Phil Nahajewski
Owners of established businesses and startups benefit from experienced financial leadership to develop strategies, plans, processes and the human factors that drive successful performance.
My work with clients to successfully meet their challenges focuses on helping them with:
- Strategic planning and execution
- Financial performance improvement
- Finance and accounting staff development
- Business process improvement
- Coaching and mentoring
I bring over 35 years of CFO leadership across multi-billion-dollar corporations, tech startups, non-profits, and owner-led businesses. For the past decade, I have served as a fractional CFO to growth-minded SMBs, and today operate as an AI-native CFO—combining financial judgment, strategic clarity, and intelligent automation.
My approach is grounded in what I call the Seven Layer CFO—a practical framework built from lived experience, not theory. Each layer informs how I help entrepreneurs create clarity, confidence, and cash flow while building businesses that are more valuable, resilient, and scalable.
My Seven Layer CFO Framework
1. The Corporate Layer
With 32 years in multi-billion-dollar corporations including Burroughs, Unisys, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks, I learned world-class financial discipline, governance, and operating rigor. Just as important, I learned which corporate practices do not belong in entrepreneurial businesses—and how to adapt the right ones without crushing agility.
2. The Nonprofit Layer
For over three decades, I have served as a board member and CFO for mission-driven organizations. This layer shaped my ability to do more with less, stay grounded in purpose, and apply resourcefulness and mission clarity to the SMBs I serve.
3. The Tech Startup Layer
Twelve years ago, I caught the tech startup bug. Immersed in innovation and rapid iteration, I learned how to bring speed, experimentation, and adaptability into environments that traditionally resist change—without sacrificing financial control.
4. The Entrepreneurial Layer
For the past ten years, I have served as the fractional CFO for 5–10 SMBs annually, working directly with founders and CEOs. This layer is where strategy meets reality—helping owners improve cash flow, strengthen decision-making, and increase enterprise value.
5. The CFO Partner Layer
I am a long-standing partner in the Florida CFO Group, an elite brain trust of experienced CFOs. This collaboration ensures clients benefit not just from one perspective, but from shared insight, peer challenge, and proven best practices.
6. The Enlightened Fractional Layer
Recognizing that no CFO succeeds alone, I have built a trusted ecosystem of fractional leaders across operations, sales and marketing, HR, technology, and finance. Clients gain access to the right expertise at the right time—without full-time overhead.
7. The AI Layer
I invested deeply in AI and intelligent automation, building a team of AI agents that automate recurring work and amplify his CFO capabilities. The result: faster insights, cleaner data, and more time focused on strategic decisions that actually move the business forward.
Beyond the Numbers
My strength lies not just in experience, but in how I communicate and challenge thinking. I was a contributor to The E-Myth Evolution by Michael Gerber and the host of the CFO Coffee Talk podcast, where I explores how AI is reshaping the future of finance leadership.
Clients value my ability to simplify complexity, surface blind spots, and bring both rigor and humanity to the CFO role.
I joined the Florida CFO Group in 2019. I earned an MBA in finance from the University of Detroit. I have served on several non-profit boards and volunteer in several mentoring programs including the Camaraderie Foundation (for transitioning veterans), UCF’s College of Business, and the JA Academy of Entrepreneurship and Leadership.
Professional experience: Leadership, Strategy, Management, Contract Negotiation, Team Building, Executive Management, Strategic Partnerships, Mergers and Acquisitions, Strategic Planning, Process Improvement, Analysis, Budgets, Project Management, Start-ups, Forecasting, Finance, and Strategic Financial Planning
Resources
Case Studies
Blog
- Doing Standup Comedy- a CFO’s Perspective
- Florida CFO Group Joins Panel and Sponsors “Back to the Future of Work” Event
- Putting People First & Unlocking Their Potential with AI
- DisruptHR — Interesting and Fun
- The Carburetor for your Business
- A High Quality of Life for High-Quality CFOs
- Telling Our CFO Story
- Disrupt…or Be Disrupted
- HR & Finance: We’re the Rhythm Section
- Confessions of a Former Cable TV Exec
- Client Success Story: Thriving Through a Supply Chain Crisis
- Meaningful Metric November 2021 | The Right People in Key Seats
- Florida Entrepreneur Success Network (FESN)
- Meaningful Metric January 2021 | LTV to CAC Ratio
Video
Testimonials
“Phil is a true thought partner who consistently sees the bigger picture and ensures our financial decisions align with long-term goals. He challenges our thinking, holds us accountable, and brings people and ideas together in ways that create real value. With Phil on our team, we’re more confident, focused, and supported in building the future we envision.”
Michele Krohn, Founder / Managing Partner
“Phil played a pivotal role in our transition from a traditional lead-generation agency to a SaaS business. His financial models and cash planning were critical as we bootstrapped a software company. Beyond finance, Phil is a strategic thinker whose guidance shaped our operations, fundraising, and successful transition to a C-corp. He has a rare ability to make complex financial concepts clear and actionable—and his leadership elevated both our business and our team.”
Tonya Turrell, Founder & CEO, Technology Match
Phil’s contributions to Polyblox were immediate, and the momentum hasn’t slowed. At Polyblox, we call it the "Phil-factor” -his incredible ability to garner respect and engagement. He is a man worthy of your trust, who will exceed all expectations and share your dream to make the world a better place.
Laresa Tapia MBA, CEO / Inventor, Polyblox Inc.
Phil is sharp, patient, non-intimidating and fun to work with. His brilliance is underscored by the absence of arrogance and presence of modesty. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to grow my business through his guidance and be audit-ready.