How much does a fractional CFO cost? Retainers, hourly rates & what to compare
Retained engagements start at $5,000 per month; most run $5,000 to $20,000 depending on cadence and whether a transaction is in process. Defined projects, including the financial modeling sprint at $10,000, are fixed-fee. Across the market, fractional CFO fees depend on the responsibilities involved, the complexity of the business, and the level of support required. To compare proposals meaningfully, evaluate the scope, deliverables, experience, and working arrangements alongside the fee.
Market ranges: what providers publish
There is no single market price, and published ranges reflect examples from specific providers, not a universal rate. The figures below are external market examples cited from published provider guides, listed so you can compare quotes against documented benchmarks. They are not TA Strategic Advisory pricing. TA Strategic Advisory scopes fees to the engagement.
- Hourly: $150 to $500 per hour. A 2026 cost guide reports monthly retainers of $5,000 to $12,000 and project fees of $10,000 to $25,000+. A 2025/26 hourly rates guide reports $175 to $450 per hour. A 2025 guide reports $150 to $500 per hour and $3,000 to $10,000 per month. All figures are drawn from published provider guides, 2025–26.
- Monthly retainer: $3,000 to $12,000+ per month, sized to hours and scope. Published retainers cover different responsibilities and levels of involvement. Confirm what each proposal includes before comparing fees.
- Projects: $10,000 to $25,000+ for defined work such as a fundraise model, a board-ready forecast rebuild, or diligence support. Project fees are scoped per engagement: fixed deliverables, fixed fee, fixed timeline. See the financial modeling sprint for a fixed-fee example.
The pricing models
| Model | How it works | Works well when |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | You pay for hours worked, usually on a monthly invoice. | The work is advisory or intermittent: a board pack review, a term sheet review, a pricing analysis. |
| Monthly retainer | A fixed monthly fee for a defined set of responsibilities. | You want a part-time CFO in the operating cadence: forecast, budget, board reporting, ongoing decisions. |
| Project | A fixed fee for a defined deliverable and timeline. | You need a specific output: a fundraise model, a forecast rebuild, diligence preparation. |
What drives the fee up or down
- Hours and involvement. One day a week costs less than three. Retainers follow the hours.
- Complexity. Multiple entities, international operations, or an acquisition in flight need more senior time than a single-entity domestic business.
- Responsibilities. Ongoing forecast and board ownership costs more than intermittent counsel. Fundraise and transaction work carries more hours and more risk.
- Experience of the CFO. A finance leader who has operated inside an investor-backed business charges for that judgment, not just the hours.
- State of the books. If the financial records need repair before planning can begin, that work takes time regardless of the model.
What to clarify before signing
Two quotes at the same price can be completely different engagements. Before signing, get clarity on each of these in writing:
- Scope: what responsibilities are included and what is explicitly out of scope.
- Deliverables: what you receive each month or at each milestone: forecast, board pack, reporting cadence.
- Availability: how many hours or days, and how responsive they are between scheduled days.
- Fees: the fee, what counts as included time, and what gets billed extra.
- Extra charges: travel, tools, data room costs, or support beyond the defined scope.
- Term and termination: how long the commitment runs, how either side ends it, and what notice is required.
- Responsibility for maintaining the work: who keeps the forecast and reporting current once built, and what happens if the engagement ends.
How to think about the value
A fractional CFO is not a cost line to minimize; it is a decision-support investment. The value shows up in decisions made on trusted numbers. The forecast is one the board believes. Cash needs are seen coming. Materials hold up in diligence. Compare the engagement against the cost and risk of the alternative: making major decisions without senior finance leadership in the room.
FAQ
What does a fractional CFO cost per month?
Market examples published by providers range roughly from $3,000 to $12,000+ per month, sized to hours and scope (Milestone, 2026; K38 Consulting, 2025). The fee depends on the responsibilities, the complexity of the business, and the level of involvement.
Do fractional CFOs charge hourly?
Some do. Published provider guides report market examples of roughly $150 to $500 per hour (Milestone, 2026; Graphite Financial, 2025/26; K38 Consulting, 2025). Hourly usually fits intermittent advisory work; ongoing engagements more often run on a monthly retainer.
How are TA Strategic Advisory's fees set?
Retained engagements start at $5,000 per month; most run $5,000 to $20,000 depending on cadence and whether a transaction is in process. Defined projects, including the financial modeling sprint at $10,000, are fixed-fee. If you want a number for your situation, describe the stage and the ask on a 30-minute call and I will scope it.