Fractional CFO Services

Fractional CFO services provide part-time chief financial officer expertise to growing businesses that need strategic financial leadership but can't justify or afford a full-time CFO.

Fractional CFOs help companies with financial strategy, forecasting and budgeting, cash flow management, fundraising support, financial systems, and serving as trusted advisors to CEOs and boards.

This role serves startups, growth-stage companies, and established small businesses navigating transitions.

Successful fractional CFOs typically have extensive corporate finance experience as CFOs or finance VPs, often specializing by industry (technology, manufacturing, professional services) or business stage (startups, growth, turnarounds).

The business model charges monthly retainers typically ranging from $3,000-15,000+ depending on company size and complexity, for 1-3 days per week of work.

Some also work project-based for fundraising or specific initiatives.

Services include financial strategy development, budgeting and forecasting, cash flow analysis and management, KPI and dashboard development, board presentation preparation, fundraising support including pitch deck financials and investor relations, financial system selection and implementation, and serving as strategic advisor to leadership.

Success requires deep finance expertise across accounting, FP&A, and strategy, business acumen to understand operations and drive growth, communication skills translating financial information for non-financial leaders, leadership ability to build finance functions and manage teams, and often experience with fundraising and investors.

Projects involve financial assessment, building financial models and forecasts, implementing financial processes and systems, supporting strategic decisions with analysis, and often hiring and developing finance teams.

Marketing emphasizes business outcomes—successful fundraising, improved cash flow, profitability improvements, successful exits—using case studies and client testimonials.

Many fractional CFOs come from corporate CFO roles seeking flexibility or portfolio careers.

Target markets include venture-backed startups, private equity-owned companies, and growing businesses facing complexity.

The business offers premium rates and engaging strategic work across multiple companies.

Challenges include context-switching between different businesses, not being full-time insider limits some initiatives, finding clients who value and can afford strategic finance, and ensuring adequate involvement to drive impact.

Some fractional CFOs eventually join clients full-time if fit is excellent.