What Is Proven?
If you are buying or running a construction or trades business, you know that the financial and operational challenges are unlike any other industry. Project-based revenue, complex job costing, labor management, bonding requirements, seasonal fluctuations—it is a world that general-purpose accounting firms and HR consultants often do not fully understand. Proven was built specifically to address these challenges.
Proven (proven.co) provides fractional CFO services, bookkeeping, accounting, HR, and operational support exclusively for construction and trades businesses. With over 600 businesses served, more than $1 billion in assets managed, 1.2 million transactions reconciled, and $275 million in capital raised for clients, Proven has built a track record that few competitors in this space can match.
Their value proposition is clear: they serve as your complete executive team and back office, handling finance, operations, accounting, and HR so you can focus on what you do best—building.
Proven’s Core Services
Fractional CFO
For construction and trades businesses that need executive-level financial leadership but cannot justify a full-time CFO salary, Proven provides experienced fractional CFOs who understand the unique financial dynamics of the industry:
- Strategic financial planning tailored to project-based businesses
- Cash flow management and forecasting across multiple active projects
- Job costing analysis and profitability tracking by project
- Bonding capacity management and surety relationships
- Banking and lending relationship management
- Financial reporting and KPI dashboards for construction metrics
- Capital raising and debt structuring
In construction, cash flow is king—and it is also incredibly complex. Money flows in from progress billings while flowing out for materials, labor, subcontractors, and equipment. A CFO who understands construction accounting (percentage of completion, completed contract method, WIP schedules) is fundamentally different from one who comes from SaaS or retail.
Bookkeeping and Accounting
Proven handles the day-to-day financial operations that many construction business owners struggle to keep up with:
- Full-service bookkeeping with construction-specific chart of accounts
- Accounts payable and accounts receivable management
- Bank and credit card reconciliation (1.2M+ transactions reconciled)
- Monthly financial statement preparation
- Job cost tracking and reporting
- Payroll support and compliance
- Tax preparation coordination
Human Resources
Construction and trades businesses face unique HR challenges—from managing field crews to navigating OSHA compliance. Proven’s HR services include:
- Employee onboarding and offboarding processes
- Compensation and benefits program design for field and office staff
- Labor law compliance (OSHA, prevailing wage, workers compensation)
- Employee handbook development
- Performance management and review systems
- Recruitment support for skilled trades positions
Operational Support
Beyond finance and HR, Proven provides operational leadership to help construction businesses scale:
- Process optimization and workflow design
- Technology implementation (accounting software, project management tools)
- Vendor and subcontractor management processes
- Scalability planning for growing operations
Proven’s Track Record by the Numbers
The numbers tell a compelling story:
- 600+ businesses served: Deep experience across the construction and trades spectrum
- $1B+ in assets managed: They handle serious volume and complexity
- 1.2M+ transactions reconciled: Reliable, high-volume financial operations
- $275M+ capital raised: Proven ability to help clients secure funding for growth
Who Is Proven Best For?
- Buyers acquiring construction or trades businesses who need financial and operational DD from industry specialists
- Construction business owners who have outgrown their bookkeeper but are not ready for a full-time CFO
- Trades companies scaling rapidly that need back-office infrastructure to keep up with growth
- Private equity or search fund operators acquiring businesses in construction, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or similar trades
- Business owners preparing for sale who need clean financials and organized operations
Strengths and Considerations
Strengths
- Industry specialization: 100% focused on construction and trades—they speak the language
- Proven scale: 600+ businesses served demonstrates repeatable, reliable service delivery
- Full back-office solution: Finance, accounting, HR, and operations under one roof
- Capital raising expertise: $275M+ raised shows they can help with growth financing, not just bookkeeping
- Technology partnerships: They work with best-in-class financial tools and integrations
- Complete executive team replacement: Can serve as your CFO, controller, bookkeeper, and HR director simultaneously
Considerations
- Industry-specific: If you are not in construction or trades, Proven is not for you
- Not a traditional DD firm: While they can provide financial clarity for acquisitions, their primary focus is ongoing operational support
- May be more than you need: If you just need a one-time QoE, their full-service model might be more comprehensive than necessary
Our Honest Assessment
Proven is one of the most compelling niche service providers we have reviewed. The construction and trades industry is massively underserved when it comes to professional financial and operational support. Most accounting firms treat construction clients the same as any other business, which leads to problems—construction accounting has its own rules, its own metrics, and its own pitfalls.
Proven’s exclusive focus on this industry means they have seen virtually every scenario. They understand WIP schedules, overbilling versus underbilling, retention receivables, prevailing wage requirements, and the dozen other construction-specific financial concepts that a generalist accountant might miss.
For SMB buyers looking to acquire a construction or trades business, Proven offers a unique advantage: they can not only help you understand the financials during due diligence, but they can also serve as your entire back-office team from Day 1 of ownership. This continuity—from pre-acquisition analysis to post-acquisition operations—is extremely valuable, particularly for buyers who come from outside the construction industry.
The $275M in capital raised for clients is a standout statistic that suggests Proven goes well beyond basic bookkeeping. If you need to raise capital for equipment, bonding, or growth, they have the relationships and track record to make it happen.
Financing Your Construction Business Acquisition with GoSBA Loans
Construction and trades businesses are excellent candidates for SBA financing, and GoSBA Loans is the ideal partner to help you secure the right loan for your acquisition.
GoSBA Loans is a free loan brokerage service that has funded over $320 million in SBA loans for small business buyers. Here is what they offer:
- 50+ lender network: Access to over 50 SBA lenders, including those with specific experience in construction and trades financing
- $320M+ funded: A deep track record of getting deals done across every industry
- 100% free service: GoSBA earns its fee from lenders—you pay absolutely nothing
- Free business plan: Receive a professionally written business plan valued at $2,500 to $5,000, at no cost to you
- Industry expertise: GoSBA understands how to present construction acquisitions to SBA lenders, addressing the unique aspects of project-based revenue and seasonal cash flow
Pairing Proven’s construction-specific financial expertise with GoSBA Loans’ SBA lending network gives you a powerful combination for acquiring and financing a trades business.
Ready to acquire a construction or trades business? Contact GoSBA Loans today for a free consultation. Find out how much SBA financing you qualify for and receive a free business plan to support your acquisition.
