In today’s fast-changing business environment, strategic financial leadership has become indispensable, but not every company can justify a full-time CFO. Recognising this gap, AE Business Advisors offers a Fractional CFO Function: a solution that gives Maltese businesses access to senior-level financial expertise on a flexible, scalable basis.

At the helm of this initiative, Michael Spiteri Bailey, Director of Growth & Vision, at AE Business Advisors, explains how this approach helps organisations make more informed, forward-looking decisions without the overheads of traditional executive hiring. “For many growing businesses, the need for strategic financial direction arrives long before they’re ready to commit to a full-time CFO,” says Mr Spiteri Bailey. “Our Fractional CFO Function bridges that gap – providing high-level insight, structure, and financial control, but on terms that match each client’s stage of growth.”

A strategic extension of the business

AE Business Advisors’ Fractional CFO Function is not an outsourced accounting service; it’s an embedded partnership. The firm’s team integrates within each client’s operations, focusing on strategy, forecasting, and sustainable financial performance rather than day-to-day bookkeeping.

As businesses expand, Mr Spiteri Bailey notes, financial management often becomes too complex for basic bookkeeping alone. “That’s usually when owners realise that while they understand their business inside out, they simply don’t have the time to step back and develop the financial strategy it needs to grow sustainably,” he explains. “Our role is to give them that clarity, to ensure their financial framework evolves as quickly as their ambitions.”

Flexibility and value at the core

One of the key advantages of AE’s model is flexibility. Clients can scale the level of support up or down as their needs evolve – from periodic strategic reviews to ongoing CFO-level involvement.

This adaptability is proving particularly valuable in the current economic landscape, where volatility and rapid change demand both agility and foresight. “We’ve built the function to be completely modular,” says Mr Spiteri Bailey. “Some clients engage us for targeted support, such as cash flow management or financial modelling, while others prefer a continuous partnership where we act as their external CFO. The structure adapts around their business, not the other way around.”

The power of multidisciplinary expertise

AE Business Advisors’ team brings together licensed professionals with expertise in finance, strategy, legal, and corporate governance – a combination that Mr Spiteri Bailey describes as essential for modern business advisory.

“A solid financial strategy doesn’t exist in isolation,” he notes. “It must align with legal frameworks, operational realities, and long-term strategic vision. Having all those skill sets under one roof allows us to provide truly integrated advice that drives growth and mitigates risk.”

He adds that AE’s experience extends beyond a single industry. “Because we work with multiple clients across different sectors, we’re able to transfer insights, benchmark best practices, and bring a broader perspective to each engagement. That cross-industry experience is one of our greatest strengths.”

A trusted partner for Maltese businesses

Since its introduction, the Fractional CFO Function has attracted significant interest from business owners who want professional insight without expanding their payroll. AE’s model combines the rigour of a senior finance function with the accessibility of an advisory partnership.

“We see ourselves as part of our clients’ teams,” says Mr Spiteri Bailey. “Our goal is to give them clarity, control, and confidence – the kind of financial foundation that allows them to focus on what they do best: running and growing their business.”

As more Maltese businesses look to professionalise their operations and navigate increasingly complex financial environments, AE Business Advisors’ Fractional CFO Function is proving to be a timely and transformative solution, one that blends expertise, flexibility, and strategic thinking in equal measure.

As part of its commitment to supporting business growth, AE Business Advisors will host an SME Business Breakfast on Thursday, 4th December, at the Hyatt Regency, St Julian’s, bringing together SME owners and decision-makers for a morning of insights and practical strategies for 2026. Register your interest here.

To learn more about AE’s Fractional CFO Function and other services, visit ae.com.mt or follow AE Business Advisors on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.