What is included in the IT package that Focus Cfo requires franchisees to purchase from the approved vendor?
Focus_Cfo Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ternet access for your home office is strongly recommended.
We require all Franchisees to purchase a package of IT services selected by Focus CFO from our approved IT vendor. These services are currently provided by C-Forward and will include an Office 365 license, which includes access to Focus CFO e-mail, Microsoft Office software (Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint), Microsoft Teams video conferencing platform and Microsoft
OneDrive file hosting and backup service. The IT package also includes a security monitoring service of your business computer and IT support services as described in Attachment G to the Franchise Agreement.
Focus CFO will pay for the IT Services Fee until you begin to earn compensation. The IT Services Fee is deducted by the Company from each Franchisee's compensation each pay period. The cost of such IT services is currently Thirty Dollars ($30) per pay. We reserve the right to modify the required IT services and/or approved vendors and/or the amount of such IT Services Fee.
Currently, we estimate the cost to obtain a business computer, any related hardware or software and the required package of IT services to be $2,500 to $5,000.
We may modify any hardware and software requirements as well as any required IT services package by providing you 30 days prior notice. If your business computer does meet minimum specifications, we will require you to purchase, lease and/or license new or modified computer hardware and/or software. We estimate the annual costs of maintaining, updating or upgrading support to your required business computer system and software to be $1,500 to $3,000.
Our IT vendor will install an agent on your business computer to allow them to monitor your computer for malware and viruses which can impact the Focus CFO email system and the performance of your computer. Our IT vendor has the right to access your business computer and any non-password protected files so that they can provide IT support and these security monitoring services. Their policy is to request permission before accessing your business computer.
Focus CFO does not have any independent access t
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 17–23)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Focus Cfo Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must purchase a specific IT services package from Focus Cfo's approved vendor, currently C-Forward. This package includes an Office 365 license, granting access to Focus Cfo email, Microsoft Office software (Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint), the Microsoft Teams video conferencing platform, and Microsoft OneDrive for file hosting and backup.
In addition to the software and platform access, the IT package incorporates a security monitoring service for the franchisee's business computer. This service is designed to protect against malware and viruses that could compromise the Focus Cfo email system and overall computer performance. The IT vendor has the right to access the franchisee's business computer and any non-password protected files to provide IT support and security monitoring services, though their policy is to request permission before accessing the computer.
The FDD states that Focus Cfo will initially cover the IT Services Fee until the franchisee begins earning compensation. After that, the IT Services Fee is deducted from the franchisee's compensation each pay period. The cost of these IT services is currently $30 per pay. Focus Cfo retains the right to modify the required IT services, approved vendors, and the amount of the IT Services Fee. The estimated initial cost for a business computer, related hardware/software, and the required IT services package ranges from $2,500 to $5,000.