Dave Franckowiak is an experienced finance executive, educator, and advisor who helps entrepreneurs and business owners build stronger, more resilient companies. As the founder of Franckowiak CFO LLC, he provides fractional and project-based CFO services that help leaders gain clarity around their numbers, improve financial performance, and make confident, data-driven decisions.
Strategic Finance Partner for Entrepreneurs
Dave works primarily with privately held and founder-led companies—often at the stage where financial management becomes too complex for a bookkeeper but doesn’t yet justify a full-time CFO. He brings a hands-on approach that blends financial rigor with practical business insight, helping clients:
- Establish clear financial reporting and forecasting processes
- Strengthen cash flow management and working capital discipline
- Evaluate growth opportunities and capital investments
- Support debt financing or investor discussions
- Build sustainable financial structures to support scaling
His goal is to help entrepreneurs understand what drives value in their business and how to translate that insight into better strategy, smarter execution, and improved results.
Background & Approach
Dave began his career in audit at PricewaterhouseCoopers before moving into senior finance roles—including Controller, VP of Finance, and CFO—within privately held and private-equity-backed companies. Drawing on this experience, he brings both corporate discipline and entrepreneurial flexibility to his advisory work.
He’s known for being both a strategic thinker and a roll-up-your-sleeves operator, able to move seamlessly from the boardroom to the spreadsheet. His work often includes building models, mentoring accounting teams, and guiding leadership through key financial decisions.
Educator & Mentor
In addition to his advisory practice, Dave serves as an Adjunct Faculty member at DePaul University’s Driehaus College of Business, where he teaches courses in Accounting and Business. He currently teaches BUS 101 Business Fundamentals & the Entrepreneurial Mindset. His teaching reflects his belief that every business leader should have a clear grasp of how financial information drives opportunity and growth.
Personal Interests
Outside of his professional work, Dave enjoys lake life and serves as Treasurer of the Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Fund and Recording Officer of the Maxinkuckee Yacht Club.