About CMS Consulting
What is a Fractional CFO
A fractional CFO is an experienced Chief Financial Officer who provides senior-level financial leadership on a part-time or contract basis. Instead of hiring a full-time CFO, an organization can access strategic expertise for a set number of hours per week or month, or for specific projects.
An organization may need a fractional CFO when it can’t recruit or justify a full-time CPA/CFO, is facing budget pressure or major funding/reporting requirements, is preparing for audit readiness and stronger internal controls, has leadership turnover in finance, or needs to explain complex financial issues clearly to Council, Chief & Council, or a board. It’s a practical way to get executive-level guidance, improve financial confidence, and strengthen long-term sustainability—without the cost of a permanent hire.
Our Vision
At CMS Consulting, our vision is to be Manitoba’s trusted partner for strategic financial leadership—and a respected, modest national resource—for small municipalities, First Nations governments, small communities, and not-for-profit organizations, strengthening fiscal sustainability, transparency, and community resilience.
Our Team
CMS Consulting is made up of Cory Schermann a Manitoba-based CPA with over 20 years of public-sector finance experience, including senior roles in municipal and provincial government. I’ve spent my career helping leaders make confident decisions by turning complex budgets, funding requirements, and financial reports into clear, practical insight. Today, I bring that same hands-on, plain-language approach to small municipalities, First Nations governments, and not-for-profits that need seasoned financial leadership without the cost of a full-time CFO.
Our Commitment to Quality
At CMS Consulting, we’re committed to delivering work that is accurate, clear, and decision-ready. We use disciplined methods, documented assumptions, and plain-language reporting so leaders can act with confidence and stand behind the numbers with Council, boards, and funders. Above all, we respect deadlines, protect confidentiality, and aim to leave every client with stronger tools and capacity than when we arrived.
Our Expertise
CMS Consulting provides senior-level financial leadership for small municipalities, First Nations governments, not-for-profit organizations, or other organizations that need experienced support without the cost of a full-time executive. With deep public-sector expertise, we help clients strengthen financial governance, improve transparency, and make confident, sustainable decisions.
Our expertise includes budgeting and long-range financial planning, forecasting and scenario analysis, funding and grant reporting support, audit readiness and internal controls (non-audit), financial policy and governance reviews, and executive-level reporting and briefings for councils and boards. We also offer capacity building—coaching staff and improving templates, processes, and reporting tools so your organization becomes stronger over time.
Our Approach
We believe in taking a personalized approach to each client's needs. We work closely with our clients to understand their goals and develop customized solutions to help them achieve success.
Our Services
Fractional CFO and Finance Leadership
- Fractional CFO (part-time executive finance leadership)
- Interim CFO / Finance Director coverage during vacancies or transitions
- Financial leadership coaching for finance team
Budgeting and Financial Planning
- Annual operating and capital budget development support
- Multi-year financial plans and sustainability modeling
- Reserve strategy and policy support
- Scenario planning (inflation, revenue shocks, service-level changes)
Forecasting and Financial Performance Reporting
- Monthly/quarterly forecasting and variance analysis
- Executive dashboards and council-ready reporting packages
- Key performance indicators (financial + service-related measures)
- Simplifying financial statements for non-financial decision-makers
Funding, Grants, and Contribution Agreements
- Funding agreement compliance support (federal/provincial/ISC/other)
- Grant reporting templates, schedules, and tracking tools
- Program costing and funding gap analysis
- Audit readiness for funding programs (non-audit support)
Governance, Policy, and Internal Controls
- Financial policy reviews and updates (purchasing, signing authorities, travel, etc.)
- Internal controls assessment and improvement plans
- Delegation/authority frameworks and financial accountability models
- Governance-friendly reporting and decision briefs for councils/boards
Audit Readiness and Remediation Support
(Not external audit services)
- Year-end readiness planning and working-paper support
- Responding to audit findings and creating remediation plans
- Strengthening processes to prevent repeat findings
Systems, Process Improvement, and Analytics
- Financial process reviews (payables, receivables, payroll, budgeting cycle)
- Chart of accounts and reporting structure improvements
- ERP/finance system requirements and selection support (needs analysis)
- Building practical templates/tools (forecast models, budget workbooks)
Capacity Building and Training
- Council/Chief & Council financial literacy workshops
- Staff training on budgeting, forecasting, reporting, controls
- Custom “how-to” guides and standardized templates for consistency
Special Projects
- Service costing and user-fee reviews
- Capital planning and affordability analysis
- Due diligence and financial review for partnerships or agreements
- “Turnaround” support for organizations under financial pressure