The 7 Scenarios That Call for an Interim CFO

Damian McCarthy
May 23
2 min read

A guide for boards, advisors, lenders, and business owners on when rapid CFO deployment protects enterprise value.

In today’s fast-moving and often unpredictable business environment, having access to trusted, experienced financial leadership—exactly when it's needed—can make the difference between value protection and value loss.

An Interim CFO is not simply a “gap filler” between permanent hires. At Boardroom Bench, we deploy senior finance operators with the judgement, commercial acumen, and operational control to step into complex, high-stakes environments—and deliver.

Here are seven critical moments when engaging an Interim CFO isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

Leadership Vacuum

If a CFO resigns unexpectedly—or is removed during a crisis—businesses cannot afford a vacuum at the helm of finance. Interim CFOs step in immediately to:- Maintain lender, board, and investor confidence; Ensure continuity of financial operations; Lead urgent internal reviews or restructuring assessments.

Restructuring or Financial Distress

During times of cash flow stress, covenant pressure, or insolvency risk, businesses require finance leadership that can:- Lead scenario modelling and 13-week cash forecasts; Manage creditor and stakeholder communications; Support restructuring teams; and Stabilise governance and reporting under stress.

Sale Preparation or M&A Activity

When preparing a business for sale, recapitalisation, or acquisition, experienced CFOs are critical to:- Establish data room readiness and investor confidence; Lead financial due diligence processes; Identify and implement value uplift levers; Support strategic negotiations from a finance-first lens.

Post-Acquisition Integration

After a transaction closes, financial integration and reporting requirements escalate—often without adequate internal capability. An Interim CFO can:- Align reporting systems across legacy and new entities; Integrate finance teams and processes; Ensure accurate post-deal performance tracking.

Scaling or Strategic Transformation

High-growth companies, especially founder-led or private equity-backed ventures, frequently outgrow their finance function. A strategic Interim CFO can:- Implement scalable reporting, controls, and team structures; Guide strategic planning, budgeting, and board reporting; Support external capital raises or geographic expansion.

Governance Risk or Compliance Gaps

When internal controls fail or compliance issues arise, a senior finance operator can restore credibility quickly. They:- Review and redesign governance frameworks; Rebuild confidence with regulators, lenders, or auditors; Implement system controls and risk mitigation procedures.

Stakeholder Confidence Recovery

Lenders, investors, and boards often demand credible finance leadership in times of uncertainty. Appointing a respected Interim CFO can:- Reassure external parties through experienced representation; Deliver critical communications and board-level transparency; Build alignment among internal and external stakeholders

Why Boardroom Bench? We don’t source candidates—we deploy trusted, hand-selected CFOs who have operated in high-pressure roles and are backed by active oversight throughout each engagement. Whether you're navigating uncertainty, transition, or growth, we help you access leadership that delivers outcomes—without delay.