electronic signatures are valid.

McBride CFOSusan McBride, FounderDate
ClientName and titleDate

This sample is for illustration only. Your actual agreement will reflect the services and fees agreed for your engagement.

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Attached to the Client Services & Fee Agreement

Schedule A: Scope of Services

Check each service level and task included in this engagement. Use the blank lines to add tasks specific to your situation.

Client:   Effective Date:

Personal Finance

  • Auto-pay set-up and management
  • Household books, reconciled to every statement
  • Simple monthly summary of results
  • Budget preparation and monthly review
  • Catch-up cleanup of prior records
  • CPA and financial advisor coordination
  • Long-term care insurance claims processing
  • Runway projections and what-if scenarios
  • Advocacy with vendors on billing errors or disputes

Additional tasks:

Bookkeeper

  • Recording and coding transactions
  • Bank and credit card reconciliations
  • Bill entry and payment scheduling
  • Customer invoicing and collections follow-up
  • Auto-pay set-up and management
  • Payroll coordination
  • Receipt and document management

Additional tasks:

Controller

  • Month-end close and close calendar
  • Balance sheet account reconciliations
  • Monthly financial statements and reporting package
  • Budget preparation and budget-versus-actual reviews
  • Internal controls design and review
  • Accounting clean-up projects
  • CPA, tax and audit coordination
  • Accounting system set-up and improvements

Additional tasks:

CFO

  • 13-week and 12-month cash flow forecasting
  • Pricing, margin and profitability analysis
  • Lender and investor reporting; covenant tracking
  • Strategic planning and scenario models
  • KPI benchmarking with ProfitCents
  • Exit and succession target planning
  • AI, automation and change management
  • Leadership and board meeting participation

Additional tasks:

Tax return preparation is not included, though we work closely with your CPA and tax preparer.