Best Fractional CFOs in St. Louis

St. Louis Fractional CFOs

St. Louis has long been known as a city of innovators, builders, and problem solvers. From the days of its iconic role as the "Gateway to the West" to its present standing as a hub for healthcare, biotech, financial services, and advanced manufacturing, this Midwestern city has always thrived at the intersection of tradition and transformation. One of the most important forces shaping St. Louis businesses is the rise of Fractional CFO consultants.

For companies that need strategic financial leadership but aren’t yet ready to bring on a full-time CFO, these professionals have become indispensable. They help growing firms navigate financial modeling, capital raising, cash flow management, and mergers with the same precision as their full-time counterparts. 

At Digital Reference, our mission is to help connect decision-makers with top-tier talent in their cities. Our methodology for curating these lists involves extensive research, evaluation of LinkedIn profiles, analysis of firm websites, and conversations within industry networks.

Let’s meet the standout professionals in St. Louis who are shaping the future of fractional finance.

Methodology - Finding These St. Louis Fractional CFOs

To build this list of standout St. Louis fractional CFO consultants, we combined several approaches:

• 🔍 LinkedIn review: Studying career paths, networks, and specific project highlights.
• 🔍 Website evaluation: Understanding the services they emphasize and the industries they cater to.
• 🔍 Local market knowledge: Looking at who’s actively engaged in the St. Louis business community, from speaking engagements to nonprofit board work.
• 🔍 Track record: Highlighting professionals who consistently deliver measurable results for clients — whether in raising capital, restructuring operations, or steering companies through acquisitions.

🌟 Meet the leading fCFOs making a difference in St. Louis’s financial landscape:

♦️ Tim Wood 

Fractional CFO at Aspire CFO, LLC

🔗 LinkedIn | Aspire CFO

Tim Wood is one of the most recognizable names in St. Louis’s fractional CFO scene. As the founder of Aspire CFO, Tim has built a boutique consulting practice that works closely with growth-oriented businesses. His philosophy is rooted in helping owners make data-driven decisions while still keeping an eye on the human side of leadership.

Tim’s impact is clear in the way Aspire CFO positions itself: not just as accountants, but as strategic partners. He blends traditional financial oversight with operational insight, making sure that financial metrics are directly connected to business outcomes.

⭐ Highlights of Tim’s approach:

🔍 Helping small and mid-sized businesses prepare for capital raises by building investor-ready financial models.

🔍 Deep experience guiding firms through strategic planning and budgeting, ensuring that long-term goals are aligned with financial realities.

🔍 Strong reputation for working collaboratively with owners and leadership teams to improve both efficiency and morale.

Clients often describe Tim as someone who can take the chaos out of financial operations. By offering tailored solutions rather than cookie-cutter advice, he’s built long-lasting relationships in St. Louis’s tight-knit business community.

♦️ James Bierman

Founder & Fractional CFO/COO at VisionPath Consulting

🔗 LinkedIn

James Bierman has a track record that speaks volumes. His expertise lies in guiding early-stage and growth companies through the complexities of scaling up, particularly when financial controls and reporting structures need to catch up with rapid growth.

James has held multiple finance leadership positions across industries, which gives him an edge in fractional consulting. He can easily adapt his strategies whether he’s working with a healthcare startup, a SaaS business, or a traditional manufacturing firm in the St. Louis metro.

⭐ Highlights of James’s approach:

🔍Specializes in growth-stage financial leadership, ensuring companies don’t just expand, but do so sustainably.

🔍Skilled in financial reporting and audit preparation, helping businesses remain compliant and investor-ready.

🔍 Known for implementing systems that streamline financial processes, reducing inefficiencies that often plague scaling companies.

What makes James stand out is his ability to anticipate the pain points growing businesses will face. Instead of reacting to financial issues, he positions his clients ahead of the curve.

♦️ Brett Park

Director of CFO Services at Power CFO

🔗 LinkedIn

Brett Park is the kind of CFO who thrives on problem-solving in complex environments. With years of experience across both corporate finance and hands-on consulting, Brett has carved out a reputation for being a fixer: someone who can step into a troubled financial situation and chart a clear path forward.

His consulting work emphasizes turnarounds and restructuring, making him a valuable resource for businesses navigating difficult transitions. For many St. Louis companies, especially those hit hard by shifting markets or pandemic-era disruptions, Brett’s ability to restructure and stabilize is crucial.

⭐ Highlights of Brett’s approach:

🔍 Expertise in turnarounds and restructurings, often stepping in during critical moments.

🔍 Skilled at cost management and operational efficiency, helping businesses weather economic uncertainty.

🔍Strong track record of returning companies to growth trajectories after periods of instability.

Brett’s pragmatic, roll-up-your-sleeves style makes him especially appealing to owners who want not just advice but real, actionable solutions.

♦️ Ed Vandeven 

Founder, President and Fractional CFO at Vandeven Executive Accounting Services

🔗 LinkedIn | website

With more than 30 years of financial leadership, Ed Vandeven brings deep expertise to his fractional CFO practice. As the founder of Vandeven CFO Services, he focuses on giving business owners clarity in their financial strategy, with particular strength in cash flow forecasting, succession planning, and financial analysis.

Ed’s approach is very relationship-driven. He’s known for working side by side with clients, making sure that financial strategies are not just well-documented but also well-understood by owners and teams.

⭐ Highlights of Ed’s approach:

🔍 Strong focus on cash flow management, helping businesses avoid surprises and stay resilient.

🔍 Passionate about succession planning for family-owned businesses in St. Louis.

🔍 Expertise in forecasting and strategic planning, ensuring companies can plan for growth while mitigating risks.

Many of Ed’s clients emphasize how approachable and communicative he is — qualities that make financial strategy more accessible to leaders who may not come from finance backgrounds.

♦️ John Slattery

Managing Partner and Fractional CFO Executive at Fairway Advisors

🔗 LinkedIn

John Slattery’s career spans corporate finance leadership roles and consulting, giving him a unique blend of big-picture strategy and hands-on execution. His fractional CFO work is particularly focused on strategic growth and operational finance.

John’s clients appreciate his ability to translate complicated financial data into clear, actionable strategies. He’s known for building dashboards and reporting structures that allow owners to see exactly how their decisions affect the bottom line.

⭐ Highlights of John’s approach:

🔍 Expert at building financial dashboards that turn raw data into real-time decision tools.

🔍 Helps companies prepare for growth and expansion, especially in competitive industries.

🔍 Known for aligning finance teams with operational leaders, ensuring strategy is cohesive across the business.

John’s mix of analytical skills and communication strength makes him a valuable resource for St. Louis business owners who want clarity without the jargon.

Wrapping It Up: St. Louis’s Fractional CFO Landscape

The professionals highlighted here — from Tim Wood’s strategic, partnership-driven model at Aspire CFO to John Slattery’s data-focused leadership — reflect the depth and diversity of St. Louis’s fractional CFO community. Each of them brings unique strengths, but all share one core quality: they’re committed to helping St. Louis businesses thrive.

Fractional CFOs in St. Louis are more than just consultants. They’re partners in growth, turnaround specialists, and advisors who connect local businesses to global opportunities. They understand not just financial strategy but also the culture and ecosystem of the Midwest.

At Digital Reference, we believe in the power of showcasing talent like this. We believe that the traditional hiring and networking experience is often opaque and outdated. Our platform addresses this by introducing radical transparency—through video-first formats and verified data which elevate authenticity in every profile.

As businesses in St. Louis continue to evolve, the guidance of experienced fractional CFOs will be more essential than ever. And at Digital Reference, we’re here to make sure you know exactly who those leaders are.

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