Running the company from the bank balance might feel quick, but it’s why 82 % of small firms die of “self-inflicted” cash-flow wounds.



Former JP Morgan banker Tom Griffiths now parachutes into owner-managed businesses as a fractional CFO. He walks us through:



- The 16 financial drivers every SME should track (revenue → gross → net → cash)

- Spotting and fixing “messy books” before a buyer’s DD team does

- Preparing for an earn-out without being taken for a ride

- Why doubling revenue can leave profit flat, and when to say no to debt

- His playbook for selling an IT-services business (and keeping the deal alive)



If you’re growing, buying or aiming to sell within the next few years, this one’s for you.



⏱ Timestamps

[00:00 ] Welcome back & episode outline

[00:24 ] Meet Tom Griffiths—JP Morgan to Synergy CFO Solutions

[01:32 ] Why he left high-finance for SMEs

[02:56 ] “Cash in the bank ≠ strategy”—common owner blind spots

[05:33 ] VAT, CT & other hidden cashflow traps

[08:18 ] Tom’s 16-driver finance pyramid

[12:40 ] Real-world messy books & quick fixes

[14:45 ] Exit prep case study: cleaning the numbers before marketing

[18:15 ] Forecasts, customer concentration & DD red flags

[22:10 ] Earn-outs, deferred consideration & deal psychology

[26:05 ] When it’s time for a fractional CFO

[30:03 ] What makes a great client (and a terrible one)

[33:00 ] Free 16-driver worksheet & on-demand training

[34:05 ] Take-aways & how to reach Tom



Resources & Links

Free training + 16-Driver Worksheet

https://synergycfosolutions.co/workshop-registration/



Connect with Tom on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomgriffiths8/



BizCrunch Community (early episodes, live Q&A, networking)

https://www.bizcrunch.co/community



About M&A-Zing

Host Gareth Hawkins—exited founder & M&A investor—dives into real UK & European SMB deals: search funds, holdcos and bootstrapped buy-outs.



Featured News

• UK Start-Up Loans top £1 bn (6 % fixed, £25 k per director)

• HMRC targets disguised remuneration schemes across 1 000+ SMEs

• Searchfunder Q1-2025: 20 ETA deals, 45 % in Europe (Spain leads)





Thanks for watching! Like, subscribe and drop questions below - or join the BizCrunch community for the private AMA.



#SearchFunds #EntrepreneurshipThroughAcquisition #FractionalCFO #SMBFinance #BizCrunch #Dealmakers