ABOUT
Chief Financial Consulting
Chief Financial Consulting is a fractional CFO consulting company that primarily serves growing small to medium businesses that cannot yet afford a full-time CFO. I offer a range of services, including Financial Planning and analysis, M&A support, cash flow management, ERP selection and implementation, and business process mapping and improvement. Additionally, I provide interim CFO services.
more about me
Karen Diepholz, MBA, CPA (inactive)
With over 13 years as a Chief Financial Officer, I bring a wealth of expertise in steering organizations through financial complexities and driving strategic growth. My background spans public, private, and private equity-backed companies, where I’ve led key operational functions including FP&A, Accounting, IT, HR, and Procurement.
My experience as a financial executive includes working with companies ranging from large enterprises with $2 billion in revenue to smaller firms with $50 million, adapting my approach to meet the unique needs of each organization. My ability to blend strategic insight with practical solutions and commitment to driving sustainable success fosters an environment where both people and business can thrive.
I am passionate about learning new business models and identifying the levers for efficiency and effective growth. As a leader coach, I excel in making financial information relatable across the organization, up-leveling the financial acumen of the management team. As a CFO, I have built and restructured multiple FP&A and Accounting teams to improve collaboration, fact-based decision-making in the business, and delivery on governance goals.
A notable aspect of my career is my specialization in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). I developed a fast-track integration process for onboarding acquisitions, ensuring smooth transitions and rapid realization of synergies. My expertise extends to change management, where I effectively guide organizations through transformation, aligning teams and processes with new strategic directions.
I cultivate and manage strong relationships with investors and banking partners. I excel in investor communications, securing funding, and navigating banking relationships to support the company’s financial strategy and growth objectives.
I have successfully managed and executed three major ERP implementations—SAP, MS NAV, and MS 365—tailoring each system to meet the specific needs of the organization. All successful and on budget. Most recently, I championed the implementation of a CRM system for the hospitality and direct sales teams, enhancing customer engagement, the customer journey, and operational efficiency.