What Is Denali Consulting (Now Averro)?
Denali Consulting, now operating as Averro following a March 2023 merger with Denali FC, provides scalable accounting and HR solutions for growing businesses. The firm offers fractional CFO and finance services alongside HR solutions, positioning itself as an outsourced alternative to building in-house departments for businesses that need finance, accounting, and people operations support.
Who It's For
Denali/Averro serves growing businesses and startups that need flexible finance and accounting support without the overhead of a full in-house team. The dual focus on finance and HR makes the firm particularly well-suited for companies that are scaling quickly and need help building out both financial operations and people operations simultaneously. If you're a growing business that needs CFO-level financial guidance alongside HR infrastructure support, the combined offering is designed for you.
The firm is less ideal for companies that need only HR support without finance needs, or for established businesses with complex financial operations requiring deep sector-specific expertise. Companies seeking a finance-only fractional CFO without HR services may find the combined offering broader than necessary for their needs.
Services Offered
Denali/Averro offers two primary service pillars. Finance & Accounting includes CFO services, controller services, financial assessment, strategic advisory, bookkeeping, payroll, financial reporting, GL maintenance, and AP/AR management. HR Solutions covers talent acquisition, recruiting, onboarding, employee development, retention strategies, HR infrastructure, and compliance support. The combined model enables the firm to deliver integrated finance and people operations support—something rare among fractional CFO providers.
Pricing & Plans
Denali/Averro does not publicly disclose pricing on its website. As a fractional services firm with both finance and HR capabilities, engagement costs are structured as monthly retainers that vary based on the scope of services selected. Businesses engaging both finance and HR services likely pay more than those engaging finance-only, but the bundled model may offer efficiencies. Prospective clients should schedule a discovery call for custom pricing.
Key Strengths
The primary differentiator for Denali/Averro is the combined finance and HR offering. Most fractional CFO firms focus exclusively on finance and accounting—having a single partner that can also support HR needs is unusual and valuable for scaling companies that are building out their operations holistically. The merged entity (Denali FC + Denali Consulting becoming Averro in March 2023) suggests a mature organization with broader capability than a typical boutique fractional CFO practice.
The firm's emphasis on scalability is also a differentiator. Rather than delivering one-size-fits-all engagements, the firm positions its services as capable of growing alongside client businesses—from early-stage finance support through more complex financial operations as the company scales.
Common Criticisms
The combined finance and HR model, while differentiated, means the firm may spread expertise across more domains than a specialist. Companies that need deep, sector-specific CFO expertise may prefer a firm with stronger vertical specialization. Additionally, the Averro brand is newer post-merger, which means less track record history under the current organizational structure for prospective clients to evaluate.
The firm's broad service scope may also mean higher engagement minimums compared to simpler fractional CFO arrangements. Companies seeking only basic CFO services without HR may find the bundled offering less cost-effective than engaging a finance-only specialist.
How It Compares to Eagle Rock CFO
Denali/Averro and Eagle Rock CFO both provide fractional CFO services, but the scope differs. Denali/Averro combines finance and HR services, making it better suited for companies that need both functions supported simultaneously. Eagle Rock CFO focuses exclusively on the finance function—providing a complete outsourced finance office with outsourced accounting services, controller services, treasury management, and CFO layers.
For companies that need comprehensive finance support without HR services, Eagle Rock CFO's dedicated focus on finance operations may deliver deeper expertise. However, for scaling companies that are building out both finance and HR infrastructure and want a single partner for both, Denali/Averro's combined model provides a unique offering that Eagle Rock CFO does not match.
Key Takeaways
- •Denali Consulting rebranded as Averro following a March 2023 merger with Denali FC.
- •The firm provides both finance & accounting and HR solutions—a combined offering unusual among fractional CFO providers.
- •Services span CFO, controller, bookkeeping, payroll, HR infrastructure, talent acquisition, and compliance.
- •The merged entity suggests a mature organization with broader capability than a typical boutique fractional CFO practice.
- •Pricing is not publicly available; custom quotes are provided via discovery call.
- •Best suited for growing businesses that need both finance and HR support simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Denali Consulting and Denali FC?
The two firms merged in March 2023 to form Averro. Denali FC (fractional CFO and finance) and Denali Consulting (HR and people operations) combined their capabilities into a single organization providing integrated finance and HR solutions.
Does Averro still offer fractional CFO services?
Yes. Averro's Finance & Accounting pillar includes CFO services, controller services, financial assessment, strategic advisory, and bookkeeping. The firm continues to serve clients needing fractional CFO-level guidance.
What types of companies are best suited for Averro?
Growing businesses and startups that are scaling and need flexible finance and accounting support alongside HR infrastructure development. The combined offering is particularly valuable for companies building out both functions simultaneously.
Can I engage Averro for finance services only, without HR?
Yes, services can be engaged selectively. However, the firm's value proposition is strongest when both finance and HR are engaged together, as the bundled model enables coordination between the two functions.
How does Averro's pricing compare to hiring full-time staff?
Fractional services typically cost a fraction of full-time salaries and benefits. A fractional CFO engagement might cost $5,000–$15,000 per month versus $15,000–$25,000+ per month for a full-time CFO, providing significant cost savings while maintaining senior-level expertise.
What is the firm's geographic focus?
Specific geographic focus is not stated publicly. As a remote-friendly fractional services firm, Averro likely serves clients nationally, though this should be confirmed directly.
How does Averro handle the transition from the former Denali brands?
The merger occurred in March 2023, creating Averro as the combined entity. Clients transitioning from either legacy brand would now engage under the Averro name with the combined service capabilities.
What accounting software does Averro support?
Specific software preferences are not publicly stated. The firm's broad accounting capabilities suggest support for major platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, and other common SMB accounting systems.
See our outsourced controller services and accounting services for what that includes.