How does part-time 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 part-time 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 Part-Time 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 part-time CFO 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.

Engagements start at $5,000/month. Below that price point, you’ll get better economics from a part-time controller or outsourced bookkeeping — we’re not the right fit, and we won’t pretend otherwise.

Take the readiness assessment Schedule a CFO Call

Full-Time CFO

$250K – $400K+/yr

vs.

Part-Time 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 Part-Time 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 - 3 days per week, regular schedule, 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 Part-Time CFO or Part-Time 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.

Part-Time 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 Part-Time 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 - 3 days per week, regular schedule, 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 Part-Time CFO or Part-Time 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