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With a lean team and complex compliance requirements, Abound needed more than just bookkeeping, they needed CFO-level strategic support without the cost of a full-time hire.
"There's only one of me… in any startup you just do multiple jobs." – Addyson Phan, Head of Finance & Compliance
The challenge
When Abound brought on their Head of Finance & Compliance, Addyson Phan, the company was already partnering with Zeni for bookkeeping.
However, as a one-person finance team at a high-growth fintech, Addyson was stretched thin managing everything from accounting and compliance to cash-flow modeling, investor reporting, and strategic planning.
Abound needed a financial operations solution that could:
Close the books on time every month to enable timely analysis and planning
Provide real-time visibility into cash flow, burn rate, and runway
Deliver CFO-level strategic guidance and financial modeling
Support fintech-specific compliance and technical accounting needs
Respond rapidly to ad hoc financial questions and requests
"Before, we didn't close the books on time. That was very frustrating for me. Building a model or strategizing what's next has always been a struggle for me." – Addyson Phan, Head of Finance & Compliance
The solution
Zeni provided Abound with comprehensive Fractional CFO Services that combined strategic financial leadership with operational execution. The engagement included weekly CFO meetings every Thursday to review cash position, spending trends, and priorities, ensuring nothing fell through the cracks.
Zeni's fractional CFO services helped Abound:
Gain Financial Clarity: Access dynamic cash-flow forecasting, runway analysis, and burn rate tracking in real-time.
Close Books Consistently: Achieve on-time month-end close every single month with professional reporting.
Make Faster Decisions: Receive rapid responses to urgent requests, often within hours, through Slack-based communication.
Build Custom Financial Models: Work collaboratively on budgeting, forecasting, and scenario planning tailored to Abound's business.
Access Strategic Partnership: Gain a trusted sounding board for decisions on hiring, cost control, and investor conversations.
"I've told him I need something within an hour, and he gets it done. He asks me the right questions and helps me strategize." – Addyson Phan, Head of Finance & Compliance
The impact
5–6 hours saved per week: Eliminated manual work on financial modeling, reporting, and analysis
100% on-time month-end close: Consistent, reliable financial reporting every month
Real-time visibility: Complete clarity into cash flow, burn rate, and runway at all times
Reduced stress: Transformed month-end from overwhelming to manageable
Strategic focus: Leadership now spends time on growth initiatives rather than financial firefighting
Informed decision-making: Better planning for hiring, cost control, and fundraising backed by accurate forecasting
"I always know exactly how much money I have left. It's comforting knowing I have someone I can hand things to, someone who can get things done right away." – Addyson Phan, Head of Finance & Compliance
You too can gain CFO-level financial clarity and support without a full-time hire. Talk with a financial advisor here.
