Best Fractional CFOs in Boston

Best Fractional CFOs in Boston

Boston Area Fractional CFOs
Boston has always been a city where finance meets innovation. From the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill to the biotech labs in Kendall Square, the region pulses with entrepreneurial ambition. But scaling a business in Boston isn’t just about great ideas—it’s about smart financial leadership. That’s where Fractional CFO consultants come in.
Unlike full-time CFOs, fractional consultants give businesses—whether startups, mid-market firms, or family-owned companies—the chance to tap into elite financial expertise without the full-time price tag. And in a city like Boston-Cambridge-Newton, where growth opportunities (and financial challenges) are everywhere, having the right fractional CFO can be the difference between surviving and thriving.
At Digital Reference, we’ve spent months researching, interviewing, and analyzing Boston’s top financial consultants. Our methodology is rooted in data, reputation, and results. We look at:
- Background and credentials
- Track record of results for clients
- Thought leadership and community involvement
- Relevance to Boston’s industries (life sciences, fintech, healthcare, SaaS, and more)
The result? A curated list of Fractional CFO leaders shaping Boston’s financial future in 2025.
Now, let’s dive into the Boston-area professionals making waves this year.
🌟 Meet Boston’s Fractional CMOs Making things Happen
Lou Tarnowsk
President at Summit CFO Services, Inc.
🔗 LinkedIn | Summit CFO Services
When it comes to operational precision and scaling companies with international reach, Lou Tarnowski is a name Boston executives know well. After serving as CFO at Eastern Fisheries—where he managed complex finance operations across multiple continents—Lou launched Summit CFO Services to bring that global experience to Boston’s middle-market companies and fast-growth ventures.
Lou isn’t just a numbers guy—he’s a systems builder. His work is about creating financial infrastructures that stand the test of time: ERP rollouts, cost-accounting frameworks, investor reporting structures, and banking relationships that fuel growth. Boston businesses that partner with him often walk away not only with stronger books, but also with sharper strategies for scaling sustainably.
✨ What makes Lou stand out:
🚀 Global CFO Experience: He’s led financial operations across three continents, giving him a rare perspective in Boston’s mix of global-facing industries.
📊 Systems & Processes: From ERP implementations to cost-accounting strategies, Lou ensures businesses have operational rigor that supports decision-making.
🤝 Trusted Advisor: Known for building strong relationships with management, boards, and banks, Lou is the kind of CFO leaders turn to in high-stakes moments.
For Boston-area companies with big ambitions, Lou is the kind of steady, strategic finance partner who can turn international complexity into actionable clarity.
Jeff Wakely
Chief Financial Officer & Principal / Founder at Deering Advisors LLC
🔗 LinkedIn | 🔗 Deering Advisors
If John Howard is the CFO who helps companies grow, then Jeff Wakely is the one who helps them exit gracefully. With extensive experience in M&A, private equity transactions, and financial restructurings, Jeff has become a trusted name for Boston-area firms preparing for acquisition or transition.
Jeff is known for his calm, detail-oriented approach. He guides leadership teams through some of the most stressful financial moments in a company’s lifecycle—whether that’s negotiating a merger, navigating due diligence, or handling post-acquisition integration.
✨ What makes Jeff Wakely stand out:
📈 M&A Expertise: Jeff has been involved in hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions, bringing both financial and strategic insight.
🧩 Risk Management: He’s skilled at identifying potential red flags in deals, saving companies from costly mistakes.
💡 Board-Level Communication: Jeff is particularly gifted at working with boards, ensuring they have the information and context needed to make tough decisions.
Boston’s thriving biotech and SaaS scenes often lead to acquisitions by larger players. For CEOs heading toward that outcome, Jeff is often the fractional CFO who ensures the transition goes smoothly.
Glenn G. Baker
Founder & Managing Director at Globe Matrix Consulting LLC
Glenn G. Baker is not your typical Boston CFO. With a global career that has taken him from the U.S. to international markets, Glenn brings a systems-based approach to fractional CFO work. As the founder of GlobeMatrix Consulting, he focuses on helping companies streamline operations, improve reporting systems, and prepare for global expansion.
His clients often describe him as a builder. Glenn doesn’t just advise—he creates frameworks, processes, and tools that companies can continue using long after he’s stepped out of the role.
✨ What makes Glenn G. Baker stand out:
🌍 Global Finance Perspective: Having managed financials across borders, Glenn understands the complexities of multi-currency, multi-regulation environments.
⚙️ Systems Implementation: He has helped multiple companies adopt financial software and ERP systems that scale with growth.
🧠 Analytical Depth: Glenn is praised for his ability to connect financial data to operational performance, making him invaluable for companies under pressure to scale sustainably.
In Boston, where many companies are born global (especially in biotech and medtech), Glenn’s international mindset is a powerful differentiator.
Ed Toland
Fractional CFO: E-Commerce, Software & Technology
Ed Toland is one of those rare CFOs who blends hard-nosed financial expertise with a deep commitment to mentoring leadership teams. With decades of experience in Boston and Cambridge, Ed has become a trusted figure for companies in transition—whether restructuring, refinancing, or scaling.
What makes Ed unique is his ability to translate complexity into clarity. CEOs often credit him with breaking down knotty financial structures into clear, actionable steps that empower better decision-making.
✨ What makes Ed Toland stand out:
🧩 Turnaround & Restructuring Work: Ed thrives in high-pressure environments where companies need clarity fast.
🏛️ Local Investor Network: With deep Boston roots, he opens doors to connections that founders often can’t access alone.
📊 Operational Discipline: Ed doesn’t stop at numbers—he digs into operations, ensuring the financial plan matches reality.
In industries like life sciences and healthcare, where timelines are long and funding demands are steep, Ed’s steady leadership has made the difference between projects that stall and projects that thrive.
Anthony Nassaney
Owner, Fractional CFO at Nassaney & Associates
Anthony Nassaney represents a new generation of Boston CFO talent. With a background in both corporate finance and hands-on startup advisory, he has built a niche as the fractional CFO who helps young companies align finance with growth.
Anthony’s approach is forward-looking. Rather than treating finance as a back-office task, he frames it as a strategic driver that empowers growth decisions. Whether a startup is preparing for seed funding or racing toward a Series A, Anthony helps ensure the numbers tell a compelling story.
✨ What makes Anthony Nassaney stand out:
🚀 Startup Expertise: Anthony thrives in Boston’s fast-paced startup ecosystem, guiding founders through the chaos of scaling.
💡 Strategic Growth Lens: Every financial decision is tied back to company goals, ensuring money is spent where it matters most.
📈 Investor-Ready Models: He specializes in building financial models and decks that resonate with VCs and angel investors.
In Boston’s Cambridge startup scene, where hundreds of founders are chasing funding and market traction, Anthony has quickly become one of the most in-demand fractional CFOs.
Wrapping It All Together
Boston isn’t just a city of history—it’s a city of financial futures. From biotech to fintech, SaaS to healthcare, the city thrives on innovation. But behind every bold idea, there’s a financial leader making sure growth is sustainable, investors stay engaged, and operations stay lean.
The professionals we’ve highlighted—John Howard, Jeff Wakely, Glenn G. Baker, Ed Toland, and Anthony Nassaney—are redefining what it means to be a Fractional CFO in Boston. Each brings a unique style, but together they represent the financial backbone of Boston’s startup and growth economy.
Why Digital Reference Curated This List of Fractional CFO Leaders
At Digital Reference, we believe founders and CEOs deserve clarity, not guesswork. That’s why our methodology is rooted in research, vetting, and relevance. We don’t just list names—we highlight professionals who are actually making an impact in the local market.
Boston’s business ecosystem moves fast, but with the right financial leadership, companies can scale smarter. And that’s exactly what these Fractional CFOs are providing in 2025.
To learn more about our mission and how we connect leaders with the right expertise, explore our insights in the following articles:
🏉 Finance Consultants in Boston to Watch
🏄 Merger & Acquisition Consulting Services in the USA
🦅 Investment Consulting Services in the USA
Because at the end of the day, success in Boston isn’t just about great ideas—it’s about the right people guiding those ideas forward. And thanks to this lineup of exceptional Fractional CFO consultants, the city’s financial future looks brighter than ever.
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