Fractional CFO Pricing Guide
A straight-talk breakdown of fractional CFO pricing, what each tier includes, and how to tell which one fits your business.
What a fractional CFO costs
A fractional CFO is a monthly retainer, not a salary — you pay for scope, not headcount. Here is the typical range by tier.
| Tier | Monthly | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $5K–$12.5K | Solid accounting, needs an analysis layer |
| Standard | $8K–$20K | Growth plans or active lender relationships |
| Premium | $12K–$30K | PE-backed, forbearance, complex operations |
Most manufacturers start at Standard ($8K–$15K/month).
What each tier includes
Basic — Month-end close management, monthly P&L and balance sheet, variance analysis, and a 13-week cash forecast.
Standard — Everything in Basic, plus deeper analysis, strategic recommendations, quarterly planning, and more ad hoc work.
Premium — Everything in Standard, plus white-glove service, unlimited ad hoc analysis, board-presentation support, and covenant monitoring and lender management.
What drives your price
- Close complexity — number of entities, ERPs, and the state of your books
- Reporting needs — lender packages, board decks, PE reporting
- Cadence — monthly vs. weekly touchpoints and ad hoc volume
- Risk — covenants, forbearance, or a turnaround in progress
Fractional vs. full-time, over 5 years
| Full-time CFO | Fractional CFO | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ~$257,500 | ~$144,000 |
| 5-year total | ~$1,097,500 | ~$720,000 |
| You save | — | ~$377,500 |
Pick your tier in 6 questions
- Is your month-end close over 10 days?
- Do you produce variance analysis today — and understand it?
- Do you have debt covenants to monitor?
- Can you see your cash position 13 weeks out?
- Are investors or lenders asking for monthly reporting?
- Is finance the ceiling on your growth right now?
Three or more "no/yes-it's-a-problem" answers means a fractional CFO pays for itself in the first month. Book an intro call and we'll price your exact scope.