For established farms, farms adding a new enterprise, and people getting into farming who need to know their numbers first. Independent financial management from a former banker who knows what your lender needs to see.
For piggeries, cattle and sheep businesses that are running now. We find the costs leaking out of the business, keep the cashflow current and have the bank pack ready before the review.
Services for established farmsThinking of adding pigs to a cattle place, cattle to a sheep run, or livestock to a cropping farm? We budget the new enterprise beside the existing one and map the cashflow through the build-up, so you and the bank can see whether it stacks up.
Adding an enterpriseFor people who want to farm and need a realistic start-up budget first: what it costs, how long until the money comes in, and what a lender will want to see. Start with our plain guides, then we can build the budget with you.
New to farmingMost farm businesses carry significant debt but have nobody watching the numbers between one bank review and the next. Your accountant prepares the tax return and the bank asks its questions once a year. In between, decisions about feed, stock and machinery get made without a cashflow to test them against.
Farm CFO fills that gap, whether you're running an established farm, adding a new enterprise or getting into farming for the first time. We prepare enterprise budgets, monthly cashflow forecasts and bank review packs, find the costs leaking out of the business through Farm Optimiser, and for clients on a retainer we act as a part-time CFO, keeping the numbers current every month and sitting in on meetings with the bank.
We don't prepare tax returns or BAS, so your accountant stays your accountant, and we work alongside your vet, nutritionist, agronomist and stock agent rather than doing their jobs.
Most livestock businesses lose money in lines nobody looks at closely: feed bought at the wrong time, freight and selling costs that crept up, repairs on tired gear, contract work and overdraft interest that comes from the timing of sales.
Farm Optimiser is a one-month deep dive into your costs, operating practices and balance sheet. You get written recommendations ranked by dollar value, and training for you and your team to keep the gains.
Every fee is confirmed in writing before work starts. If a Health Check leads to more work within 60 days, the $850 is credited in full.
$850 + GST ($935 incl. GST)
Three years of your financials turned into the ratios a credit team checks, with a written report.
$1,850 + GST ($2,035 incl. GST)
Everything the bank asks for at the annual review, done before they ask.
$3,100 + GST ($3,410 incl. GST)
A one-month deep dive to find the profit leaking out of the business, then recommendations and training to fix it.
$3,900 per year + GST ($4,290 incl. GST)
The Bank Review Pack, then three check-ins through the year against what actually happened.
$800 per month + GST ($880 incl. GST)
Your farm's CFO, part-time. Monthly numbers, a rolling cashflow and someone beside you at the bank.
Larger one-off jobs, such as buying a neighbouring block or expanding a piggery, are quoted before work starts. Compare all services.
Pigs, cattle and sheep each bring in money at different times of the year. Your budget and cashflow should be built around how your stock actually pay.
Example cattle and sheep business. Illustrative figures in $'000.
Poor season: cattle 20% cheaper and an extra $60k of feed. The year closes $118k lower but stays inside the limit.
Call or send an enquiry. We'll talk through what's coming up and which service fits, at no cost.
Three years of financial statements, loan details and access to your Xero or your accountant's files.
Nick visits on farm where he can, or meets by video, to go through the year ahead.
You get the finished budget, cashflow or pack, explained in plain English, ready for the bank.
Nick started as a banker at Greater Bank and has spent more than 8 years in commercial finance since. He knows what makes a credit team comfortable: the strongest applications aren't always from the biggest businesses, but from owners who can show their numbers clearly and explain what they'd do in a bad year.
Nick also worked on farms for four years and prepared stud pigs for show. He has announced the pig section at the Sydney Royal Easter Show for the past five years.
Work out your cashflow, your bank ratios and your margins yourself, on Australian figures. No sign-up, and nothing you type leaves your browser.
New to farming? Start with our plain guide to the money side, or read what farm loans, RIC loans and drought support are available.
Yes. Farm CFO doesn't prepare tax returns or BAS or give tax advice, so your accountant keeps all of that. We work from the same numbers, usually your Xero file, and plan ahead rather than report on last year.
Not through Farm CFO. Equipment and vehicle finance is arranged by Levelhead Business Advisors, which is run by the same company, through The Lending Lab under Australian Credit Licence 387856. Livestock finance isn't offered there: we refer you to stock agents and lenders that offer it, such as Elders, and receive no referral fee. If you use Levelhead Business Advisors, it earns a commission from the lender, which is disclosed to you in writing before you decide. You're free to take your bank pack to any lender.
Your last three years of financial statements, your loan and overdraft details, and access to your Xero or your accountant's files. For piggeries we'll also ask for herd performance figures, and for cattle and sheep your stock numbers and sale history.
Most of the work is done by phone and video, so you're not waiting on a visit to get an answer. Farm CFO retainer clients get an on-farm visit once a year, and Nick visits east coast clients more often when there's a reason to.
If things are tight, the Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW offers free, confidential help on 1800 319 458, and we're happy to put you in touch. Farm CFO suits businesses planning ahead, whether that's a bank review, a major purchase or a change in the stock mix.
We work with farm businesses anywhere in Australia. The monthly work is done by phone and video, using your Xero file and your accountant's statements, so where your farm sits doesn't change what you get.
Nick is based at Cooranbong and visits clients on the east coast regularly when there's a reason to, including Dubbo and Forbes every month. Further afield, clients can cover travel costs for one visit on farm each year. Every Farm CFO retainer client gets an on-farm visit once a year.
We work with farm businesses Australia-wide by phone and video, with regular farm visits on the east coast. Get in touch for a no-obligation chat about what you need and what it would cost.
