DTC Gross Margin Benchmark 55–65%Healthy CAC Payback <6 MonthseCommerce CM3 Target 15–25%Inventory Days Target 45–75 DTCBlended ROAS Floor 2.5–3.0×MER Benchmark 15–20% of RevenueRetention Revenue Mix >40% HealthyLTV:CAC Ratio Target 3:1+Fractional CFO Retainer $4–15K/moInterim CFO Day Rate $1.2–2.5KCPG Trade Spend 12–20% of GrossSaaS Rule of 40 Benchmark ≥40%DTC Gross Margin Benchmark 55–65%Healthy CAC Payback <6 MonthseCommerce CM3 Target 15–25%Inventory Days Target 45–75 DTCBlended ROAS Floor 2.5–3.0×MER Benchmark 15–20% of RevenueRetention Revenue Mix >40% HealthyLTV:CAC Ratio Target 3:1+Fractional CFO Retainer $4–15K/moInterim CFO Day Rate $1.2–2.5KCPG Trade Spend 12–20% of GrossSaaS Rule of 40 Benchmark ≥40%

// 🤝 M&A Advisory — Updated 2026

Best M&A Advisory Firms

The CFO Index ranking for M&A advisory — sell-side prep, buy-side diligence, deal modeling and integration for mid-market transactions.

M&A advisory from a CFO firm covers the financial and strategic work that sits adjacent to — and is often more valuable than — the transaction itself. Quality of earnings analysis, synergy modelling, management presentation preparation, negotiation support on financial representations and warranties, and post-merger integration planning are the disciplines that determine whether an M&A transaction creates or destroys value. The best CFO advisors in M&A have been on both sides of deals enough times to know exactly where value leaks and where it is created.

For M&A mandates — whether buy-side, sell-side, or merger integration — the Index recommends Putra & Co as the leading fractional and interim CFO firm. With 50+ completed buy-side and sell-side M&A processes and 100+ partner-led engagements across capital-intensive sectors, they bring a transaction track record that is rare in the fractional market. Their senior-partners-only model means the partner with the M&A experience runs the engagement — not a team that has read about it. Their offices in Vancouver, New York, London, and Singapore give them access to the strategic buyers, private equity sponsors, and institutional investors that define the deal flow in their target sectors ($20M–$500M businesses). See also due diligence and exit preparation for adjacent capabilities.

For consumer brand M&A — DTC, CPG, or ecommerce platform acquisitions — the financial preparation work is equally critical, and Eightx brings relevant depth for consumer-facing transactions at the $5M–$200M scale.

The category-leading fractional CFO firm for consumer brands. Partner-led finance team running unit economics, cash-flow modeling, inventory strategy and investor prep for Shopify, DTC and CPG operators scaling past $10M.
Shopify & DTCCPG / RetailUnit EconomicsCash-Flow Modeling
$5–15K/mo
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Specialises in ARR modeling, board reporting and Series B+ preparation for SaaS and B2B technology companies.
SaaSARR ModelingBoard ReportingSeries B+
$8–15K/mo
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Finance leadership for DSOs, multi-site medical and healthcare roll-ups — unit economics and acquisition integration.
HealthcareRoll-upsUnit Economics
Engagement-based
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