If you own a business, you no doubt already know how strenuous the task of managing a company’s finances can be. While it’s possible to hire a dedicated in-house staff member to take over this burden, a growing number of companies are finding it more affordable and reliable to outsource their financial management. 

There are now many virtual CFO and accounting services that you can use. A Business Manager is one of these specialized services that may already be on your radar. In this review, we’ll take a deep dive into this company to determine if they are the right option for you.

What is A Business Manager?

A Business Manager is a US-based company that provides strategic virtual CFO and fractional accounting services. They’ve been in operation for over two decades and have worked with a plethora of service-based companies in a variety of industries. 

They claim to stand out from other companies by putting a focus on forward looking results, using technology-driven financial reporting and analysis to predict outcomes. They also state that 90% of businesses they have worked with have seen growth in 12 months – an impressive and encouraging stat!

Being a virtual service means that they’re able to work remotely with companies across the US. This might not suit companies who prefer to communicate with consultants in person, but in this increasingly fast-paced digital world, virtual financial services are becoming much more convenient for many of us.

A breakdown of their services

The financial services provided by A Business Manager are pretty comprehensive. They include the following services:

Virtual CFO

Their bread and butter is their virtual CFO service. This essentially involves outsourcing financial reporting, forecasting, budgeting, strategic planning and risk management. A Business Manager is essentially able to take over the role of a traditional chief financial officer and manage your money for you – a step beyond basic accounting. They have a dedicated team for this service with a lot of experience.

Accounting

You can also use A Business Manager to carry out accounting tasks like managing your payroll and preparing taxes. The company claims to work with every major accounting/ERP  solution. They offer a variety of plans at different price points depending on the size and complexity of your business.  

Bookkeeping

A Business Manager can also take over daily record keeping and approval of transactions. This bookkeeping is integrated into their accounting service. 

Which businesses do they cater to?

A Business Manager is not just catered to large established businesses – they also work with smaller businesses including startups. If you need help getting your business off the ground and setting up all your financials, they can assist with this. Alternatively, if you’re running a large corporation, they also have the talent and resources to handle your finances efficiently.

It seems as if they’ve worked with all kinds of industries in the past – the ‘About Us’ section on their website lists a huge variety of sectors from construction to marketing to pharmaceuticals. It’s mostly service-based businesses, however they have also worked with clothing and footwear companies. 

What are their credentials and experience?

Established in 2001, A Business Manager has a lot of skin in the game. They state that each of their team members has at least 10 years experience in accounting and business finance. 

So, if you’re looking for a company that has a lot of experience that you can put your trust in, A Business Manager is certainly a good choice. On top of this, they’ve got some very positive reviews to back all this up.

How easy are they to work with?

It’s important to find a company that is easy to work with and A Business Manager does try to make things as straightforward as possible. Getting hold of them is easy and they have lots of useful information on their website. Once you’ve signed up, they’ll provide you with constant reports and arrange regular meetings.

They seem to be a very adaptable company in that they will go at your pace – for example, in terms of meetings, you can choose between weekly, bi-weekly or monthly communication. They also use the technology that you already have in place, rather than pressuring you to switch to specific software, which is very convenient. 

What is their pricing like?

A Business Manager currently offers a variety of accounting plans to suit different budgets ranging from Startup ($200/month) to Enterprise ($1300/month). Their virtual CFO service is on a quote-only basis. Expect to pay a bit more than you would for their accounting service.

Small companies might find their pricing a bit of a stretch, but they’re otherwise pretty good value if you’re a fair-sized business. You are paying for a team – those looking for something cheaper may want to consider a freelance virtual accountant. 

So, should you use A Business Manager?

Most companies can benefit from choosing A Business Manager for outsourcing financial tasks to. They’re suitable for businesses of all sizes and also work with a range of different industries. You get to choose from a range of different price plans and they’re likely to already be familiar with the software that you use. 

Those who are looking to outsource a CFO service that can help them financially strategize could particularly benefit from their service, as this is where they shine. Their use of advanced analysis and reporting tools gives you access to valuable data that other companies may not be able to give you and they do seem to be dedicated to helping businesses grow.

You may want to steer clear of them if you’re looking for a financial consulting company you can have in-person meetings with (a local company may be a better choice in this case). Their CFO service may also be out of some companies’ price range, but their Startup accounting service may still be in budget. You may find cheaper services out there, but for the same level of expertise and quality, don’t expect too many options.