Fractional, Not Fictional: Michael Spyrou on Strategy, Startups & Saying No
“You don’t want to automate a bad process — you’ll just do the wrong things faster.”
In this episode, Chris, Mike, and guest co-host Michael Spyrou dive into the evolving role of the finance function — especially in startups and scaling businesses. Michael, founder of Axcelera, shares his journey from redundancy and single fatherhood to founding a fully stacked fractional finance team that aims to do more than just balance the books. He explains why growing businesses need strategic finance support earlier than they think, and how Excela’s model fills the crucial gap between overpriced consultants and overstretched founders.
They dig into the difference between lagging and leading indicators, the rise of zebra startups, and why values matter more than vanity metrics. Michael also reflects on using AI to build internal tools, learning to code as a non-developer, and the power of kindness in leadership. If you’ve ever wondered when to bring in a CFO—or how to find one that fits—this episode is full of practical wisdom and thoughtful advice.
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Author
“Chris Argent isn’t here to play by finance’s old rulebook - he’s here to rewrite it.” From challenging outdated corporate thinking to rallying finance leaders around a more connected, adaptable future, the founder of GENCFO is leading a quiet revolution in how CFOs and finance leadership work, think, and influence. Chris Argent, founder of GENCFO, is a finance leader redefining the role beyond business partnering. A self-described “reluctant accountant,” he’s built a global community for progressive accounting and finance leaders who value connection over competition and action over tradition. Chris believes the greatest risk to the profession is clinging to outdated norms, and that mindset and adaptability outpace any technological change. His work champions leaders who turn new ideas into real-world change, blending people-centred strategies with new ways of working and technology. In conversations, he challenges, provokes, and inspires - proving that the future of finance belongs to those ready to lead it together.