---
title: How FocusCFO Helped One Consulting Firm Go from Crisis to Acquisition
description: Learn how strategic financial guidance and mentorship from a Fractional CFO led to a successful acquisition for a mid-sized consulting firm in Florida.
---

[CFO Blog, CFO Resources, CFO Articles | FocusCFO ](https://www.focuscfo.com/blog)

# [How FocusCFO Helped One Consulting Firm Go from Crisis to Acquisition](https://www.focuscfo.com/blog/fractional-cfo-helped-consulting-business-acquisition)

 Written by [Jim Collins](https://www.focuscfo.com/blog/author/jim-collins) | May 12, 2026 5:00:34 PM

> “I needed someone to jump in and do the work. I didn’t have time to teach. Lori jumped in and was the best thing that happened to me. I would have never been able to be acquired if she wasn’t with me.”

**– Ashleigh Kirsten, Founder & CEO, AK Consultants & Healthcare (now part of **[**Griffin Resources**](https://griffin-resources.com/)**) **

 

## **The Situation**

Ashleigh Kirsten built AK Consultants & Healthcare into the nation's premier full-service growth management company for post-acute care businesses — growing her client portfolio by 300% and assembling a team of over 70 contractors. Then, in December 2023, she suddenly lost her CFO. She needed an immediate replacement with deep healthcare finance experience who could jump in without hand-holding. A same-day inquiry to FocusCFO led to a call the next morning with [Area President Jim Collins](https://www.focuscfo.com/fractional-cfo-team/jim-collins) and fractional CFO Lori Rothel, who had 20+ years of financial leadership in complex healthcare organizations.

## **What We Did**

Working at pace with a fast-moving CEO, their FocusCFO CFO:

- Cleaned up the books and closed out the company's fiscal year under urgent circumstances
- Built a pro forma and business development plan to guide the path forward
- Provided strategic financial guidance as Kirsten pursued investors and banking relationships
- Delivered executive-level coaching that helped Kirsten make high-stakes decisions with less emotion and more clarity
- Increased her engagement hours as additional leadership gaps emerged mid-engagement
- Supported the due diligence and transition process leading to a successful acquisition by Griffin Resources

## **The Result**

AK Consultants achieved a successful acquisition in 2024. Kirsten credits Rothel not only with stabilizing the business but with elevating her as a CEO.

*"She took me to a new level as a CEO. She helped me extract the emotions from some very tough decisions, and I was able to think more shrewdly. She became my right hand, and she gave me the sound advice and support I needed when I needed it." *

— Ashleigh Kirsten, Founder & CEO, AK Consultants & Healthcare

<https://www.focuscfo.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJTs9eMNBgCy0GDji5Nw6Ge%2BMqCofLLAnojd20Mt4JCT6wVKe%2BQ%2F8HTmbYzWN4lK4VIE0lqULMw9l4mhcFeMqFZFz5cO9B3%2B%2BZ8VL%2FQz6UYMd3IBtEAxskGOI7E6hV8%2B3v49%2BvW6VlL8isOpCHhD1WYJujue%2FCSarHXmWMg9LILT9pbIIJnEfNYMw03C%2Fo%3D&webInteractiveContentId=128070592622&portalId=21771462>

 

[View full post](https://www.focuscfo.com/blog/fractional-cfo-helped-consulting-business-acquisition)

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