How much does a fractional CFO cost per month?

For most owner-operated businesses doing $1M to $10M in revenue, a fractional CFO on a flat monthly retainer runs $2,000 to $8,000. The exact number depends on your scope, how clean your books already are, and how many hours you need.

What's a reasonable monthly cost for a $3M service business?

Usually somewhere in the $3,000 to $6,000 range for an engagement that includes reporting, forecasting, and cash-flow work. It moves up with transaction volume and down when your books are already current.

Can I hire a fractional CFO hourly instead of on a retainer?

Yes. Hourly work runs roughly $150 to $450 an hour and suits a single question or a short, defined project. For ongoing financial leadership, a flat retainer is usually better value because it takes the meter off the table for both sides.

Is a fractional CFO cheaper than a full-time CFO?

Yes. A full-time CFO costs $180,000 to $300,000 or more once you add benefits and payroll taxes, while a fractional engagement delivers the same forward-looking judgment for a fraction of that. But the comparison that matters more is against the cost of not having one at all.

What does a fractional CFO do that my bookkeeper doesn't?

Bookkeeping records what already happened. A CFO decides what to do about it: forecasting, cash-flow strategy, margins, and financing. You generally need both, and paying CFO rates for bookkeeping work is the most common way owners overpay.

Does a fractional CFO handle my taxes?

No. Walden doesn't do tax filing, attest, or compliance work. You keep your CPA, and we refer that work straight back to them. A fractional CFO focuses on the decisions behind the numbers, not the filing.

Finance

How Much Does a Fractional CFO Cost? (2026 Pricing Guide)

For most owner-operated businesses doing $1M to $10M, a fractional CFO runs $2,000 to $8,000 a month. Here's what moves that number, and how to tell a fee from an investment.

Read on Walden →