If you manage finances across multiple small businesses, you already know retirement plans are more than a perk. The benefit package sends a message to current employees and potential recruits that the company is committed to its workforce. 

But as a fractional CFO, you’re making decisions that need to work across different payroll platforms and multiple teams of employees, often for businesses that are constantly evolving. You need tools that reduce the administrative burden, integrate cleanly, and support long-term outcomes for the employees you serve.

Whether you’re onboarding your tenth client or launching a plan from scratch, here’s a practical checklist to help you evaluate providers. 

Payroll Integration Isn’t Optional

Manually uploading employee contributions can create bottlenecks and expose businesses to compliance risk. Instead of managing files on your desktop or relying on Google Sheets every pay period, consider a provider that integrates directly with your client’s payroll system. 

Ideally, the provider supports multiple platforms, because you shouldn’t have to build a new process from scratch each time.

Ask: Can this provider automatically connect with the payroll platforms my clients already use?

Setting Up New Clients Should Be Simple

Some legacy platforms require weeks of back-and-forth to get a new plan in place. That’s time your clients shouldn’t have to lose. Providers with streamlined onboarding (especially those with dedicated human support) will save you hours and spare your clients unnecessary confusion.

Ask: How long does implementation typically take, and who owns the process?

Look Beyond the Recordkeeping

Plenty of providers handle custody and reporting. Fewer offer true support in helping employees actually use and benefit from the plan. If your clients want to attract and retain talent, the retirement benefit should come with tools and communication that encourage real participation.

Ask: What does this provider offer to help employees take advantage of the plan?

Make Sure It Can Grow With Your Clients

Your clients may be small now, but things change. Choose a 401(k) provider that can scale with them. That means supporting design updates, adding employer-match flexibility, and navigating mergers or roll-ups without having to start from scratch each time.

Ask: Can this platform support multiple companies or change plan setups as each client’s business evolves?

Final Considerations for CFOs

Choosing the right 401(k) provider means more than just meeting compliance needs. You want a platform that gets new plans up and running quickly, integrates seamlessly with payroll systems, and supports your clients’ needs.

Basic Capital was built with fractional CFOs and multi-entity operations in mind. We support more than 150 payroll integrations, offer hands-on onboarding, and make it easier to manage retirement benefits across multiple businesses.

We handle onboarding and admin so you can focus on the bigger picture.