What is the difference between a part-time and full-time CFO?

A part-time (fractional) CFO works with your company on a limited basis—typically 8-25 hours per month—while serving multiple clients. A full-time CFO is a dedicated employee working exclusively for your company 40+ hours per week. Both provide strategic financial leadership, but the engagement model and cost differ significantly.

How much cheaper is a part-time CFO?

Part-time CFO services typically cost 70-90% less than a full-time hire. While a full-time CFO costs $300,000-$500,000+ annually (salary, benefits, bonus, equity), part-time CFO services range from $36,000-$180,000 per year depending on engagement level.

At what revenue should I hire a full-time CFO?

Most companies transition to a full-time CFO between $30-100M in revenue, though complexity matters more than size. If you need daily financial leadership, have a large finance team to manage, or are preparing for IPO, full-time may be appropriate earlier.

Can a part-time CFO do everything a full-time CFO does?

A part-time CFO can perform most CFO functions—strategic planning, fundraising, board relations, etc.—but with less time availability. For routine strategic needs, part-time works well. For daily operational involvement or managing a large finance team, full-time may be necessary.

How do I transition from part-time to full-time CFO?

Many companies work with their fractional CFO to hire a full-time replacement. The fractional CFO can help define the role, participate in hiring, and support onboarding. Some fractional CFOs transition to full-time with clients they're well-matched with.

Part-Time CFO vs Full-Time CFO: Which Is Right for You in 2026?

"Should I hire a full-time CFO or use part-time services?" This question comes up constantly as companies grow. The answer depends on your stage, complexity, and specific needs—and the right choice can save you hundreds of thousands of dollars while still getting the financial leadership you need.

Part-Time vs Full-Time: The Quick Overview

Part-time (fractional) CFO services provide executive-level financial leadership on a limited basis, typically 8-25 hours per month. Full-time CFOs are dedicated employees working exclusively for your company.

The Bottom Line

Most companies between $2M-$50M in revenue get better value from part-time CFO services. Full-time typically makes sense above $50M or when you need daily operational involvement.

What Is a Part-Time CFO?

A part-time CFO (also called fractional CFO) is an experienced financial executive who provides strategic leadership to your company on a flexible basis. They typically:

Work with multiple clients simultaneously
Engage 8-25 hours per month with each client
Focus on strategic activities rather than daily operations
Charge monthly retainers of $3,000-$15,000
Bring broad experience from multiple companies

Part-Time CFO Services Include

Financial strategy and planning
Budgeting and forecasting
Cash flow management
Board and investor reporting
Fundraising support
KPI development and tracking
Strategic decision analysis

What Is a Full-Time CFO?

A full-time CFO is a dedicated executive employee who provides comprehensive financial leadership 40+ hours per week. They typically:

Work exclusively for one company
Are present daily for operational involvement
Manage finance teams directly
Receive salary, benefits, bonus, and often equity
Total compensation: $300,000-$500,000+ annually

Full-Time CFO Responsibilities Include

Everything a part-time CFO does, plus:
Day-to-day finance team management
Operational involvement in daily decisions
Building and developing finance organization
Deep integration with executive team
Availability for constant ad-hoc needs

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Part-Time CFORecommended	Full-Time CFO
Annual Cost	$36,000 - $180,000	$300,000 - $500,000+
Time to Start	Days to weeks	4-6 months to hire
Availability	8-25 hours/month	40+ hours/week
Flexibility	Scale up/down easily	Fixed commitment
Experience Breadth	Multiple companies	Single company focus
Team Management	Oversight, not daily	Direct management
Equity Expectation	Typically none	Often significant
Best For	$2M-$50M companies	$50M+ companies

When to Choose Part-Time CFO Services

Part-time CFO services are ideal when:

Revenue is $2M-$50M

Your business needs strategic guidance but doesn't require daily CFO presence.

Budget Constraints

You want CFO expertise but can't justify $300K+ for a full-time hire.

Strategic Focus

You need strategic planning, fundraising support, or board reporting—not daily operations.

Variable Needs

Your CFO needs fluctuate (heavier during fundraising, lighter in stable periods).

Diverse Perspective

You value insights from someone who works with multiple companies.

Speed to Start

You need financial leadership quickly, not 4-6 months from now.

When to Choose Full-Time CFO

Full-time CFO makes sense when:

Revenue exceeds $50M+ with complex operations requiring daily attention
Large finance team needs daily management and development
IPO preparation or public company requirements
Complex M&A activity requiring constant involvement
Board/investor expectations specifically require full-time presence
Operational complexity demands constant CFO availability

Transitioning Between Models

Many companies start with part-time and transition to full-time as they grow:

Typical Progression

$2-10M: Part-time CFO (8-15 hours/month)
$10-30M: Part-time CFO (15-25 hours/month), perhaps with internal controller
$30-50M: Heavy part-time engagement, evaluate full-time need
$50M+: Transition to full-time, often with part-time CFO helping hire

How Your Part-Time CFO Can Help

When it's time for full-time, your fractional CFO can:

Define the full-time CFO role and requirements
Help screen and interview candidates
Provide reference checks and evaluation
Support onboarding and transition
Remain available for occasional consultation

Not Sure Which Model Is Right?

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your specific situation. We'll help you determine whether part-time or full-time CFO services best fit your needs—with no pressure either way.

Schedule Free Consultation

Part-Time CFO vs Full-Time CFO: Making the Right Choice

What is the difference between a part-time CFO and a full-time CFO?