A Fractional CFO provides the same strategic financial leadership as a full-time Chief Financial Officer at a fraction of the cost. For companies doing $10M–$100M in revenue, it is the most efficient way to get executive-level financial thinking without the $300K+ salary.
A Fractional CFO sits above your bookkeeper and CPA in the financial hierarchy. They do not reconcile accounts or file taxes. They answer the questions that determine whether your company grows, stalls, or dies.
13-week cash flow forecasts, annual budgets, and scenario modeling so you can see around corners instead of reacting to surprises.
Identifying where profit is being lost in pricing, overhead allocation, project costing, or operational inefficiency and fixing it.
Building systems that predict cash gaps before they happen and optimize the timing of receivables, payables, and capital expenditures.
Determining where to invest for maximum return new hires, equipment, markets, or acquisitions based on data, not gut feel.
Identifying financial risks before they become crises customer concentration, debt covenants, market exposure, and operational vulnerabilities.
Building the financial infrastructure that maximizes enterprise value and makes your company attractive to buyers years before a sale.
| Feature | Fractional CFO | Full-Time CFO | CPA / Accountant |
| Annual Cost | $60K–$180K | $250K–$450K | $15K–$50K |
| Strategic Planning | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cash Forecasting | Yes | Yes | Rarely |
| Exit Planning | Yes (CEPA) | Sometimes | No |
| Tax Filing | No | No | Yes |
| Best For | $10M–$100M companies | $100M+ companies | All companies |
Your revenue is growing but your cash flow is getting tighter
You are making major financial decisions based on gut feel, not data
Your margins are shrinking and you cannot pinpoint why
You are planning to sell the business within 2–5 years
Your CPA only tells you what happened last quarter, not what will happen next quarter
You are turning down growth opportunities because you cannot model the financial impact
You feel like you are working harder but keeping less money
Typically 4–16 hours per week depending on the complexity of your business and the scope of the engagement. The value is not measured in hours it is measured in the quality of financial decisions you make as a result. A single pricing correction or cash flow optimization can return more value than months of hourly work.
Most clients see measurable impact within 30–90 days. The first 30 days are diagnostic we identify the biggest financial leaks and opportunities. By day 60, we have implemented initial fixes (typically cash flow improvements and margin corrections). By day 90, you have a fully operational forecasting system and executive dashboard.
No. A Fractional CFO works above your existing accounting team, not in place of them. Your bookkeeper continues to manage day-to-day transactions. Your CPA continues to handle tax compliance. The CFO provides the strategic layer that tells you what the numbers mean and what to do about them.
Any founder-led company in the $10M–$100M range benefits from strategic financial leadership. Industries with particular complexity include construction (WIP schedules, bonding, retainage), distribution and logistics (inventory, COGS, supply chain, cash conversion cycles), and professional services (utilization, project profitability, partner compensation).
A financial consultant gives you a report and leaves. A Fractional CFO becomes a member of your leadership team. They attend your executive meetings, know your people, understand your strategy, and take ongoing ownership of your financial outcomes. They are accountable for results, not just recommendations.
Start with a free 60-minute Business Performance Diagnostic. No obligation. Just clarity.
