TOP 100 MAGAZINE

Conor Firth

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Running a creative business isn’t just about talent or inspiration—it’s about sustainability, strategy, and structure. That’s the sweet spot where Conor Firth, founder and CEO of Art First Business Services (AFBS), comes in. With over two decades of experience at the intersection of finance and the creative industries, Conor offers something many artistic entrepreneurs say they’ve never had before: a financial expert who truly understands their business.

 

Conor’s journey began in the art world, where he launched one of the first e-commerce platforms for contemporary art, showcasing over 1,000 works on a shoestring budget. “I remember lying awake at night, worrying about cash flow and expenses,” he says. With no CFO and only a tax accountant for support, he taught himself financial management out of necessity. That knowledge—and the realization that countless other creatives were facing the same challenges—led to the founding of AFBS.

 

Today, AFBS specializes in guiding creative businesses through every phase of their development, from startup to sale. Their services span bookkeeping, tax planning, and fractional CFO-level strategy, offering the kind of forecasting, budgeting, and financial clarity that many small firms lack. “We help clients understand their numbers in plain English,” Conor explains. “Not everyone speaks ‘P&L,’ but everyone needs to know when to hire, when to scale, and how to stop losing money.”

 

What sets AFBS apart isn’t just its deep financial acumen—it’s Conor’s first-hand understanding of creative businesses. As a former CFO for agencies with clients like Bacardi, Chobani, and Avion, and as global head of finance for a multinational creative firm, he’s lived the nuances of creative operations. He’s worked with everyone from fashion designers to filmmakers, from interior design firms to advertising agencies. This industry-specific expertise enables AFBS to pinpoint inefficiencies, reduce waste, and create financial strategies that support both profitability and artistic freedom.

 

“Creative professionals often tell me, ‘You get it—finance people usually don’t,’” Conor shares. That’s because AFBS is built on the principle of translation: turning intimidating financial jargon into actionable, digestible insight. Conor and his team don’t just drop off reports—they sit with clients, map out strategies, and stay engaged. Whether helping a production company plan for staffing or a designer forecast seasonal revenue, the goal is always the same: smart growth and peace of mind.

 

AFBS doesn’t operate like a traditional accounting firm, and that’s intentional. The team provides hands-on support that goes well beyond tax filing, helping clients streamline operations, increase margins, and avoid costly mistakes. And with a proven record of saving clients thousands annually, the firm has earned its place as a trusted partner for creative leaders who want to focus on what they do best—creating.

 

 

Conor Firth
Founder and CEO
Art First Business Services
Website: www.artfirstbusiness.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conor-firth