How much does a full-time CFO actually cost?

Between $250,000 and $400,000 a year once you add bonus, benefits, payroll taxes, retirement match, and equity to the base salary. That's before recruiting fees and months of ramp time before the hire earns anything back.

Is a fractional CFO as good as a full-time one?

For strategy, yes. The difference is hours and dedication, not capability. A good fractional CFO brings the same skills a few days a week that a full-time hire brings all week.

How much cheaper is a fractional CFO?

Fractional engagements typically run $2,000-$10,000 a month against a $250K-$400K all-in full-time package, an annual difference around $150,000-$250,000. The bigger return, though, is the cash and margin a CFO improves once they're in your numbers, beyond the salary saved.

When should I switch from fractional to a full-time CFO?

When finance becomes a daily job rather than a periodic one: multi-entity consolidation every month, a board or lender on a fixed cadence, an active raise or sale needing daily ownership, or an in-house finance team that needs managing. Below that, a full-time hire is idle capacity on the payroll.

Can a fractional CFO handle a raise or a sale?

Yes for the preparation, modeling, and reporting. A months-long transaction that needs daily ownership is where a full-time hire starts to pay for itself. Many owners bring in fractional support to run the process and hire full-time only once deal activity fills a week.

What is the integrated back-office option?

Bookkeeping, controller, and CFO work under one provider instead of stitched together from separate vendors. It closes the handoff gap between the people who produce your numbers and the people who interpret them, usually costs less than assembling the pieces separately, and you keep your CPA for tax and compliance.

How do I know my CFO is actually working?

Track five things: forecast accuracy within about 10%, flat-or-falling days sales outstanding, books closed within five business days, at least 13 weeks of cash visibility, and your own hours on financial questions falling month over month. If those aren't moving, blame the execution before you blame the model.

Advisory

Fractional CFO vs. Full-Time CFO: Cost and When to Switch

A full-time CFO costs $250K-$400K a year all-in, and you rarely need 40 hours of CFO work a week. Here's the honest cost math, the value you're actually buying, and the point where switching to full-time earns its keep.

Read on Walden →