Frank does cutting-edge work over time (6)
I believe the answer is:
honest
'frank' is the definition.
('honest' can be similar in meaning to 'frank')
'cutting-edge work over time' is the wordplay.
'cutting edge work over' becomes 'hon' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'time' becomes 'est' (EST is an example).
'hon'+'est'='HONEST'
'does' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for honest that I've seen before include "Straight up" , "Genuine; fair" , "Impartial intermediary" , "Virtuous" , "Not dissembling" .)