How to Hire a CFO Advisor in Malaysia
- Chow Ping
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Your accountant records every sen you earn.
Your tax agent files your returns.
But who's helping you decide whether to hire that person, sign that lease, or expand to a second location?
If the answer is "nobody," you need a CFO advisor.
What is a CFO advisor?
And how do you hire one in Malaysia?
What is a CFO Advisor?
A CFO advisor helps you understand where your money is really going and predict cash problems before they happen. They also help you improve margins, optimize pricing, and decide whether to hire, expand, or hold steady.
They advise. They don't execute.
Think of them as your financial GPS.
They don't drive the car. But they tell you when to turn, when to slow down, and when there's a better route ahead.
Do you actually need a CFO advisor?
Not every business needs a CFO advisor. But if you recognize yourself in any of these scenarios, it's time:
You're making decisions based on gut feel, not data.
Your last financial statement was prepared 6-12 months ago for tax purposes. You have no idea what your actual profit margins are by product.
If someone asked "How much cash will you have in three months?" you'd have no clue.
You're growing fast but cash is always tight.
Revenue is up 30%, 50%, maybe 100% — but somehow you're always short on cash.
You're chasing customers for payment, juggling which suppliers to pay this week.
This is called growing broke, and it kills businesses.
You're bleeding money somewhere but don't know where.
Expenses feel out of control.
You suspect wastage but can't pinpoint it. Interest and penalties keep showing up.
You're facing complex decisions.
Should you expand to a second location? (RM300k commitment).
Buy that RM80,000 equipment?
Hire two more people? (RM10k/month in fixed costs).
Accept that contract with 15% margins?
Finally fire that client who pays late every month?
You're planning something big.
Raising capital, preparing for investors, considering merger/acquisition, or planning an exit strategy.
Need a CFO advisor? We've got you. Douglas Loh & Associates spent 32 years helping Malaysian business owners understand their numbers and make better decisions. As your CFO advisor, we'll help you save tens of thousands in tax, improve cash flow, and avoid costly mistakes.
Types of CFO Advisory Services in Malaysia
You have three options.
Option 1: Full-Time In-House CFO
Cost: RM8,000 - RM20,000+/month (RM120k - RM300k+/year total)
When it makes sense: RM10 million+ revenue, complex operations
Reality: Most SMEs can't justify this cost
Option 2: Fractional CFO (Part-Time CFO)
Cost: RM5,000 - RM10,000+/month
What you get: Someone performing actual CFO duties but part-time
The catch: They're doing the work, not just advising. That means more hours per week, and as your business gets more complex, so does their time commitment and your bill.
Option 3: Outsourced CFO Advisory (Recommended)
Cost: RM1,500 - RM5,000/month depending on complexity
What you get: Monthly meetings, financial reports, cash flow forecasts, strategic recommendations, ad-hoc support
Time commitment: 4-6 hours per month of their time
Why it works: Strategic guidance without full-time overhead, predictable costs, scalable
How to Find a CFO Advisor in Malaysia
Where to Look:
Established accounting firms with advisory arms
Many Malaysian firms now offer CFO services beyond compliance work.
Douglas Loh & Associates is one such firm. We've been helping Malaysian businesses with tax and audit for 32 years, and now offer CFO advisory services to help clients make better decisions.
Professional networks and referrals
Ask other business owners, your current accountant, or check Malaysian business chambers (ACCCIM, SME Association).
Accounting industry bodies
MIA (Malaysian Institute of Accountants), MICPA, CPA Australia member directories.
How to Vet a CFO Advisor
You've found a few potential advisors. Now it's time to interview them properly.
Key Questions to Ask:
About their experience:
How many clients do you currently serve? (Sweet spot: 8-15 clients)
Have you worked with businesses in my revenue range?
Can you share a case study similar to my business?
About their process:
What does a typical month look like?
What deliverables will I receive?
How often will we meet?
Test their knowledge:
"How would you approach improving my specific situation?" (Share your biggest challenge)
"What key metrics would you track for my type of business?"
About pricing:
What's included in your monthly fee?
What costs extra?
What's the minimum commitment period?
Watch For:
Do they use jargon or plain language?
Do they lecture you or have a conversation?
Do they seem genuinely interested in your business?
Can you see yourself taking their advice seriously?
Trust your gut. Chemistry matters — you'll be sharing sensitive financial information with this person.
What to Expect When Working Together
Here's what a typical engagement looks like from month one through ongoing work:
Initial Setup (Month 1-2):
Financial health check of current situation
Review of existing statements, processes, systems
Set up proper reporting structure
Define key metrics to track
Establish meeting cadence
Ongoing Monthly Rhythm (Month 3+):
They prepare (1-3 hours): Analyze your monthly financials, update forecasts, identify issues
You meet (1-2 hours): Review performance, discuss strategic decisions, agree on action items
Ad-hoc support (1-2 hours): Quick calls/emails throughout the month
What You'll Receive:
Monthly financial review and analysis
Cash flow forecasts (3-6 months ahead)
KPI dashboard
Variance analysis (actual vs budget)
Actionable recommendations
Your responsibilities are straightforward: provide timely and accurate information, implement the changes you agree to, show up to meetings prepared, be honest about challenges, and act on recommendations, or at least explain why you can't.
Remember: They advise, you decide. They guide, you execute. They spot problems, you fix them.
Now you know what to look for, how to vet someone, and what to expect. The next step is finding the right advisor for your business.
At Douglas Loh & Associates, we've spent 32 years helping Malaysian business owners understand their numbers and make better decisions. We've helped clients save tens of thousands in tax, improve cash flow, and avoid costly mistakes.
Want to find out if CFO advisory services are right for your business? Let's have an honest discussion about where your business is and whether we can help you get where you want to go.
WhatsApp us now:
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