Get To Know Me.

Phil Knox AKA ‘The Hatted CFO’

Chartered Accountant Australia New Zealand logo

  • Strategic finance, expert guidance and founder-to-founder support for business owners, from someone who's built, scaled and successfully exited.

    Valuation & independent expert analysis for legal firms. Delivering reports that hold up. Providing accurate, defensible financial analysis backed by real commercial experience. Your clients get clear explanations. You get expert reports you can trust.

  • Bachelor or Commerce (Accounting) Macquarie University

    Chartered Accountant (CAANZ Member 238183)

    Registered Tax Agent

  • I built, scaled & exited to ASX-listed then US unicorn. As a fractional CFO I'm now securing dreams for business owners with privately held businesses. Building with them something meaningful that supports not just their bank account, but the life they actually want.

    That's what I mean when I talk about securing dreams. It's not just about protecting what they've built, it's about ensuring their success serves the life they're actually trying to create.

    I've built from zero to exit. I've navigated the tough decisions, the growth challenges and the legal complexities that come with ownership. Whether you're scaling up, dealing with a dispute, or planning your exit, I've been there. That real world experience shows up in how I work with you and your team. I know the journey from the inside. I go through the numbers, make sure your money's working harder and keep you moving forward.

    You'll get performance analysis you'll understand, strategic financial management that means you'll make your next move with confidence and straight talk when you're making big decisions.

    Starting at Grant Thornton in Family & Private Business Advisory and completing valuation assignments for banks and private business owners, I went on to co-found and serve as Chief Financial Officer of Integrated Workforce Solutions (IWS), where I was instrumental in scaling the company from start-up through to a successful acquisition by PayGroup (ASX:PYG) in 2021 and subsequent sale to US-based unicorn Deel in 2022. At the time of acquisition IWS serviced 1000+ SMEs and I advised C-suite stakeholders in major clients including Zambrero, Laser Clinics Australia, El Jannah and Craveable Brands.  

    I’ve worn every hat - founder, CFO, business partner, HR, operations & occasional tech support (long story).

    I've sat on both sides and now work alongside owners of privately held businesses as an Advisor & Fractional CFO who gets both the numbers and the bigger picture.

    When doing business valuation & independent (or dirty/non-independent) expert reports I bring a balance of technical rigour and commercial insight, ensuring conclusions are well-reasoned, defensible, and reflective of how private businesses actually operate.

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