How does fractional CFO pricing compare to a full-time CFO?

A full-time CFO at a mid-market company typically costs $250,000 to $400,000+ in total compensation including salary, benefits, bonus, and equity. Our embedded fractional engagements range from $7,500 to $15,000 per month — delivering executive-level leadership at 20 to 40 percent of the cost.

What is the minimum engagement length?

There is no annual contract. We typically recommend a 90-day initial commitment to allow the two-week onramp to land and the first operating cycle to complete - after which engagements continue month-to-month with 30 days notice in either direction.

How does Interim CFO / COO pricing work?

Interim engagements are full-time coverage during a transition window (departure, integration, turnaround, or pre-search). Pricing reflects full-time involvement and typically runs $18,000 to $30,000+ per month depending on company complexity and scope. Interim engagements are scoped to a defined transition window with a clear hand-off plan.

Can I change tiers as my company grows?

Yes. Many clients start at Strategic Advisor and move to Embedded Fractional as the gap shifts from 'thought partner' to 'CFO in the seat.' We review scope quarterly and adjust deliberately. The reverse is also true - we have transitioned clients down a tier when an internal hire took over the day-to-day.

What is included in a 'day' of fractional time?

A day includes dedicated strategic work, meetings, analysis, and implementation — not clock-watching. Brian is also available between scheduled days for urgent questions, quick reviews, and email-based guidance. The goal is to function as a true member of your leadership team.

Do you offer project-based engagements?

Yes. For specific initiatives like fundraise preparation, financial model builds, system implementations, or M&A support, we offer fixed-scope project engagements with defined deliverables and timelines. See the project-based section above or schedule a call to discuss specifics.

Are there any additional costs beyond the monthly fee?

The monthly fee covers all Catalyst time and advisory. If the engagement requires third-party software, tools, or external consultants (auditors, tax advisors, specialty counsel), those costs are separate and always discussed and approved in advance.

Pricing & engagement tiers

Anchor priced. Month-to-month. No annual contracts.

Three engagement shapes. Same operator-grade talent in every tier. Engagements continue as long as we are creating measurable value - and end at the right moment, by design.

Take the readiness assessment Schedule a CFO Call

Full-Time CFO

$250K – $400K+/yr

vs.

Fractional CFO

$60K – $180K/yr

Save 60–80%

Strategic Advisor

$5,000 – $7,500/month

For founders and CEOs who need a senior thought partner on capital, pricing, and leadership decisions - but already have an internal finance team in place.

Half-day per week or month with Brian
Monthly leadership and board prep
On-call decision support (capital, pricing, hiring)
Quarterly board / investor narrative review
Ad-hoc model and scenario reviews

Schedule a Consultation

Embedded Fractional CFO / COO

$7,500 – $15,000/month

The default engagement. CFO or COO in the seat - building, operating, sitting at the leadership table - without the cost of a full-time hire.

1 - 4 days per week, ongoing
Operating model & 13-week cash forecast
Monthly close discipline and KPI dashboard
Investor / board reporting package
Capital strategy & fundraise execution
Finance team management (controller, BK, FP&A)
AI-augmented finance ops, with guardrails
Available as Fractional CFO or Fractional COO

Schedule a Consultation

Interim CFO / COO

$18,000 – $30,000+/month

Full-time executive coverage during a transition window: departure, integration, turnaround, or pre-search. Drop-in CFO or COO at the seat.

Full-time embedded coverage
Coverage from week one of the transition
Board, lender, and investor continuity
Operating cadence & decision authority
Hand-off plan for the permanent hire
M&A diligence & integration support
Available as Interim CFO or Interim COO

Discuss Interim Coverage

Project-Based Engagements

Need help with a specific initiative? We offer fixed-scope projects with defined deliverables and timelines.

Financial Model Build

Investor-grade financial model with scenarios, assumptions, and presentation-ready outputs.

Typical timeline: 2–4 weeks

Fundraise Readiness Package

Data room preparation, financial model, pitch deck financial narrative, and investor Q&A coaching.

Typical timeline: 4–6 weeks

Finance System Implementation

ERP or accounting platform evaluation, selection, configuration, data migration, and team training.

Typical timeline: 6–12 weeks

M&A Due Diligence Support

Buy-side or sell-side financial due diligence, quality of earnings analysis, and integration planning.

Typical timeline: 4–8 weeks

Discuss a project →

The commitment

No annual contracts. We earn the next month, every month.

30 days notice in either direction. We will tell you when the engagement should end - including when it is time to transition to a full-time CFO or COO. The point of the engagement is to make itself unnecessary.

Pricing FAQ

Not Sure Which Model Fits?

Schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation. We will discuss your needs, recommend the right engagement model, and outline a plan of action.

Schedule a Consultation

Pricing & engagement tiers

Anchor priced. Month-to-month. No annual contracts.

Three engagement shapes. Same operator-grade talent in every tier. Engagements continue as long as we are creating measurable value - and end at the right moment, by design.

Take the readiness assessment Schedule a CFO Call

Full-Time CFO

$250K – $400K+/yr

vs.

Fractional CFO

$60K – $180K/yr

Save 60–80%

Strategic Advisor

$5,000 – $7,500/month

For founders and CEOs who need a senior thought partner on capital, pricing, and leadership decisions - but already have an internal finance team in place.

Half-day per week or month with Brian
Monthly leadership and board prep
On-call decision support (capital, pricing, hiring)
Quarterly board / investor narrative review
Ad-hoc model and scenario reviews

Schedule a Consultation

Embedded Fractional CFO / COO

$7,500 – $15,000/month

The default engagement. CFO or COO in the seat - building, operating, sitting at the leadership table - without the cost of a full-time hire.

1 - 4 days per week, ongoing
Operating model & 13-week cash forecast
Monthly close discipline and KPI dashboard
Investor / board reporting package
Capital strategy & fundraise execution
Finance team management (controller, BK, FP&A)
AI-augmented finance ops, with guardrails
Available as Fractional CFO or Fractional COO

Schedule a Consultation

Interim CFO / COO

$18,000 – $30,000+/month

Full-time executive coverage during a transition window: departure, integration, turnaround, or pre-search. Drop-in CFO or COO at the seat.

Full-time embedded coverage
Coverage from week one of the transition
Board, lender, and investor continuity
Operating cadence & decision authority
Hand-off plan for the permanent hire
M&A diligence & integration support
Available as Interim CFO or Interim COO

Discuss Interim Coverage

Project-Based Engagements

Need help with a specific initiative? We offer fixed-scope projects with defined deliverables and timelines.

Financial Model Build

Investor-grade financial model with scenarios, assumptions, and presentation-ready outputs.

Typical timeline: 2–4 weeks

Fundraise Readiness Package

Data room preparation, financial model, pitch deck financial narrative, and investor Q&A coaching.

Typical timeline: 4–6 weeks

Finance System Implementation

ERP or accounting platform evaluation, selection, configuration, data migration, and team training.

Typical timeline: 6–12 weeks

M&A Due Diligence Support

Buy-side or sell-side financial due diligence, quality of earnings analysis, and integration planning.

Typical timeline: 4–8 weeks

Discuss a project →

The commitment

No annual contracts. We earn the next month, every month.

Pricing FAQ

Not Sure Which Model Fits?

Schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation. We will discuss your needs, recommend the right engagement model, and outline a plan of action.

Schedule a Consultation