Joseph Graffeo

I've spent my career at the intersection of institutional finance and hands-on entrepreneurship — and I've learned that the most valuable thing I can offer a business owner isn't a spreadsheet. It's the ability to see their business the way a sophisticated investor would and then build the roadmap to close that gap. My foundation starts at Ernst & Young, where I specialized in tax compliance, financial modeling, and due diligence for some of the largest corporations in the world — U.S. Steel, Dow, Federal-Mogul, and others. Working inside one of the Big Four sharpened something that no textbook can teach: the ability to walk into any business, dissect its financial architecture, and immediately identify where value is being created, where it's being lost, and where the real opportunity lives. From there, I went on to build a career responsible for over $1.7 billion in total transaction experience — underwriting and closing complex deals across commercial real estate, global M&A, and institutional capital markets. That includes: $600MM+ in debt origination across multifamily, industrial, retail, and hospitality $1.1B in LIHTC equity placements, managing guarantor analysis and net equity funding for large-scale affordable housing developments Global M&A advisory spanning telecom and virtual accounting firm acquisitions in Europe, with individual deal sizes exceeding $20MM Ongoing relationships and deal flow with REITs, private equity firms, family offices, and private credit funds But what truly sets my advisory work apart is that I don't just advise — I operate. As both a General Partner and Limited Partner, I've deployed my own capital across a curated investment portfolio built on a disciplined, basis-first philosophy. Today I own and manage 300,000+ square feet of industrial real estate, the majority of which was acquired at a significant discount to replacement cost. Every deal I've done has had my own money behind it. That changes how you think. What I Do For Clients Today I work with entrepreneurs, business owners, and acquisition-minded professionals as a fractional CFO and strategic business advisor — bringing institutional-grade financial thinking to companies that don't have a $500/hour CFO on staff but absolutely need one in the room. My advisory work spans: Financial Strategy & Modeling — Forecasting, cash flow architecture, scenario planning, and capital structure optimization built to withstand investor scrutiny and drive better decisions at every stage of growth. Acquisition Due Diligence & Deal Structuring — Having underwritten billions in transactions, I help buyers and operators evaluate targets the right way — understanding not just what a business earns, but what it's truly worth and what it will take to grow it. I bridge the gap between $1.7B+ institutional underwriting standards and the micro-level realities of a $500K–$5MM small business acquisition. Operational & Process Improvement — Numbers tell a story. I help businesses identify operational inefficiencies, streamline workflows, and transition to modern cloud-based systems that create transparency, scalability, and margin improvement. Capital Raising & Lender Relations — Whether you need debt, equity, or a creative hybrid structure, I know how capital markets think because I've lived inside them. I help clients position their businesses and deals to attract the right capital at the right terms. CFO-as-a-Service — For growth-stage companies that need a financial leader without the full-time price tag, I plug in as a fractional CFO — owning the numbers, building the systems, and serving as a credible financial voice with banks, investors, and partners. The Perspective I Bring What I've found is that most small and mid-sized business owners are extraordinarily good at what they do — and chronically underserved when it comes to sophisticated financial guidance. They're making million-dollar decisions with the same tools and thinking that got them to where they are, but not necessarily where they want to go. I've sat across the table from institutional lenders, private equity sponsors, and global acquirers. I know what they look for, how they underwrite, and what makes them walk away. My job is to help you see your business through that lens — and then build the financial foundation, the narrative, and the strategy to get the deal done, attract the capital, or unlock the next level of growth. If you're an entrepreneur navigating an acquisition, a business owner preparing for a capital raise or exit, or a founder who simply needs a trusted financial co-pilot — let's connect. Education & Credentials BBA, Accounting & Finance | Concentration in Business Valuation University of Michigan, Stephen Ross School of Business Early Career: Ernst & Young LLP | Tax & Financial Advisory Advisor. Operator. Investor. I bring all three to the table.