Funding Frustrations?

Discover what's blocking your access to capital

Profit Problems?

Fix Your Financial Blind Spots

See where you're actually making (or losing) money

Growth Stalled?

Break Through Your Ceiling

Scale from $3M-$50M without the chaos

Building to Sell?

Maximize Your Valuation

Increase what buyers will pay for your business

Not sure which problem to tackle first?

Free Assessments

  • BLAST™ Borrowing Power Assessment

  • Growth Ceiling Assessment

Free Guides

  • The Funding Readiness Checklist

  • Profit Leaks: Where Your Money Goes

  • The Growth Bottleneck Diagnostic

  • Valuation Multipliers Explained

Ongoing Learning

  • Blog: Strategic Growth Insights

  • Newsletter: The Grumpy CFO Weekly

  • Fractional CFO Guide

Book Phil

  • Hire Phil to Speak

  • Phil's Book: "The Business Wealth Builders"

Funding Frustrations?

Discover what's blocking your access to capital

Profit Problems?

Fix Your Financial Blind Spots

See where you're actually making (or losing) money

Growth Stalled?

Break Through Your Ceiling

Scale from $3M-$50M without the chaos

Building to Sell?

Maximize Your Valuation

Increase what buyers will pay for your business

Not sure which problem to tackle first?

Free Assessments

  • BLAST™ Borrowing Power Assessment

  • Growth Ceiling Assessment

Free Guides

  • The Funding Readiness Checklist

  • Profit Leaks: Where Your Money Goes

  • The Growth Bottleneck Diagnostic

  • Valuation Multipliers Explained

Ongoing Learning

  • Blog: Strategic Growth Insights

  • Newsletter: The Grumpy CFO Weekly

  • Fractional CFO Guide

Book Phil

  • Hire Phil to Speak

  • Phil's Book: "The Business Wealth Builders"

Find Your Funding Gaps

Book a free call to discuss your growth and funding strategy.

(The self-serve assessment is launching soon.)

Who Are You?

Choose your path to learn how the Grumpy CFO® can help you.

I'M A BANKER

Your clients need this service. I help your business banking clients become more bankable, better prepared, and lower risk while keeping you in control of the relationship.

WHAT YOU GET:

A trusted resource for clients who need strategic CFO guidance

Clients who arrive at your desk better prepared and more fundable

Risk mitigation through professional financial analysis

Complete confidentiality and professional collaboration

I'M A BUSINESS OWNER

You've built a profitable B2B company, but accessing growth capital is harder than it should be. I'll show you why and fix it.

WHAT YOU GET:

The Growth and Funding Blueprint: A complete lender-ready financing package

Strategic clarity on what drives profit (and what doesn't)

Customer validation interviews that prove your value

Minimum $200K in identified funding potential

I'M A CFO OR ACCOUNTANT

Your clients need strategic growth advisory, not just compliance. Join the Grumpy CFO® Community to access proven tools, techniques, and licensing opportunities.

WHAT YOU GET:

Access to the Growth and Funding Blueprint methodology

Customer interviewing frameworks

Strategy Sprint facilitation tools

Community of like-minded strategic advisors

Phil Symchych, CPA, MBA, CMC, ICD.D
The Business Wealth Builder® Established 1994

Why Bankers, Owners, And Advisors Trust The Grumpy CFO®

Experience

34+ YEARS | 7 COUNTRIES | 63 INDUSTRIES

Advising B2B companies since 1994. From manufacturing to professional services, healthcare to construction. If it's B2B and between $3M-$50M in revenue, I've probably worked in
your industry.

Credentials

CPA | MBA | CMC | ICD.D

Chartered Public Accountant. Master of Business Administration. Certified Management Consultant. Institute of Corporate Directors designation. Not just credentials; proof of comprehensive

business knowledge.

Growth and Funding Success

Hundreds of Millions in Client Revenue Growth

Helped clients generate hundreds of millions in new revenue after funding put in place. Funded over $25 million with debt and equity. Average project finds $200K-$2million+ in funding potential. All backed by a money-back guarantee.

The Grumpy CFO®

Growth and Funding Blueprint

A comprehensive 60-90 day program that delivers a complete lender-ready financing package and strategic business clarity.

Hidden Profit Discovery

I dig into your accounting system to extract buried profit data. Which customers are most profitable? Which products actually make money? Which services cost you more than they're worth? Most owners and bankers are shocked by what we find.

Customer

Validation

I personally interview your best customers in 20-30 minute recorded conversations that reveal what they actually value, how you stand out from competitors, and why they stay. This isn't a survey. It's validation that bankers trust and management teams need to hear.

Strategic Growth Sprint

A focused 2-hour strategy session that gets leadership aligned on the growth path forward. Data-driven, not gut-feel. This becomes the foundation of your business plan and the clarity your team needs.

Full Blueprint Components:

  • BLAST: Business Loan Accelerator, Strategy and Trust. Identify your current and future borrowing potential

  • Deep financial analysis by product, service, and customer so you know where you’re making money, or not

  • Marketing and sales effectiveness assessment to evaluate marketing spend ROI

  • Organizational and management bench strength evaluation to identify strengths and gaps

  • Customer interview recordings and insights report to hear what they really value

  • Management team interviews and assessment to see what information they need

  • Strategy Sprint facilitation and strategic roadmap to align your team on your future opportunities

  • Summary business plan and financial projections to show the banker you have a credible and profitable plan

  • Complete "Grumpy CFO Lender Package" for banker review to make a positive and professional first impression that accelerates the process

  • Banker presentation support and negotiation assistance because you can never negotiate your own best deal

1

BLAST: Business Loan Accelerator, Strategy and Trust. Identify your current and future borrowing potential

3

Deep financial analysis by product, service, and customer so you know where you’re making money, or not

5

Marketing and sales effectiveness assessment to evaluate marketing spend ROI

7

Customer interview recordings and insights report to hear what they really value

9

Strategy Sprint facilitation and strategic roadmap to align your team on your future opportunities

2

Management team interviews and assessment to see what information they need

4

Organizational and management bench strength evaluation to identify strengths

and gaps

6

Summary business plan and financial projections to show the banker you have a credible and profitable plan

8

Complete "Grumpy CFO® Lender Package" for banker review to make a positive and professional first impression that accelerates the process

10

Banker presentation support and negotiation assistance because you can never negotiate your own best deal

Investment: Call to discuss

Timeline: 60-90 days

Guarantee: Minimum $200,000 in identified funding potential, or full refund

Start Smaller:
The BLAST Assessment

Not ready for the full Blueprint? Start with BLAST, the Business Loan Accelerator: Strategy & Trust.

BLAST is the first component of the Growth and Funding Blueprint, offered as a standalone diagnostic for $7,500. There are three types of funding: Internal from operating profit, and external from debt and equity. BLAST looks at all three.

WHAT YOU GET:

  • Analysis of current and potential borrowing capacity

  • Identification of financial gaps holding you back

  • Two-page BLAST Report and Roadmap

  • 30-minute review call with The Grumpy CFO®

  • 100% money-back guarantee if I don't find $200K+ in borrowing potential

INVESTMENT: $7,500

Many clients start with BLAST, see the potential, and upgrade to the complete Growth and Funding Blueprint. Your investment in BLAST will can be credited fully towards the Growth and Funding Blueprint within 60 days.

Why "GRUMPY"?

I'm grumpy because I see the same problems over and over:

  • Accountants minimize taxes which destroys borrowing power and business valuation.

  • Bankers want retained earnings but your reports show thin profits

  • Owners don't know which customers are profitable because accounting systems bury this information.

  • Decisions are made on instinct instead of data

  • Growth is held back by easily fixable financial storytelling problems

It’s not a spreadsheet problem. It’s a strategy problem. Let’s fix it.

What Makes Me Different:

Most fractional CFOs want to do your accounting.

I don't.

Most business consultants want monthly retainers for generic advice.

I don't.

Most advisors report what happened last month.

I focus on what happens next.

What I Actually Do:

  • Extract strategic insights your accounting system hides 

  • Dig into your numbers to find buried profit


  • Call your customers to validate your value


  • Interview your team to assess your strategy


  • Build a lender package that gets you approved


  • Negotiate with your banker to get the best deal


  • Give you clarity and confidence to accelerate profitable growth

Then I get out of your way so you can grow.

No spreadsheets. No accounting. No monthly compliance reports. Just strategic clarity, funding access, and accelerating profitable growth.

How It Works

(the Process)

STEP 1

Take the Free Assessment

20 quick Yes/No questions. No spreadsheets. Just insight.

STEP 2

Book a Discovery Call

We’ll go over your score and see if the full BLAST System is a good fit.

STEP 3

Get Your BLAST Report

Receive your custom roadmap + review call to chart your next financial moves.

How It Works

(the Process)

STEP 1

Take the Free Assessment

10 quick questions. No Spreadsheets. Just insights.

STEP 2

Book a Discovery Call

We’ll go over your score and see if the full BLAST System is a good fit.

STEP 3

Get Your BLAST Report

Receive your custom roadmap + review call to chart your next financial moves.

What Bankers, Owners, and Advisors Say

Banker

Phil helps his clients get organized and positioned for growth, for financing to support the growth, and for improved business performance. We trust him. We regularly refer Phil as an important resource for our clients and potential clients. He provides sophisticated financial consulting. Phil's advice helps the bank to lend more money into a lower-risk situation.

— Doug Yaremko, MBA Former Director, Scotiabank

Owners

Phil's advice helped us to dramatically increase our business and personal wealth. Our financial worth has increased substantially.

— Teresa Hensrud

Industrial Scale Ltd.

Phil has a unique talent to see the value in your business that we can't see ourselves, and then to develop powerful strategies that enhance this value and drive profitable growth in your business.

— Kevin Pare

KSP Technology

I highly recommend Phil Symchych if you are serious about growing your business, increasing revenues and profits, and creating more freedom in your business.

— Marlaine McCauley, President

Apex Facility Resources, Inc.

Owners

I consider investing in your services to be one of the best returns on investment I have ever received.

— Larry Mything

Kozey Holdings Ltd. and Tim Hortons Franchisee

Even though his services may seem expensive, we definitely received a return on our investment. Phil's product is something you pay for now, but you use it throughout your lifetime. It's very valuable.

— Zlatan Fazlagic, Founder

Look Agency

SMEAGMG

— Matt Brady

— Tim Forrest

— Gary Furr

— Art Koch

— Dan Weedin

— Dean Robinson

— Arakel Arisian

For Bankers:

Your Clients Need This Service

I help your business banking clients become more bankable without interfering with your relationship.

You Stay in Control
Your client remains your client. I work with them to prepare a professional financing package, then they present it to you. I never contact competing banks or interfere with your banking relationship.

I Make Your Job Easier
Instead of reviewing incomplete financials and vague business plans, you receive a comprehensive "Grumpy CFO® Lender Package" with everything you need: detailed financial analysis, customer validation, strategic plan, and realistic projections.

Your Clients Become Lower Risk
My process reveals hidden problems before you approve financing. Better profit visibility, customer concentration analysis, and strategic clarity mean you're lending into a more transparent, lower-risk situation.

Complete Confidentiality
I sign NDAs. Your client's information stays confidential. If they choose not to proceed with financing, nothing is shared with you without their permission.

When to Refer a Client to Me

  • Client has been declined but you believe in their business

  • Client wants to borrow but their financials don't support it

  • Client is growing but lacks strategic clarity

  • Client has great revenue but poor profit visibility

  • Client needs a professional business plan and financial projections

  • You want a second opinion on a borderline lending decision

My Professional Background

CPA: I understand financial statements and what bankers need to see, and the bias some accountants have to minimize taxes, which makes their clients less bankable

MBA: I understand business strategy, marketing and growth planning

CMC (Certified Management Consultant): I understand operational excellence and process improvement

ICD.D (Institute of Corporate Directors): I understand governance, risk management, and board-level thinking

34+ Years Experience: I've worked with hundreds of clients across 65 industry segments in 7 countries

This isn't my first banking conversation. I know what you need to approve a loan, and I know how to help clients present their case professionally.

Banker FAQs

How do you protect my relationship with my client?

Your client remains your client. I never contact competing banks on their behalf unless they specifically request it and inform you first. My role is to help them prepare a professional package for YOU. I'm a resource that makes your job easier, not a competitor.

What if my client can't afford the Blueprint?

They can start with the BLAST Assessment for $7,500. This gives them (and you) visibility into their borrowing potential and what needs to be fixed. Many clients start with BLAST and upgrade to the Blueprint once they see the opportunity.

How do you maintain confidentiality?

I sign NDAs with every client. I have CPA and CMC rules of professional conduct and client confidentiality. Their financial information stays confidential. If I discover something concerning during my analysis, I discuss it with them first. They decide what information is shared with you and when.

What if you find problems that make them unqualified for financing?

That's valuable information for both of us. Better to discover problems during my analysis than after you've spent time on a loan application. If they're truly not fundable, I'll be honest with them (and you, with their permission). I only get paid my success fee when financing is approved, so I'm incentivized to help them become truly bankable.

Do you help with the actual loan application?

I prepare everything they need to present to you professionally: business plan, financial projections, strategic narrative, and supporting documentation. But they submit the application to you directly or authorize me to do so. I can attend the presentation meeting if you and the client both want me there, but this is their application to their bank.

What's your success rate?

For qualified clients who complete the full Blueprint process, over 90% receive financing approval. The key word is "qualified." I don't take on clients who aren't truly fundable. The BLAST Assessment helps me (and them) determine if pursuing financing makes sense.

How do I know you're credible?

Check my credentials: CPA, MBA, CMC, ICD.D. Review my 34+ year track record. See the testimonials. Look at my client results. I'm not a broker or intermediary. I'm a strategic CFO who happens to be very good at helping clients access growth capital.

For Business Owners:

Growth and Funding Blueprint

Growth Capital Assessment Call (45-60 minutes)

We determine fit, analyze your business potential, review your numbers, and discuss the ROI of the Blueprint investment. This is a real conversation, not a sales pitch. If I don't think I can help you secure $200K+ in funding potential, I'll tell you. The goal is to add millions to your revenue and your valuation.

Proposal and Engagement

You receive a detailed proposal outlining the scope, timeline, deliverables, and investment and potential ROI. Once approved, you wire payment and we begin immediately.

Financial Deep Dive (Week 1-2)

You give me "accountant view only" access to your accounting system (QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, etc.). I analyze everything:

  • Revenue by product, service, and customer so you stop guessing

  • Gross profit margins by offering so you know your profit drivers

  • Customer concentration and profitability so you can focus on the best customers, not just the loudest

  • Expense allocation and cost structure because financial statements can distort reality

  • Historical trends and seasonality so you can accelerate success instead of increasing friction

The insights are usually eye-opening. Most accounting systems bury this information and can’t even report on it, but it's there if you know where to look.

Customer and Management Interviews (Week 2-3)

Customer Interviews: I personally call 2-3 of your best customers for 20-30 minute recorded conversations. I ask about the value you deliver, why they chose you, why they stay, and how you compare to alternatives. This isn't a satisfaction survey. It's deep validation that both you and your banker need to hear.

Management Interviews: I interview your key managers and owners to understand how you make decisions, what information you use (or need), and where the gaps are in your strategic thinking.

Marketing Assessment: Using frameworks from Duct Tape Marketing, I assess your marketing effectiveness, positioning, and messaging.

Strategy Sprint (Week 3-4)

A focused 2-hour strategy session with your leadership team. Data-driven, not theoretical.

We align on:

  • Your growth vision and targets

  • Your competitive advantages (proven by customer feedback)

  • Your most profitable offerings (revealed by financial analysis)

  • Your strategic growth priorities for the next 12-24 months

This becomes the foundation of your business plan and your team's roadmap.

Business Plan and Financial Projections (Week 4-6)

I provide a template and framework. You (or your team) fill in the operational details. This increases your awareness and buy-in and increases your banker's confidence. I oversee and refine.
We create realistic financial projections that show:

  • Revenue growth assumptions based on your strategy

  • Expense scaling based on historical patterns

  • Cash flow requirements and timing

  • Use of proceeds from the loan you're requesting

No fantasy numbers. No hockey stick projections. Just realistic, defensible forecasts that bankers trust.

Lender Package Assembly (Week 6-8)

I collect and assemble everything into one comprehensive "Grumpy CFO® Lender Package" PDF:

  • Executive summary and business overview

  • Strategic plan and competitive positioning

  • Financial analysis and historical performance

  • Customer validation interviews and insights

  • Management team bios and organizational chart

  • Detailed financial projections and use of proceeds

  • Supporting documents (historical info, tax returns, contracts, incorporation, etc.)

This is what your banker receives. Professional, thorough, and designed to build confidence.

Banker Presentation and Negotiation (Week 8-12)

You present your Growth & Funding Blueprint to your banker. I support you, evaluate terms, and position your request for maximum approval odds.

Proactive Negotiations: If you want me to proactively communicate and negotiate with your banker or multiple bankers, that service is available. And, you don’t pay extra upfront. When your loan is approved, I earn a success fee of 2% of the loan amount. This aligns my incentives with yours; I only get paid the success fee when you get a reasonable term sheet.

Ongoing Support (Additional)

Once financing is approved and you're ready to execute your growth strategy, you can continue with Grumpy CFO® strategic advisory services:

  • Monthly strategic CFO calls, Quarterly strategy sessions

  • Dashboard and KPI development

  • Growth planning and scenario modeling

  • M&A advisory when you're ready to exit

  • Unlimited access for the CEO for calls

Monthly Investment: $5K-$15K depending on scope
No bookkeeping. No tax prep. No compliance. Just high-level strategic CFO guidance.

Who This Is For / Not For

The Growth and Funding Blueprint Is Right for You If:

  • You run a B2B company with $3M-$50M in annual revenue

  • You've been declined for a business loan (or got far less than you need)

  • You want to grow but don't know how to secure growth capital

  • You're profitable but banks don't see it in your numbers

  • You're ready to invest significant investment to unlock $200K-$2M+ in growth funding and millions in revenue & valuation growth

  • You want strategic clarity, not just accounting compliance

  • You're willing to actively participate in the process

This Is NOT For You If:

  • You're under $3M in revenue (call me when you hit $3M)

  • You need tax prep, bookkeeping, or monthly accounting

  • You're not serious about growth

  • You're not willing to give me full access to your financial information

  • You expect me to do all the work without your participation

  • You're looking for a loan broker or intermediary (I'm a strategic CFO)

  • Your records are months behind, or you're behind on tax filings, remittances or loans.

General FAQs

Why should I pay for the Growth and Funding Blueprint?

Because you're trying to secure $200K, $500K, $1M, or more in growth capital. The Blueprint pays for itself when you get approved. Plus, the strategic clarity alone transforms how you run your business. You'll finally know which customers, products, and services drive profit, knowledge that's worth the investment regardless of whether you pursue financing. The typical ROI is 500% to 800% (your actual mileage may vary and may be even higher).

This can generate millions in revenue and valuation growth. One client added $214 million in new revenue over time. Your actual mileage may vary.

What if I already have an accountant or CFO?

Keep them. Accountants file taxes and maintain compliance. Internal CFOs often focus on reporting and operational finance. I do neither. I dive deep for 60-90 days to extract buried insights, interview your customers and team, build your lender package, and negotiate your financing. Different jobs entirely. Your accountant reports history. Your CFO manages operations. I build your fundable future. My findings will help to unleash your CFO to add more value.

How is this different from hiring a typical fractional CFO?

Most fractional CFOs want monthly retainers to do accounting, create historical reports, and attend meetings. I don't. I deliver a complete transformation in 60-90 days: customer interviews, strategy alignment, lender package, banker negotiation, and strategic clarity. You get results without ongoing monthly fees. If you like this process and want to continually grow your business, then ongoing strategy support is available.

What if my financials are a mess?

That's exactly why you need the Blueprint. Messy financials don't mean you have a bad business. They mean your story isn't being told properly. I'll organize your financials, extract the hidden profit data, and show your banker why you're actually a great investment.

Do you guarantee I'll get approved for a loan?

No. Banks make their own decisions based on multiple factors, some outside my control (economy, regulatory environment, bank appetite, your credit history). But I guarantee I'll find minimum $200K in borrowing potential and present your case in the strongest possible way. If I can't find the funding potential, you get a full refund. I also only charge a success fee when you actually get approved, which demonstrates my confidence in the process.

What if I don't want to borrow money right now?

The Blueprint still delivers enormous value. You'll get clarity on customer profitability, product profitability, and strategic direction. You'll hear directly from customers why they value you. You'll have financial projections and a business plan. Even if you never approach a banker, you'll run your business better with this information. Think of it as a strategic diagnostic that happens to also make you extremely fundable.

How involved do I need to be?

Very involved. It’s your business and your wealth on the line. This isn't a passive process. You need to give me accounting system access, participate in interviews, attend the Strategy Sprint, and potentially complete portions of the business plan template. The more you participate, the better the results and the stronger your buy-in. I'm not here to do all the work for you where you don’t learn anything. I'm here to guide you through a transformational process and make you a stronger, smarter, more profitable business owner.

Can I start with just the BLAST Assessment?

Absolutely. BLAST is $7,500 and shows current and potential borrowing capacity. Many clients start there, see the potential, and then upgrade to the full Blueprint. BLAST includes a $100K borrowing potential guarantee and gives you a clear roadmap of what needs to be addressed.

What industries do you work with?

B2B companies across 65 industry segments: agribusiness, manufacturing, distribution, professional services, technology services, engineering firms, consulting practices, and more. If it's B2B and between $3M-$50M in revenue, I've likely worked in your space.

Do you work outside of Canada?

Yes. I've worked with clients in 7 countries. The Growth and Funding Blueprint methodology works anywhere, though specific banking relationships and lending practices vary by region. I'm based in Regina, Saskatchewan, but work with clients throughout North America and internationally via Zoom.

For CFOs and Accountants:

The Grumpy CFO® Community

(Coming 2026)

Your companies and clients need you to provide strategic financial advisory services, not just compliance. License my proven tools and join a community of advisors who focus on results, not reports.

What's Coming in 2026:

Access to the Growth and Funding Blueprint Methodology

Learn my complete process for helping B2B companies access growth capital. All templates, frameworks, and step-by-step guidance.

Customer Interview Training

My customer interviewing framework. This alone transforms how you understand your clients' value proposition.

Strategy Sprint Facilitation Tools

How to run a focused 2-hour strategy session that gets leadership teams aligned on growth priorities. Data-driven, not theoretical.

Financial Analysis Deep-Dive Techniques

How to extract buried profit data from accounting systems (QuickBooks, Xero, Sage). How to analyze customer profitability, product profitability, and service profitability when the standard reports hide this information.

Lender Package Assembly Best Practices

What bankers actually want to see. How to present financial projections that build confidence. How to write a business plan that gets read (and approved).

Community Access

Connect with other strategic CFOs and accountants who are building advisory practices, not compliance factories. Monthly calls, case study reviews, and collaboration opportunities.

Early Interest List: The Grumpy CFO® Community launches in 2025.
Join the early interest list to be notified when enrollment opens.

Lender Package Assembly Best Practices

What bankers actually want to see. How to present financial projections that build confidence. How to write a business plan that gets read (and approved).

Ready To Get Started?

Choose your path:

BANKERS

Refer a Client

You have clients who need strategic CFO guidance to become more bankable. Let's discuss how we can work together to serve them better.

BUSINESS OWNERS

Get Growth Capital

Stop accepting "no" from bankers. Get the Growth and Funding Blueprint and unlock the capital your business deserves.

CFOs & ACCOUNTANTS

Join the Community

Build a strategic advisory practice using proven tools and methodologies. Join the early interest list for the Grumpy CFO® Community launching in 2025.

Every month you wait is another month of missed growth opportunity. Don't let easily fixable problems hold you back.

Professional Affiliations

Chartered Professional Accountants Canada

Certified Management Consultants

Institute of Corporate Directors

Duct Tape Marketing Certified Consultant

Phil Symchych, CPA, MBA, CMC, ICD.D

The Business Wealth Builder®

The Grumpy CFO®

Originally Established 1994®

CONTACT

PHIL SYMCHYCH

888-674-2041

(Toll-free North America)

  • Regina, Saskatchewan,

    Canada

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© 2026 Grumpy CFO. The Business Wealth Builder® and The Grumpy CFO® are registered trademarks. All Rights Reserved.