Interactive tool

Fractional vs. Full-Time CFO Cost Calculator

A full-time CFO costs far more than the salary line. Add bonus, payroll taxes, benefits, and equity, and the loaded number climbs fast. Move the sliders to see how a fractional retainer compares.

Full-time CFO base salary$250,000

Typical US base for a mid-market CFO.

Target bonus20

Percent of base. Shown as %.

Annual equity / LTI value$40,000

Annualized value of equity or long-term incentives.

Fractional CFO retainer$8,000

Monthly retainer. CipherCFO starts at $5K/mo.

Your estimate

Full-time, loaded / yr

$415,000

Fractional / yr

$96,000

You’d save in year one

$319,000

~77% less than the full-time hire · $957,000 over 3 years

Estimate only. Full-time cost loads base + bonus with ~25% for employer taxes and benefits, plus equity. Your numbers will vary by market and stage.

A fractional CFO buys you senior judgment at a fraction of that loaded cost — and you can scale scope up or down as your situation changes, with no long-term contract. When the savings make sense, see the published pricing or book a working session.

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Book a working session.

A 20-minute call, a clear read on your numbers, and a straight answer on whether a fractional CFO is the right call right now.

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