Phronesis Strategic Partners

Phronesis (φρόνησις): The wisdom to discern the right course of action in particular circumstances

We believe strategic finance transcends spreadsheets and models. It requires judgment, nuance, and the ability to see patterns others miss. At Phronesis, we bring institutional rigor to growth stage companies, transforming financial complexity into strategic advantage.

Leadership

Sam Malik, CPA

Sam brings deep institutional knowledge forged through a distinguished career spanning Big Four advisory and Fortune 500 financial leadership. At KPMG, he advised private equity and hedge fund clients on complex portfolio company transformations and value creation strategies, developing expertise in financial optimization and strategic restructuring at the highest levels of sophisticated finance.

This advisory foundation evolved into senior financial leadership roles within Fortune 500 companies and large privately held businesses, where Sam directed strategic initiatives across multiple M&A transactions and operational transformations. Originally from New York City and now based in Atlanta, he combines the analytical rigor of Big Four training with hands-on experience executing complex transactions across technology, manufacturing, and consumer sectors.

Sam founded Phronesis Strategic Partners to address a critical gap in the market: growth-stage companies need the same caliber of financial leadership that drives value in Fortune 500 environments, but delivered with the agility their stage demands. His unique vantage point—having both advised institutional investors and led finance functions through multiple M&A cycles—enables him to architect solutions that are both strategically sound and operationally executable. Clients value his ability to bring institutional sophistication to entrepreneurial environments without sacrificing speed or pragmatism.

Core Capabilities

We provide comprehensive strategic finance solutions tailored to each client's unique context and objectives. Our services span the full spectrum of financial leadership.

01

Transaction Support

Navigate M&A and strategic transactions with institutional expertise.

M&A financial due diligence and integration
Financial modeling and valuation analysis
Management presentation and data room preparation
Post-merger integration and synergy capture

02

Performance Optimization

Unlock profitability and cash flow through systematic analysis.

Margin and unit economics analysis
Working capital optimization
Pricing strategy and revenue modeling
Cost structure rationalization

03

Financial Infrastructure

Build institutional capabilities that scale with your ambitions.

FP&A process design
Management reporting systems
Financial controls and compliance
Team development and recruiting

Client Profile

We partner with ambitious companies and their stakeholders at critical inflection points. Our clients value strategic thinking, analytical rigor, and practical execution.

Growth Stage Companies

Series A through C companies preparing for scale. We provide the financial leadership needed to navigate rapid growth while maintaining investor confidence.

Private Equity Portfolio

Portfolio companies in transformation or value creation phases. We deliver immediate impact through operational finance improvements and strategic repositioning.

Established Enterprises

Mid-market companies seeking to professionalize their finance function. We bring institutional best practices while respecting entrepreneurial culture.

Financial Leadership

CFOs and finance teams requiring specialized expertise. We complement internal capabilities with deep technical knowledge and fresh perspective.

Engagement Model

1

Discovery

We begin with deep immersion into your business model, competitive dynamics, and strategic objectives. This foundational understanding shapes our entire approach.

2

Design

We develop a comprehensive roadmap balancing immediate priorities with long-term capability building. Every recommendation is grounded in your specific context.

3

Delivery

Whether through intensive project work or ongoing advisory, we ensure successful implementation. Our success is measured by your outcomes.

The Phronesis Distinction

Bespoke Solutions

Every engagement is custom-designed. We bring frameworks and best practices, but never templates or cookie-cutter approaches.

Strategic Perspective

We see finance as a strategic enabler, not a compliance function. Our recommendations always connect to business value creation.

Practical Excellence

We balance intellectual rigor with real-world pragmatism. Our solutions are sophisticated yet implementable.

Begin a Conversation

Let us understand your challenges and explore how we might help.

sammalikcpa@gmail.com (646) 912-5651 LinkedIn

Schedule Introduction

Strategic Finance.Practical Wisdom.