Chris Cook

I run finance functions and make their numbers defensible, as a fractional CFO for mid-market companies. I apply the same audit-grade standard to AI governance, where someone in your C-suite or on your board has to answer for AI risk, and in most companies no one really owns it. I do that work four ways.1. FRACTIONAL CFO. Through Blackbox Zero, I serve as an interim or fractional CFO for mid-market companies that are between CFOs or facing an audit, a lender event, or a sale. I run the close, the forecast, and the control environment, and I make the numbers hold up under scrutiny from auditors, lenders, and buyers.2. AI GOVERNANCE ADVISORY. I build AI governance frameworks, controls, and audit-ready evidence for regulated mid-market companies - governance that satisfies boards, auditors, and regulators while accelerating deployment and return on investment.3. FRACTIONAL CHIEF AI OFFICER. On a retained basis, I own AI strategy, governance, and deployment accountability - senior AI leadership without the full-time headcount.4. BOARD SERVICE. I bring my CFO, audit, and AI governance background to independent director and audit committee seats. I qualify as an audit committee financial expert under SEC criteria, served as an executive director on IBMs UK statutory board, and owned IBMs audit committee reporting flow.The foundation: 21 years at IBM in senior finance, audit, and governance roles. As CFO of IBM UK and Ireland, I directed a $5B P&L and the separation of IBMs outsourcing business into publicly listed Kyndryl (NYSE:KD). As Controller of IBM Japan, I ran finance for an $8B portfolio representing 10% of IBMs global revenue. As Worldwide Deputy Chief Auditor, I created IBM's first AI audit program and directed 151 audits annually, reporting to the CFO, CEO, and Board Audit Committee. I also served as a voting member of IBMs AI Ethics Board.Credentials: CFA charterholder. MBA in Finance, Yale School of Management. BA and MA in Computer Science, Boston University. Published in Corporate Board Member and AI Journal. Speaker at national governance and compliance conferences and at Yale School of Management.I also write Judgment Call, a weekly brief on AI governance decisions. Subscribe at blackboxzero.com/judgment-call.Where to start:Fractional CFO: blackboxzero.com/fractional-cfoAI governance or fractional Chief AI Officer: blackboxzero.comBoard service: chriscook.comDirect: ccook@chriscook.com