No CFO? No Excuse: Financial Leadership for Growing AEC Firms

Most AEC firms have financial data. Few have true financial leadership. As firms grow, finance must do more than close the books and generate reports. It should help leaders make smarter decisions about profitability, staffing, growth, ownership, and risk. Yet many small and mid-sized AEC firms operate without CFO-level guidance nor the systems needed to proactively manage performance. In this webinar, Tom Godin will explore what effective financial leadership looks like across the AEC firm lifecycle. Drawing from insights in Zweig Group's latest Financial Performance Report and real-world industry experience, Tom will cover the key reports, metrics, forecasting tools, and financial rhythms that help firms improve accountability, profitability, and decision-making — even without a full-time CFO. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how to strengthen financial discipline and build a more proactive approach to managing firm performance, closing the gap between basic financial management and true financial leadership. Guest Speaker: Tom Godin Sr Director, Performance Consulting at Zweig Group During this session, you'll learn: How to differentiate between financial management and financial leadership in the context of growing AEC firms. How to assess when a firm may need stronger financial systems, internal finance leadership, outside advisory support, or fractional CFO leadership. How to define what the next level of financial leadership looks like for AEC firms as they grow in size, complexity, and strategic ambition. How to determine the systems, habits, and advisory support needed to move from reactive financial management to proactive firm leadership.