Finance Professionals: Insights & Resources

Fractional CFOs in Washington DC Making Things Happen

Ryan Stevens
April 3, 2025
All Insights
Finance Professionals: Insights & Resources

Fractional CFOs in Washington DC Making Things Happen in 2025

Washington Interim Chief Financial Officers to Know

The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area isn’t just the epicenter of government and policy—it’s a thriving region for startups, nonprofits, venture-backed tech, healthcare innovation, and complex service businesses. In this ecosystem, financial leadership is non-negotiable—but full-time CFOs aren’t always the right fit.

That’s where fractional CFOs come in.

For founders, operators, and executive teams in DC, fractional financial leaders offer strategic insight and operational support—without the cost or commitment of a permanent hire. These are professionals who step into high-stakes environments, create structure out of chaos, and drive capital efficiency, cash runway, board confidence, and more.

At Digital Reference, we’ve curated a list of independent and regional fractional CFOs across Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland who are actively engaged in growing companies and nonprofits alike. Some run their own firms. Others operate solo. All are worth knowing.

How We Curate: Methodology That Matters

Our approach at Digital Reference is built around transparency and trust. These lists aren’t pay-to-play—they’re independently curated using the following criteria:

  • The executive is based in or primarily serving the DC-VA-MD-WV metro

  • They are actively offering fractional or interim CFO services

  • Their background includes financial leadership, operational excellence, or investor relations

  • They maintain a public presence via LinkedIn, firm websites, or referral networks

  • We consider diversity of experience, sector coverage, and client stage fit

Now let’s meet the CFOs helping DC’s companies scale with confidence.

Washington DC-Area Fractional CFOs to Know

🔹 Meredith Nicklas

Founder, The CFO Solution | Fractional CFO for Growth & Impact-Oriented Organizations
Meredith leads The CFO Solution, a fractional CFO firm serving small businesses, mission-driven startups, and nonprofits across the region. Her background blends deep accounting rigor with practical executive leadership, giving clients both strategic foresight and operational discipline. She’s especially known for helping organizations prepare for funding, navigate complex audits, and improve financial storytelling to boards and stakeholders.

🔹 Gireaud Joseph

Founder & Principal CFO, BATS LLC | Strategic Advisor to Government-Facing Entities
Gireaud specializes in financial leadership for firms operating in highly regulated, government-adjacent, or compliance-heavy environments. Through BATS LLC, he supports businesses with FP&A, pricing strategy, contract readiness, and risk mitigation. His experience is especially relevant for small businesses and government contractors looking to professionalize operations and build sustainable back-office functions.

🔹 JD Slough

Fractional CFO | Tech, Services & Early-Stage Finance Expert
JD has spent over two decades helping early- and growth-stage companies improve financial clarity and investor readiness. He’s adept at forecasting, scenario planning, financial modeling, and providing the strategic partnership CEOs need when facing decisions about growth, headcount, or fundraising. Based in the DC region, JD works with startups and small companies across tech, services, and consulting.

🔹 Shondra Washington

Fractional CFO | Founder-Centric Financial Operator | DEI-Driven Finance Leader
Shondra is a rising force in the world of financial operations—particularly for diverse founders, early-stage ventures, and mission-led brands. With a background in both corporate finance and entrepreneurial support, she brings clarity and empathy to every engagement. Her advisory style blends financial literacy with tactical planning, helping companies build resilience through smart cash management and strategic decision-making.

Why Fractional CFOs Are Vital in the DC Region

From Arlington tech startups to Bethesda nonprofits and everything in between, financial complexity in the DC area runs deep. The region’s blend of:

  • Government contracts

  • Grant-funded orgs and NGOs

  • High-growth startups and scale-ups

  • Professional service firms

…means the CFO role can’t be one-size-fits-all.

Fractional CFOs offer a modern alternative:

  • They bring senior-level strategy without long-term payroll impact

  • They can quickly deliver board-ready insights, audit prep, and cashflow planning

  • They support key transitions like fundraising, mergers, or leadership changes

  • They flex across project-based, part-time, or interim scopes

Whether you're getting investor-ready, managing through a cash crunch, or navigating new compliance requirements, a seasoned fractional CFO can shift your trajectory without the full-time burden.

Related Reads from Digital Reference

📘 How to Hire a Fractional Executive: A Guide for Founders and Operators
This is your tactical playbook for identifying, vetting, and onboarding the right fractional leader for your business stage.

🔍 Fractional CFOs Near Me 

Explore how other metros are using interim revenue leaders—and what lessons DC can draw from their examples.

Final Word: Regional CFO Talent That Delivers

The executives on this list are actively helping companies across the DC area build, scale, and stabilize their financial operations. Whether you’re an early-stage founder, a CEO managing growth, or a nonprofit leader seeking strategic insight, these fractional CFOs can meet you where you are.

This list will evolve over time—so if you know someone we should add, or if you're a DC-based fractional CFO yourself, drop us a line at hello@digitalreference.co.

Subscribe to our newsletter

We'd love to have you follow our journey, learn about to new features and functionality, and get access to talent ecosystem news.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Related posts

Explore Digital Reference to discover what leading professionals in your field are working on and uncover the humans behind the work.