Executive Summary
- Area President Mike Deringer discusses his transition from an introverted, numbers-focused corporate CFO to an entrepreneurial leader focused on community impact.
- The Area President role allows experienced executives to build their own local practice by connecting small business owners with strategic fractional CFO resources.
- Discover how Mike leveraged his "power in a group" philosophy to bridge the gap between enterprise-level strategy and local small-business needs.
In an episode of the Inspired Stories podcast, Mike Deringer sat down with Anthony Codispoti to discuss a pivotal shift in his career. After decades as a corporate CFO, Mike transitioned into his current role as a FocusCFO Area President—a move that allowed him to flip his professional focus from internal reporting to high-impact business development and community building.
Choosing the Entrepreneurial Leap
By age 40, Mike reached a career crossroads. He had spent his career in the demanding world of public companies and recognized a glaring gap in the market: while large corporations could afford expensive consultants, small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) were often left without the high-level financial guidance they needed to thrive.
"I had what I thought was a brilliant idea to work with small businesses, because one thing I noticed was a lot of companies needed help. They usually needed some better accounting. They needed some better forecasting. Well, I thought if big companies struggle with this, what do small companies do?"
The Power of the Group: Meeting Brad Martyn
While Mike was navigating these thoughts, a friend suggested he talk to Brad Martyn, the founder of FocusCFO. Mike discovered that Brad had already developed a solid model that addressed exactly the market needs Mike had identified.
Mike chose to join the firm to leverage that collective power rather than starting something on his own. The Area President role offered him the opportunity to build a business of his own without a massive capital investment, while leveraging his deep expertise to give back.
What Is an Area President?
Area Presidents lead the way in their local market—connecting business owners with the FocusCFO resources they need to scale, succeed, and build lasting value. Unlike a traditional CFO who delivers services directly, an Area President focuses on:
- Relationship Development: Identifying and qualifying strategic opportunities in the local community.
- Building the "Sherpa Team": Hand-picking an elite team of fractional CFOs whose specific expertise matches the client’s unique needs.
- Market Growth: Acting as the regional bridge between world-class financial leadership and the entrepreneurs who need it.
The "Curious George" Philosophy
A hallmark of Mike’s leadership style is the small Curious George figurine he keeps attached to his backpack. While not a formal core value, this philosophy is central to how Mike delivers value to his team.
"The reason we carry it is to remind us to be curious," Mike explains. "To ask questions, and to not think you know what the answer is before you've even started. Before I tell a client what I do, I want to learn about them". Relentless curiosity allows Mike to dig past surface-level issues and help business owners find strategic clarity.
Redefine Your Next Chapter
If you are ready to transition away from the corporate grind and trade unsustainable hours for a high-impact, people-focused career, FocusCFO’s Area President role may be your logical next step. Leverage your years of experience and knowledge to help your local business community thrive.
If you're interested in making the shift to a meaningful, people-focused role, FocusCFO's Area President role may be the right fit for you. Explore the Area President Opportunity today.
