Senior offshore CFOs (ex-Big 4, ex-controller, 15+ years US finance leadership experience) available on a fractional basis: 10, 20, or 40 hours per month. Financial strategy, fundraising support, board reporting, investor decks, cash management, M&A prep. $3,200–$8,400/month depending on hours.
A fractional CFO is a senior financial executive who provides CFO-level services on a part-time, contract, or retainer basis rather than as a full-time employee. Typical engagement: 10–40 hours per month at rates ranging from $150–$350/hour for US-based fractional CFOs, or $40–$110/hour for senior offshore CFOs with equivalent Big 4 or large-firm backgrounds.
The role covers what a full-time CFO would cover in a larger company, but sized for a smaller business: financial strategy, fundraising coordination, board reporting, investor relations, cash management, banking relationships, M&A preparation, due diligence response, and strategic decision support. What a fractional CFO does NOT typically do: daily bookkeeping, transaction coding, routine AP/AR processing. That work stays with your bookkeeper or accounting team.
Our fractional CFO pricing is transparent and rate-based. No minimum annual commitments for shorter engagements; no hidden retainers.
| Engagement tier | Hours/month | Monthly cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light-touch advisory | 10–15 hrs | $1,800–$2,800 | Established business with existing finance team, periodic strategic input |
| Standard fractional CFO | 20–30 hrs | $3,200–$5,400 | Growing business, active fundraising, board reporting, strategic finance leadership |
| Heavy fractional / near full-time | 40–60 hrs | $5,400–$8,400 | Pre-exit, active M&A, major strategic pivot, interim CFO gap |
| Project-specific engagement | Variable | $4,500–$25,000 per project | One-time projects: fundraise prep, QoE, integration accounting |
US-based fractional CFO providers typically charge $150–$350/hour (or $3,000–$15,000/month depending on hours). Well-known providers (Preferred CFO, Focus CFO, NOW CFO, Pilot, Burkland) operate in this range. Our offshore fractional CFOs are typically 40–60% less for equivalent seniority and scope.
The trade-off: US-based fractional CFOs can do in-person board meetings, attend on-site leadership sessions, and occasionally meet with bankers in person. Our offshore CFOs operate via video and structured async communication. For businesses that value remote-first operation (which is most businesses post-2020), this is a feature rather than a limitation.
For the controller/controller-CFO distinction, see offshore controller. For broader outsourced finance scope, see outsourced accounting.
FAQ
Different terms for similar services. "Fractional CFO" emphasizes part-time commitment. "Outsourced CFO" emphasizes external provider. "Virtual CFO" emphasizes remote delivery. In practice, all three describe the same role: a senior finance executive serving multiple clients part-time. See our outsourced CFO page for the same service framed differently.
Typically 2–3 weeks from initial call to first CFO session. Candidate matching and interview takes 1 week; first-month onboarding (understanding the business, reading existing financials, aligning on priorities) takes another week.
Typical profile: CA (Chartered Accountant, Indian equivalent of CPA) or CPA, plus 12–25 years of US finance experience. Often Big 4 alumni (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG), Fortune 500 corporate finance backgrounds, or large US-firm offshore delivery center leadership. Specific credentials visible on candidate profile before engagement.
Yes. Fundraising work is mostly document preparation and analysis (financial models, data room, due diligence response) – none of which requires physical presence. Investor pitch meetings and banker relationships are more effective with the founder/CEO as primary voice regardless of whether the CFO is remote or local.
Yes. Entity-level NDA between your business and OffshoreAccounting.com, plus individual NDA from the fractional CFO assigned. See our NDA template for sample language.
Typical 3-month minimum for ongoing retainer engagements, so there's time to onboard and build value. Project engagements (single fundraise prep, specific QoE, interim CFO coverage) have their own scoping and timeline.
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