When Should a Growing Business Hire a Fractional CFO?

A fractional CFO is a senior finance leader who works with your business on a part-time or project basis - typically a few days per month - at a fraction of the cost of a full-time executive. For founders between $1M and $25M in revenue, it is often the highest-leverage hire they make.

Five signs you're ready

• Monthly results arrive more than 15 days after month-end, or do not match your bank reality.
• You are raising capital, refinancing debt, or preparing for an acquisition.
• Cash forecasting is done in your head - and you've been surprised more than once.
• Gross margin has slipped and nobody can tell you why.
• You are spending leadership time on tasks a controller or bookkeeper should own.

What a fractional CFO actually does

Beyond closing the books, the role is forward-looking: a 13-week cash forecast, a rolling 12-month financial model, KPI dashboards tied to operating decisions, scenario planning for hiring and pricing, and direct support during banker, investor and audit conversations.

How to evaluate a fit

Ask for examples from companies your size and industry. Confirm they will work alongside your bookkeeper or controller rather than replace them. Agree on a 90-day deliverables roadmap before signing - vague monthly retainers are how the relationship fails.