How much does a fractional Chief Financial Officer cost?
A fractional CFO costs $175 to $450 per hour, or $5,000 to $15,000 a month on retainer for 10 to 20 hours a week. Most agreements land between $5,000 and $7,500. A full-time CFO runs $300,000 to $500,000 fully loaded, so the fractional route is 60 to 80 percent cheaper for companies that do not need daily finance coverage.
Fractional CFO rates at a glance
| Basis | Range (US, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Hourly | $175 to $450 |
| Monthly retainer | $5,000 to $15,000 |
| Full-time equivalent (loaded) | $300,000 to $500,000 per year |
Rates by company stage
| Stage | Monthly retainer | Typical scope |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-seed / pre-revenue | $3,000 to $4,500 | Forecasting, basic reporting, raise prep |
| Seed to Series A | $4,500 to $8,000 | 13-week cash forecast, board reporting, fundraise support |
| Growth ($5M to $25M) | $8,000 to $15,000 | FP&A, unit economics, hiring the finance team |
| PE-backed / scaling | $12,000 to $20,000 | Covenants, M&A, audit prep, consolidations |
What drives the rate
Fundraising and M&A experience push rates to the top of the band. Operators who have closed a Series B, run a 13-week cash forecast through a downturn, or survived an audit command more than generalist finance help. Industry specialization (SaaS metrics, PE covenants, ecommerce inventory cash cycles) also moves the number.
FAQs
How much does a fractional CFO cost per month?
Most fractional CFO retainers run $5,000 to $15,000 a month for 10 to 20 hours a week, with the bulk of agreements landing between $5,000 and $7,500. Early-stage companies pay less, around $3,000 to $5,000, while PE-backed and growth-stage work reaches $12,000 to $20,000.
What is the hourly rate for a fractional CFO?
Hourly rates run $175 to $450. Operators with 5 to 10 years sit near $175 to $250, and senior CFOs with deep fundraising, M&A, or PE experience charge $350 to $450 and up. The hourly-to-retainer crossover sits around 15 to 20 hours a month.
Is a fractional CFO cheaper than a full-time CFO?
Yes. A full-time CFO costs $300,000 to $500,000 a year fully loaded with benefits and payroll taxes. A $7,500 monthly retainer is $90,000 a year for the days you need, which is 60 to 80 percent cheaper when you do not need full-time coverage.
How many hours does a fractional CFO work?
Typically 10 to 20 hours a week for one client, which lands as one or two days plus availability between them. Pre-seed companies often need 8 to 12 hours a month; growth-stage companies buy 20 to 40.
What drives a fractional CFO's rate up?
Fundraising and M&A track record, audit and covenant experience, and industry specialization. A CFO who has taken companies through a Series B raise or a PE covenant test charges more than one who has only run steady-state finance.