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Best Fractional CFOs in Toronto
Toronto Fractional CFO Services
Toronto has always been known as the financial heartbeat of Canada. With Bay Street anchoring the city’s global reputation, it’s no surprise that Toronto has become a magnet for startups, scale-ups, and established enterprises alike. From fintech disruptors and SaaS innovators to real estate developers and non-profits, the city thrives on entrepreneurial ambition.
But while passion fuels these ventures, one ingredient is often overlooked: financial clarity and leadership. That’s where Fractional CFOs come in.
These professionals offer the strategic insight of a full-time CFO without the overhead of a permanent hire. They help startups raise capital, guide scale-ups through growth pains, and assist mature businesses with restructuring and transformation. In a city like Toronto, where opportunity moves fast, the demand for part-time or project-based CFO leadership has never been greater.
At Digital Reference, we pride ourselves on highlighting the consultants who truly make a difference. Our methodology is research-driven, blending:
- Analysis of career achievements and specialties
- Review of LinkedIn profiles, websites, and published insights
- Evaluation of their impact on the Toronto business ecosystem
This isn’t a generic list — it’s a carefully curated selection of professionals shaping finance in 2025. And as part of our unique positioning, we connect these insights to the broader themes of leadership, strategy, and innovation.
🌟 Meet Toronto’s Fractional CFOs Making things Happen
🔶 Rich Zhou
Founder and CEO, Aquifer CFO
Rich Zhou is a Toronto-based Fractional CFO and finance leader with a proven record in strategic growth, FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis), and operational transformation. His work positions him at the intersection of analytics and leadership, making him a go-to consultant for startups and scale-ups alike.
What sets Rich apart is his ability to simplify financial complexity. Leaders often struggle with forecasting, fundraising, or interpreting data in a way that supports real decision-making. Rich excels at translating numbers into strategic insights that boards, investors, and leadership teams can trust.
Highlights of Rich’s approach:
📈 Fundraising Expertise – Assists startups with building investor-ready financial models that inspire confidence.
🛠 Operational Finance – Works with growing companies to build systems that scale alongside the business, avoiding the common “outgrow your process” trap.
🤝 Collaborative Partner – Known for working closely with founders to align financial planning with vision and goals.
🔮 Predictive Analysis – Brings advanced FP&A to the table, ensuring leaders don’t just know where they are, but where they’re headed.
🌐 Toronto Ecosystem Knowledge – Deeply connected to the city’s financial and startup landscape, giving him an edge in local fundraising and partnerships.
Rich’s style is particularly well-suited for founders who need clarity in complexity. Whether preparing for a Series A round or restructuring finances for scale, his work ensures businesses don’t just survive growth — they thrive in it.
🔶 Robert Cinapri
Founder and CEO, CFO Collective
Robert Cinapri is a seasoned financial leader and Fractional CFO who brings both depth and breadth to Toronto’s financial consulting landscape. With decades of executive experience, Robert has become known as the consultant you call when the stakes are high and precision is non-negotiable.
Robert’s background reflects a blend of corporate leadership and advisory expertise, having worked across industries from manufacturing to technology. This breadth enables him to approach challenges with both technical mastery and strategic foresight.
Key elements of Robert’s value:
🏢 Boardroom Presence – Brings a trusted executive voice to leadership teams navigating growth or transition.
🔄 Turnaround and Transformation – Skilled in guiding organizations through financial restructuring or shifts in business models.
📊 Performance Metrics Focus – Known for creating systems that measure what actually matters, ensuring data aligns with strategic goals.
💼 M&A Experience – Adept at handling mergers, acquisitions, and due diligence, all critical in Toronto’s competitive business climate.
🤝 Collaborative Leadership – A hands-on partner for CEOs who value steady, pragmatic advice.
Robert is often described as “the steady hand in turbulent waters.” For companies under pressure — whether from investors, market conditions, or rapid growth — Robert provides not just numbers but confidence and direction. His consulting style ensures organizations remain grounded, even while chasing ambitious goals.
🔶 Matteo Muia
CEO & Founder, Muia Consulting
Matteo Muia, founder of Muia Consulting, is a Toronto-based Fractional CFO with a focus on transformation and growth enablement. With years of experience building financial systems that align with business strategy, Matteo has carved out a reputation as a problem-solver for ambitious companies.
What makes Matteo unique is his entrepreneurial mindset. He doesn’t just plug into existing structures; he often rebuilds systems from the ground up, ensuring companies have the financial infrastructure needed to support scaling.
Key aspects of Matteo’s work:
🚀 Scale-Up Specialist – Ideal for fast-growing startups that need to upgrade financial systems quickly.
🛠 Infrastructure Builder – Known for implementing ERP systems, budgeting workflows, and data dashboards.
📈 Growth-Focused Strategy – Provides leaders with forward-looking insights that align financial planning with growth objectives.
🌍 International Readiness – Prepares Toronto-based businesses for cross-border expansion, an increasingly relevant skillset in 2025.
🤝 Founder-Friendly Partner – Works closely with leadership to ensure solutions are both practical and sustainable.
Matteo thrives in situations where companies feel limited by their current financial tools. His work unlocks growth by providing the kind of financial clarity and infrastructure that gives founders confidence to scale.
🔶 Susan Williams-Malik
President and Part-time CFO, Clear Insight Consulting
Susan Williams-Malik is a finance professional who combines corporate strategy with a human touch. Through her work at Clear Insight Consulting, she has become known for building financial systems that don’t just keep companies afloat — they empower them to reach new levels of sustainability and growth.
Her experience spans startups, nonprofits, and established companies, making her an adaptable leader in Toronto’s diverse business ecosystem. She is especially skilled at integrating financial systems with organizational strategy, ensuring CFO-level leadership is always aligned with mission and goals.
Key achievements and strengths:
🌟 Holistic Financial Leadership – Aligns finance with organizational purpose, ensuring strategy and numbers go hand-in-hand.
💬 Accessible Communication – Excels at translating financial data into actionable insights for non-financial leaders.
🔍 Process Optimization – Streamlines reporting and budgeting systems to save companies both time and money.
👩💻 Tech-Savvy Solutions – Advocates for financial technologies that improve accuracy and efficiency.
🌍 Social Impact Experience – Helps mission-driven organizations balance impact with fiscal responsibility.
Susan is a great fit for organizations in transition — scaling quickly, restructuring, or preparing for investment. She provides the kind of clarity and reassurance that makes leadership teams feel equipped for growth.
🔶 Hussain Abbas
Founder, CPA Logic
Hussain Abbas represents the next generation of Fractional CFOs in Toronto. With strong expertise in corporate finance, FP&A, and growth strategy, Hussain combines analytical rigor with adaptability.
He is particularly skilled in building robust financial models and forecasting systems, which make him invaluable for companies preparing for fundraising rounds, scaling, or cross-border expansion.
Highlights of Hussain’s expertise:
📊 Deep FP&A Knowledge – Builds sophisticated forecasting models to anticipate risks and opportunities.
🔄 Scalable Systems – Designs financial processes that evolve with growth, preventing operational bottlenecks.
🚀 Hybrid Experience – Brings perspective from both corporate finance and startup environments.
🤝 Collaborative Approach – Works well across departments, making finance accessible for entire leadership teams.
🌐 Global Perspective – Skilled at navigating Toronto’s increasingly international financial networks.
For Toronto businesses in 2025, Hussain represents the forward-looking CFO model: one who doesn’t just report the numbers but actively shapes the strategic path forward.
Wrapping It Up: Why Fractional CFOs and Why Toronto?
Toronto is a city that thrives on ambition — but ambition needs financial clarity. These five professionals — Rich Zhou, Robert Cinapri, Matteo Muia, Susan Williams-Malik, and Hussain Abbas — represent the best of Toronto’s Fractional CFO talent.
Each brings something unique:
- Rich: The strategist
- Robert: The steady hand
- Matteo: The infrastructure builder
- Susan: The holistic leader
- Hussain: The data-driven innovator
Together, they embody what makes Toronto’s consulting landscape so dynamic.
Why Digital Reference?
At Digital Reference, our goal is simple: to be your trusted partner in discovering the consultants and executives who matter most. We combine research, evaluation, and storytelling to shine a light on professionals shaping the future of business.
We’re not about generic lists — we’re about curated insights. That’s why leaders across industries trust our work: because we take the time to understand who these consultants are, what they’ve accomplished, and how they can truly impact your business.
Toronto’s demand for Fractional CFOs will only rise in 2025, and we’ll be here to help you navigate this evolving space. Whether you’re a founder, a CEO, or an investor, you can rely on us to deliver clarity, insight, and direction.
👉 Ready to learn more? Explore our resources on Top Outsourced & Fractional CFO Agencies in Canada and Finance Consultants in Toronto to Watch.
👉 If you’re new to the concept of fractional leadership, we recommend starting with our resource on Finance Executives & What They Do. A great foundation for understanding why this flexible model is on the rise.
Stay connected with Digital Reference as we continue to spotlight the leaders shaping Canada’s business future.
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