Many businesses don't need a full-time (and high-cost) CFO. They need the right financial leader, at the right level, at the right time. Our fractional CFOs have led finance functions at SMBs, mid & large cap companies, and scaling businesses from Series A through to IPO.

What kind of Fractional CFO do you need?

Tier 1: Oversee Finance

Price: $4K–$6K per month (AUD)

For businesses that have the basics covered but need a senior finance leader keeping score and asking the right questions.

• Monthly financial reporting
• Cash flow forecast
• Budget tracking
• KPI review
• Monthly leadership check-in

Best for: Post-revenue businesses with a bookkeeper or finance admin already in place who need strategic oversight without hands-on management.

Tier 2: Run Finance

Price: $8K–$12K per month (AUD)

For businesses that need someone to own the finance function — not just review it, but drive it.

• Monthly financial reporting
• Cash flow forecast
• Budget and KPI review
• High-level financial model
• Scenario analysis
• Board summary reporting

Best for: Companies approaching or past $1M ARR that need a finance leader plugged into the leadership team, not just checking in once a month.

Tier 3: Transaction-Led Finance

Price: $15K–$20K per month (AUD)

For businesses gearing up for a raise, acquisition, or major strategic shift that demands investor-grade financial rigour.

• Monthly financial reporting
• Integrated financial model
• Board and investor reporting
• Fundraising support
• Due diligence support
• Strategic finance advisory

Best for: Companies preparing for Series A+, M&A activity, or any event where the numbers need to withstand serious scrutiny.

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How much does a fractional CFO cost in Australia? 

Most fractional CFO engagements range from $5,000 to $20,000 per month depending on scope. Oversight-level support starts around $4K–$6K/month. Hands-on finance leadership sits between $8K–$12K/month. Transaction-led engagements — fundraising, due diligence, investor reporting — typically run $15K–$20K/month.

When should a startup hire a fractional CFO? 

The clearest signal is when you're past $1M ARR or have just closed a Seed or Series A round. At that point, investors expect financial rigour — cohort analysis, runway forecasting, board-ready reporting — that a bookkeeper can't deliver. If you're pre-revenue, your cash is better spent elsewhere.

What does a fractional CFO actually do? 

It depends on the engagement level. At a minimum, they own your financial reporting, cash flow forecasting, and KPI tracking. At the upper end, they build integrated financial models, run scenario analysis, lead fundraising processes, and manage due diligence. They're a strategic finance leader — not an accountant.

Fractional CFO or a full-time permanent CFO -- which do I need? 

A full-time CFO costs AUD$350K+ per year in salary and equity -- and that’s not counting the offboarding costs. That makes sense for large or public companies. For most scaling businesses, a fractional CFO delivers the same strategic capability at a fraction of the cost — typically 1–2 days per week — without the long-term commitment.