Expert Financial Leadership
Without the Full-Time Cost

A Fractional CFO gives your business access to senior financial strategy and insight exactly when you need it. With over fifteen years of commercial finance experience, Damian Connolly brings the expertise of a Finance Director to your business on a flexible basis that works around you.

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Does any of this sound familiar?

Most business owners didn't set up shop so they could spend their evenings wrestling with numbers they don't quite trust, or lying awake wondering where the cash actually went this month. And yet so many growing businesses find themselves navigating exactly that kind of financial fog, without a senior finance professional in their corner to help make sense of it all.

Perhaps some of this feels close to home.

You're making big decisions, hiring, investing, expanding, without the financial clarity you'd really like to have behind you.
Your business is profitable on paper, but the bank balance keeps telling a different story.
You know you want to grow, but you're not sure how to fund it, structure it or manage the complexity that comes with scaling.
You've started thinking about an eventual exit, and you're honestly not sure whether your numbers are in good enough shape to make that happen well.
You have an accountant who takes care of your annual returns, but nobody looking at the bigger picture or helping you plan for what next year, or the next five years, might look like.

If even one of those struck a chord, a conversation with Damian is probably overdue.

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A Fractional CFO who feels like part of your team

Think of it as having a Finance Director working alongside you, just not full time. Damian steps in to lead your finance function, bring clarity to your numbers and guide the bigger decisions, all on a flexible basis that suits your business and your budget.

There are plenty of finance consultants who will review your figures and hand you a report. What sets Sakura apart is that Damian doesn't just tell you what has already happened, he helps you understand what it means, what to do about it, and how to build a business that's genuinely resilient for the years ahead. We follow a simple four-stage approach, so you always know what's coming next.

What does a Fractional CFO bring to your business?

Here is what working with a Fractional CFO from Sakura looks like in practice.

Strategic Expertise

Over fifteen years of financial leadership experience, spanning fundraising, exit planning and scaling businesses across Ireland and the UK.

Flexible Engagement

High-level financial guidance on your terms, whether that's a few days a month or a more intensive engagement during a period of growth.

Cash Flow Clarity

Clear, actionable cash flow strategies and forecasts that give you a real-time picture of your finances, and the confidence to act on it.

Reporting That Actually Helps

Management accounts and financial reports that tell you something useful. No jargon, just the insight you need to make better decisions, faster.

Exit Planning Support

Whether you're planning to sell in two years or ten, Sakura can start shaping the financial story of your business now, to help maximise its value.

Backed by a Full Team

Uniquely at Sakura, your Fractional CFO is supported by a full accountancy practice, so your compliance, bookkeeping and tax are all handled seamlessly alongside your strategic work.

Sheena Campbell

I have to do next to nothing to expedite matters... I think you are wonderful. Once again in a shorter time than it takes to say 'Damian, you are wonderful', you respond to my query. I have to do next to nothing to expedite matters and immediately any stress or worry is lifted.

Dominic Goodfellow

Fantastic company. Damian is clear, professional and very measured in his approach, which is welcomed. Excellent customer service. A breath of fresh air. Highly recommended.

Vic Kimmel

Damian Connolly and Sakura are like an extended part of our own team with super powers in the area of finance.

Liam Hughes

Damian’s critical eye and creative thinking have been invaluable for me over the last year of strategic review meetings

Caroline Durack

Working with Sakura gave us the ability to understand our finances more accurately and helped us in our strategic thinking. This in turn allowed us to make more informed decisions pertaining to our direction of travel as a business.

Eamon Chawke

Thanks to Damian’s advice and guidance, the finance team operates more efficiently and our financial visibility of the business has materially improved. We are now much more confident that we can achieve our 5 year goals !

Deirdre Monks

I got back in touch with Damian last November after a few years, and it honestly felt like no time had passed. He was the first person who came to mind when I had a very specific query, and I knew he was the expert to ask - and he absolutely delivered. Damian has a real talent for explaining things clearly and in plain English, which gave me total confidence in his advice. And rightly so, because everything he advised turned out to be 100% spot on. Highly recommend!

Evan Frechette

Damian was very helpful in his consultation, and took the necessary time to listen to my situation in great detail. His explanation for what I needed for my new business was very informative and knowledgeable.

Cyril Lynch

Damian and the team at Sakura provided great support when I set up my consulting company and on an ongoing basis they continue to provide professional, timely and reliable services with regard to the production and filing of annual accounts and the associated compliance requirements.
I would highly recommend Sakura Business Solutions for their dedication, commitment and ability to get the job done!

Ronan Reilly

Damian and the team at Sakura have provided excellent advice to me and also assisted a number of clients to whom Sakura have been recommended. Sakura advised in a professional and capable manner and now, post BREXIT, their offices in Dublin and London are likely to be very valuable to prospective clients seeking professional advice.

Cathy Moore

Sakura Business Solutions and Damian have provided invaluable guidance to our business as we transitioned from sole-trader to limited company. They have also advised us throughout the Covid-19 crisis and kept us fully updated on available government supports. The introduction of Quickbooks has been very useful to us, it is easy to navigate and a very effective tool for managing our accounts. We highly recommend Sakura Business for accountancy and business advice.

Jane Manzor

I have known Damian from Sakura Business Solutions for just over a year. He is a true professional and has been very helpful to me in particular in tax and planning advice. He is also very current and has been a huge help in keeping me up to date on government supports since Covid 19. I would highly recommend Damian and his team for all of your accounting and financial needs. 5 stars!

Jo-Anne Mac Millan

When I moved from my previous accountant, I was feeling overwhelmed and unsure about the financial side of my business. Accounts and bookkeeping aren’t my strong points, and I needed support I could trust. Damian and the team at Sakura stepped in and made the transition seamless. They handled the handover efficiently and took time to understand how my business works and what I needed from them. I’m no longer worried about year-end surprises, and I feel more confident making decisions. It’s been a genuinely positive shift, and I’m delighted I made the move to Sakura.

Jean Evans

Damian is a fountain of knowledge and is so generous with his time and knowledge around all things accounting, tax, scaling your business, getting exit ready and working to go international in business between Ireland and UK or vice versa.
He is a true gentleman, very approachable, particularly on topics that can feel and seem overwhelming. He is calm and patient; definitely an ally to have in your corner!

Not sure if a Fractional CFO is right for your business?

Download our free guide, 15 Signs You Need a Fractional CFO, and find out whether your business has reached the stage where senior financial leadership could make a real difference. It's a quick read, and it might be one of the most useful ten minutes you spend on your business this month.

Download the Guide →

Ready to find out what expert financial leadership could do for your business?

A Discovery Session with Damian is a relaxed, no-obligation conversation about where your business is, where you'd like it to go, and how a Fractional CFO could help you get there. There's no hard sell, just an honest conversation with someone who has helped businesses like yours navigate exactly this kind of challenge.