Expert CFO Services for Small Businesses

Ready to stop figuring it out on your own?

Meet Our Team

Mission Statement

Backbone CFO exists to align business ambition & finances by optimizing cash flow & profitability.

Core Values

Empathy: Always seeing and understanding the perspective of our clients, colleagues, and partners.
Energy: Always giving the best of our efforts in a fun and life-giving way.
Expertise: Always leading the way in business growth, finance, technology, and process competency.
Integrity: Always do the right thing.

Jim Emerich

Founder, Fractional CFO

Jim Emerich holds the title of both founder of and CFO at Backbone CFO. His professional career boasts many accomplishments, including Chief Financial Officer at Parts Life Inc.

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Melissa Zinni

Vice President, Fractional CFO

Melissa Zinni is a senior financial executive with over 20 years of expertise in large organizations…

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Megan Christman

Fractional CFO

After 15+ years in both corporate settings at Whole Foods and Transamerica Auto Parts, Megan embraced her….

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Lukas Sundahl

Fractional CFO

Lukas is a financial storyteller that uses financial data, analytics and strategy to tell a company where ….

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Stephanie Stocker, EA

Tax Advisor

Nicole Philippi

Executive Assistant

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Megan Christman

Fractional CFO

After 15+ years in both Corporate settings at Whole Foods and Transamerica Auto Parts, Megan embraced her love of helping entrepreneurs and small business owners. Her expertise is developing and executing financial strategy that aligns with the goals of her clients. Her aim is to make an impact through collaboration with clients, partners and colleagues. With her years of experience managing teams, and her primary objective to achieve 110% of any goal, she moves mountains to create clarity around the future state of her client’s business.

Lukas Sundahl

Fractional CFO

Lukas is a financial storyteller that uses financial data, analytics and strategy to tell a company where it has been and the reasons why it achieved specific results. He discusses the future based on growth forecasts and other strategic plans that will help achieve success over time. In addition to being a Certified Management Accountant Lukas also carries the Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis Credential from the IMA. The CSCA allows him to take his accounting experience and knowledge to further his executive-level perspective.

Jim Emerich

Founder, CFO

Jim Emerich holds the title of both founder of and CFO at Backbone CFO. His professional career boasts many accomplishments, including Chief Financial Officer at Parts Life Inc. During his time at PLI, he led efforts to acquire DeVal Life Cycle Support (formerly DeVal Corporation), as well as LC Engineers, Inc. and successfully integrated both companies into the PLI family. He has closed over $20M in financing deals including acquisition, real estate, working capital and equipment financing. Though he experienced an exciting career trajectory, in his heart he knew small business was always near and dear. This passion ultimately led him to focus on launching Backbone CFO with the primary purpose of creating clarity for growth-minded business owners.

Melissa Zinni

CFO

Melissa Zinni is a senior financial executive with over 20 years of expertise in large organizations. She has held the position of Chief Financial Officer for Hampton Behavioral Health Center and Maryville, Incorporated, where she combined her financial expertise with leadership, people operations, and behavioral knowledge. Her passion for developing strategic plans for operational and long-term financial success has given her countless interactions with C-Suite executives and directors. As a result of her detail-oriented work ethic, Melissa has also developed financial software and managed information systems for more than 300 users in 17 different locations. She is passionate about financial success and is on a continuous quest to find new and creative tools that lead to a fruitful financial journey for all business entities under her financial leadership.

Ready to stop figuring it out on your own?

Meet Our Team

Mission Statement

Core Values

Jim Emerich

Founder, Fractional CFO

Melissa Zinni

Vice President, Fractional CFO

Megan Christman

Fractional CFO

Lukas Sundahl

Fractional CFO

Stephanie Stocker, EA

Tax Advisor

Nicole Philippi

Executive Assistant

Wondering what it look like if you had a dedicated finance expert?

Contact Us

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Megan Christman

Fractional CFO

Lukas Sundahl

Fractional CFO

Jim Emerich

Founder, CFO

Melissa Zinni

CFO