Finding Financial Solutions

Finding Financial Solutions

SOURCE: GO GILBERT! MAGAZINE DATE: 09/21/2011 Businesses in the spotlight Finding Financial Solutions: Jerry Mills uses his expertise to give corporate-level financial support to small and mid-size businesses By: SUSAN LANIER-GRAHAM In the mid-1980s, Jerry Mills was a manager at the accounting giant Arthur Anderson & Company in Phoenix. He examined the market and found a very real gap in support for mid-market companies. Mills realized that businesses often fall into traps in a time of growth because of the inability to manage cash flow effectively. While that management job falls to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in larger corporations, budgets don’t usually allow small and mid-sized businesses to fill that role. That’s where Mills knew he could help. In 1987, he launched B2B CFO to offer financial and management solutions to small and medium-sized companies. “Every company needs a CFO, but not every company can afford one. Our model makes it possible,” Mills explains. “Just as a company doesn’t need a full-time attorney, it doesn’t need a full-time CFO. We are there when they need us.” He adds that his company strives to provide customers with a sophisticated service at a cost they can afford. What began out of his home two decades ago now has more than 174 partners across the country, servicing more than 550 clients with combined annual sales totaling $5 billion and employing 30,000 people. For the second year in a row, Inc. magazine has named B2B CFO to the Inc. 500/5000 list of fastest-growing companies in America. “To be awarded this, especially during a recession, is quite an accomplishment,” Mills explains. “It’s also...
B2B CFO® Ranks in Arizona’s Top 25 Fastest Growing Companies

B2B CFO® Ranks in Arizona’s Top 25 Fastest Growing Companies

B2BCF0 RANK: No. 23 on the fast-growth list FOUNDER AND CEO: Jerry Mills HQ: Phoenix FOUNDED: 1987 EMPLOYEES: 197 partners across 39 states and four full-time employees in Mesa  REVENUE INCREASE, 2009-10: 46.5 percent Q&A with founder Jerry L. Mills How do you maintain fast growth through the years? Maintaining steady, fast growth has been a matter of setting goals and then working diligently to build an infrastructure that supports our team and allows us to achieve our goals. It is also a matter of constant evaluation and making periodic adjustments to the process of the goal achievement. For example, when new technologies become available or when a process can be improved, we need to always adjust our course — first direction, then velocity. How does growth become a part of your business culture? I review my goals weekly. I also leverage the expertise and help from a personal coach who goes over my goals with me and helps me augment and expand them, causing me to stretch and grow at all times. I go over our goal achievements each month with the staff so the team will constantly have our progress in front of them. Making sure everyone knows the direction and the goals is crucial to our success. Looking out 12 months, what is your greatest obstacle to continued growth? I see absolutely no obstacles that will impede our ability to achieve and meet our...
Jerry Mills Named Among Top 100 Small Business Influencers

Jerry Mills Named Among Top 100 Small Business Influencers

Jerry L. Mills Named in the Inaugural Ranking that Honors People and Corporations with Significant Impact on North American Small Business Market    Phoenix, Ariz.,  August 22, 2011  —   Jerry L. Mills, founder and chief executive officer of B2B CFO was named  among the “Top 100 Small Business Influencers” in North America in an inaugural awards program created jointly by Small Business Trends and Small Business Technology. Small Business Influencer recognition was established to honor companies, organizations and people who have made a significant impact on the North American small business market. Over 125,000 votes were cast, on behalf of 520 nominees.   In addition to the votes, the top 100 were decided by an expert panel of Judges with deep and wide knowledge of the small business market. The Judges’ votes weighted 60%, along with the community votes at 40%, to choose the final 100 Small Business Influencers. All honorees will be recognized at the Awards Gala and Reception in New York City on September 13, 2011. “I’m honored to be recognized among such a great group of thought leaders and service providers to the SMB market,” said Jerry L. Mills, founder and CEO of B2B CFO.  “It is a great tribute to the growth of our firm and the need for the services we provide to small businesses around the country.” B2B CFO’s growth is reflected in numerous awards.  The company made the prestigious Inc. 5000 list for two consecutive years as well as in ACE Corporate Growth Awards, which recognizes the 25 most successful and fastest growing private companies in Arizona.   B2B CFO was also named the...
US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NAMES B2B CFO AMONG FREE ENTERPRISE HONOREES

US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NAMES B2B CFO AMONG FREE ENTERPRISE HONOREES

 Another National Accolade for B2B CFO Phoenix, Ariz., March 2011  —  B2B CFO was named as one of the 25 Free Enterprise Honorees announced by The U.S. Chamber of Commerce as part of the 2011 Blue Ribbon Small Business Award competition. The Chamber recognized B2B CFO as a Free Enterprise Honoree, applauding the firm’s growth and contributions to the economy. In a memo informing about the recognition U.S. Chamber representative Margaret Shepard stated:  “We are proud to recognize your business’ success story and are impressed with your company’s accomplishments.” The Awards Program is designed to commend businesses across the nation for their strong business practices and contributions to the economy.  Award criteria were based on staff training and motivation, community involvement, customer service and business strategies and goals. B2B CFO will be recognized at the US Chamber’s Small Business Summit which will take place this May in Washington, DC.   “We are honored to be recognized among the nation’s leading businesses at the Small Business Summit,” said Jerry L. Mills, founder and CEO of B2B CFO.  “It is a great tribute to the growth of our firm and the need for the services we provide to small businesses around the country.” B2B CFO’s growth is reflected in numerous awards.  The company made the prestigious Inc. 5000 list and was also recently named in ACE Corporate Growth Awards, which recognized the 25 most successful and fastest growing private companies in Arizona. As of February 2011, B2B CFO has grown to 185 Partners across 39 states, representing more than 5,200 years of cumulative experience.  Each Partner is a seasoned financial executive who...