Hourly
Best for a defined question or short assignment.
You pay only for the time used, but the total can be difficult to predict when the CFO becomes involved in recurring decisions.
Fractional CFO cost guide
How Much Does a Fractional CFO Cost?
In 2026, ongoing fractional CFO retainers commonly start around $3,000 per month and can reach $10,000–$12,000+ as scope and complexity increase.
Hourly arrangements often fall around $150–$450. Figures Advisors offers a dedicated fractional CFO, monthly bookkeeping, and real-time tax planning for a flat $999 per month. Compare the deliverables—not only the title.
2026 pricing snapshot
Compare the whole finance setup.
Hourly$150–$450 / hour
Retainer$3K–$12K+ / month
Full-time$206K BLS median wage
Figures$999 / month
- $150–$450
- Common published hourly range
- $3K–$12K+
- Common published retainer range
- $999/mo
- Figures CFO, books & tax planning
Quick cost comparison
The price only makes sense when the scope is visible.
| Finance model | Typical cost | Usually covers | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly fractional CFO | $150–$450/hour | Defined advice, models, meetings, or short projects | Monthly cost can move with usage; bookkeeping and tax are often separate |
| Fractional CFO retainer | $3,000–$12,000+/month | Recurring forecasting, reporting, cash planning, and strategic support | Scope varies widely; larger projects and transactional accounting may be excluded |
| Full-time CFO | $206,420/year (BLS) | Full-time leadership inside one company | Benefits, bonuses, recruiting, and equity may add to salary |
| Figures Advisors | $999/month | Dedicated CFO, monthly bookkeeping and close, and real-time tax planning | Tax return preparation and filing are scoped separately |
Published market guides cluster ongoing fractional CFO retainers around $3,000–$12,000+ per month, while hourly work commonly falls around $150–$450.
What changes the price
Five factors move a fractional CFO quote.
“Fractional CFO” can describe a few advisory hours or leadership of a complex finance function. The work behind the title determines the fee.
01
Scope and cadence
A monthly review and occasional model cost less than weekly operating support, board reporting, or leadership of the finance team.
02
Business complexity
Multiple entities, international operations, inventory, financing, or complicated revenue models require more analysis and coordination.
03
Condition of the books
Strategic advice depends on current, reliable records. If bookkeeping is behind or the chart of accounts needs repair, cleanup may be a separate project.
04
Special projects
Fundraising, due diligence, acquisitions, ERP migrations, and audit preparation are often priced outside a standard retainer.
05
The team behind the CFO
Some CFO quotes assume that a bookkeeper, controller, and tax professional are already in place. Compare the combined cost of the finance stack—not only the CFO fee.
How providers charge
The four common fractional CFO pricing models.
Monthly retainer
Best for an ongoing advisory relationship.
The fee usually covers a defined cadence and set of deliverables, with project work or work beyond scope priced separately.
Project fee
Best for a specific output.
A financial model, forecast, lender package, or due-diligence preparation can have a clear endpoint without replacing an ongoing finance cadence.
Flat integrated plan
Best when the books, tax planning, and CFO guidance must work as one system.
Figures uses this model: one flat monthly fee for the core recurring finance function.
Figures Foundations
One finance team. $999 a month.
A dedicated fractional CFO, monthly bookkeeping and close, and real-time tax planning — one flat monthly fee.
Need more? For higher volume, multi-entity, or complex needs — ask about our Operator plan.
Figures Foundations
$999/month
Talk to an advisorNo lock-in · Month-to-month · Cancel anytime
- A dedicated fractional CFO for financial guidance, forecasting, cash-flow decisions, profitability analysis, and owner decision support
- Monthly bookkeeping and close, including current financial statements
- Real-time, year-round tax planning
- In-house IRS-authorized EAs and CPAs
- A dedicated point of contact and a recurring finance cadence
Flat feeNo hourly billingMonth-to-monthTax filings scoped separately
Who it is for
When does the $999 plan make sense?
The plan is designed for solopreneurs and small-business owners who need more than transaction entry but do not need a full in-house finance department.
Your books need to become a dependable monthly decision tool
You want tax implications considered throughout the year
Hiring, pricing, spending, or cash decisions have outgrown a bank-balance view
You are coordinating separate bookkeeping, tax, and advisory providers
You want predictable monthly pricing instead of hourly invoices
A more customized engagement may be appropriate for unusually high transaction volume, multiple entities, active fundraising or M&A, or complex reporting requirements. The right scope should be established before the engagement begins.
Compare providers
Five questions to ask before choosing a fractional CFO.
- 1
What specific deliverables are included each month?
- 2
Does the quote include bookkeeping, close, and financial statements?
- 3
Who handles tax planning, and is tax return preparation separate?
- 4
How are project work, overages, and added entities priced?
- 5
Who will actually do the work, and how often will I meet with the CFO?
A lower quote is not automatically a lower total cost if it assumes you will separately hire the rest of the finance team.
Fractional CFO cost FAQ
Questions about cost, scope, and fit.
How much does a fractional CFO cost per month?
Ongoing fractional CFO retainers commonly start around $3,000 per month and can reach $10,000–$12,000+ as the required hours, complexity, and deliverables increase. Advisory-only relationships may cost less, while transaction-heavy or near-full-time work can cost more.
What is the typical fractional CFO hourly rate?
Published 2026 guides commonly place fractional CFO hourly rates around $150–$450. Experience, specialization, location, and whether the work is strategic or hands-on all affect the rate.
Is a fractional CFO cheaper than a full-time CFO?
Usually, because the business buys only part of an executive’s capacity. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a $206,420 median annual wage for chief executives in May 2024, before potential bonuses, benefits, recruiting costs, or equity.
Does a fractional CFO fee include bookkeeping?
Not always. Many fractional CFO retainers focus on strategic finance and assume a bookkeeper or controller already maintains the records. Figures includes monthly bookkeeping and close with the dedicated CFO and year-round tax planning in its $999 monthly plan.
Does Figures’ $999 plan include tax preparation and filing?
No. The core plan includes real-time, year-round tax planning. Tax return preparation and filing are separate add-on services and are scoped clearly when needed.
Is hourly or monthly CFO pricing better?
Hourly pricing can work for a narrow, defined assignment. A monthly plan is usually easier to budget for when the CFO will support recurring decisions, reporting, and planning. The better model depends on whether you need a project or an ongoing finance cadence.
Keep comparing
Build the right finance setup for your business.
See the core service, understand the bookkeeping foundation, or review the most common questions about Figures’ model.
CFO advisory
Fractional CFO services
See how a dedicated CFO supports cash flow, forecasting, profitability, and owner decisions.
Learn more Monthly booksSmall-business bookkeeping
Understand the monthly close and reporting work that makes CFO advice dependable.
Learn more Scope & processFrequently asked questions
Review what the $999 plan includes, onboarding, tax scope, and how the team works.
Learn moreSources & methodology
Market prices are published provider ranges, not regulated rates. They are presented as directional benchmarks because actual fees vary by scope, complexity, and the team included.
Talk to an advisor
Know what your finance team will cost before the work begins.
Tell us how your books, tax planning, and financial decisions are handled today. We’ll help you see whether the flat $999/month model fits.
A dedicated CFO for the decisions in front of you
Monthly bookkeeping and close on a consistent cadence
Real-time, year-round tax planning
One predictable monthly price for the core finance function
Clear scope before separate tax preparation or filing work
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