80/20 Consulting Review (2026): Project-Based and Interim CFO Services

80/20 Consulting is a finance and accounting consulting firm headquartered in Glendale, California, with an additional office in Dallas, Texas. The name references the Pareto Principle—that 80% of results typically come from 20% of effort—and their model is designed to quickly identify and fix the most critical financial issues facing their clients. With over 100 financial professionals averaging more than 20 years of experience, they represent a significant resource for companies needing targeted financial expertise rather than ongoing CFO coverage.

The firm's project-based model distinguishes it from traditional fractional CFO arrangements. Instead of a monthly retainer for continuous service, 80/20 engages on specific problems with defined scope and timeline. This works well for companies that have a specific, identifiable issue—a broken budgeting process, a financial model that does not reflect business reality, a need to clean up books before an audit, or a financial system implementation that requires experienced oversight. The firm curates a specialized expert for each engagement, with emphasis on the point that "there are never any handoffs or downgrades"—the person who wins your business is the person doing your work.

Their client roster is impressive, including major brands like NBCUniversal, Goldman Sachs, Disney, Warner Bros, Skechers, Realtor.com, and LegalZoom. This enterprise-level client base indicates the firm has credibility in sophisticated financial environments—a meaningful differentiator if your needs are complex or your industry has specific reporting requirements.

The 80/20 model complements (rather than replaces) ongoing CFO relationships. If you have a full-time CFO who needs support on a specific initiative—say, preparing for an IPO or implementing NetSuite—80/20 can provide that specialized expertise without requiring a permanent hire. Similarly, if you are between CFO hires and need someone to maintain financial leadership while you search, an interim CFO engagement through 80/20 can bridge that gap. The model does not work well for companies that need continuous, ongoing CFO presence—this is a solution for specific problems, not ongoing financial stewardship.

80/20 Consulting offers a comprehensive suite of finance and accounting consulting services:

Interim CFO/Controller: Temporary executive coverage for companies between permanent hires, undergoing leadership transitions, or needing experienced financial leadership during critical periods. This is a practical solution for companies that cannot afford a gap in financial leadership while searching for a full-time CFO.

FP&A (Financial Planning and Analysis): Building and improving financial planning processes, budgeting systems, and forecasting models. The firm helps companies move from reactive reporting to proactive planning—understanding future performance rather than just analyzing past results.

Financial Reporting: Improving the accuracy, timeliness, and usefulness of financial reporting. This includes both internal management reporting and external financial statements. Clients particularly highlight their work on budgeting process overhauls and financial model improvements.

IPO Readiness: Preparing companies for public offerings, including financial controls, reporting systems, audit preparation, and compliance with SEC requirements. IPO readiness is a specialized service that requires experience with the process—80/20 has supported companies through this transition.

M&A Due Diligence: Financial due diligence for acquisitions or mergers, helping buyers understand the target's financial condition and helping sellers prepare for a sale process. This includes both buy-side and sell-side work.

Financial Systems Implementation: Expertise with NetSuite, Workday, and other enterprise financial systems. Implementation support includes system selection, configuration, data migration, and team training. Multiple clients cite NetSuite implementation as a specific strength.

Private Equity Support: Specialized services for PE-backed companies, including portfolio company financial oversight, management reporting, and operational improvement.

AI and Automation Consulting: Helping companies leverage AI tools for financial processes, which is becoming increasingly relevant as AI capabilities expand.

Financial Turnaround: Restructuring financial operations for companies in distress or transitioning through difficult periods.

8020 Consulting operates on a project-based and hourly model rather than monthly retainers, which affects how pricing works compared to traditional fractional CFO arrangements:

Interim CFO/Controller: Typically structured as a daily or weekly rate for part-time or full-time temporary coverage. Rates vary based on the seniority and specific expertise required. Expect to invest $3,000-$8,000 per week for experienced interim CFO coverage, depending on role complexity.

Project Engagements: Fixed-scope projects priced based on complexity and estimated effort. Simple process fixes may run $15,000-$30,000. Complex engagements involving multiple workstreams (such as IPO readiness or financial system implementation) typically range $75,000-$250,000+.

Hourly Consultation: Available for specific advisory needs where project scope is less defined. Senior consultant rates typically range $350-$600/hour depending on expertise and demand.

Pricing varies significantly based on scope, timeline, and the specific expertise required. The firm does not publicly disclose standard rates—each engagement is custom-quoted based on client needs. When evaluating 8020 against alternatives, consider that project-based pricing can be more cost-effective for specific, bounded problems since you pay for deliverables rather than ongoing availability.

The firm can be contacted at 855-367-8020 or through their website for project inquiries. Given the enterprise-level clients they serve (NBCUniversal, Goldman Sachs, Disney), their pricing is likely positioned at a premium level reflecting the quality of their professionals. For smaller companies with limited budgets, this may not be the right fit—but for companies with complex needs and enterprise-grade challenges, the expertise may justify the investment.

80/20 Consulting serves a diverse client base across industries, with particular depth in sectors that have complex financial reporting requirements, significant capital market activity, or sophisticated financial operations. Their client roster includes major entertainment companies (NBCUniversal, Disney, Warner Bros), financial institutions (Goldman Sachs), and growth-stage technology companies (Realtor.com, LegalZoom). This enterprise credibility is a meaningful differentiator for companies with complex needs that require consultants who have operated at that level.

The firm works across industries including technology, media and entertainment, financial services, consumer, healthcare, and private equity-backed companies. Their private equity support services are specifically designed for portfolio companies that need financial expertise without the commitment of a full-time hire.

Ideal clients for 80/20 typically have the following characteristics: complex financial operations (multiple entities, multiple investors, international operations), specific identifiable problems that need expert resolution, and budgets adequate to engage premium consulting support. The project-based model works particularly well when you have a defined problem with a clear endpoint—budget process overhaul, system implementation, IPO preparation—rather than ongoing advisory needs.

Companies that should look elsewhere include those with straightforward financial needs and limited budgets, organizations seeking ongoing fractional CFO support (the model does not support this well), and early-stage companies that do not yet have the complexity requiring enterprise-grade consulting expertise. For ongoing CFO relationships, a dedicated fractional CFO provider with a retainer model is typically a better fit.