An interim CFO steps in on a full-time, temporary basis, typically to cover an unexpected gap - a sudden resignation, parental leave, or a period of transition while you search for a permanent hire. Unlike a fractional CFO, an interim CFO is fully embedded in your business for the duration of the engagement, usually a few months to a year.

The short version: time commitment and purpose. A fractional CFO works part-time on an ongoing basis, focused on strategy and financial leadership as your company grows. An interim CFO works full-time for a defined period, typically to stabilize the business during a leadership gap, crisis, or major transaction. Some companies use an interim CFO to get through an immediate need, then shift to a fractional model for ongoing support.

Fractional CFO pricing typically depends on the scope of work and hours involved each month, and generally costs a fraction of a full-time CFO's salary and benefits. Most engagements are structured as a monthly retainer or an hourly rate, scaled to what your business actually needs. Contact us for a quote based on your specific situation.

Because interim CFOs work full-time, they're generally priced higher on a monthly basis than a fractional arrangement - reflecting the full-time commitment and immediate, hands-on involvement in your business. The exact cost depends on the complexity of the situation and the length of the engagement. Contact us to discuss your specific needs.

Common signs it's time: your business is scaling quickly and outgrowing informal financial processes, you're preparing for a fundraising round, you're facing margin or cash flow pressure, or financial decisions are increasingly being made without a clear analytical framework. If you need senior financial judgment but don't yet need - or can't yet justify - a full-time executive, that's the fractional sweet spot.

If your CFO seat is empty right now and the business needs full-time coverage - due to a sudden departure, a major transaction, or a financial situation that needs immediate, hands-on attention - an interim CFO is typically the better fit. Speed and full-time presence matter more than long-term strategic cadence in these moments.

It depends entirely on the engagement. Some clients need a few hours a week for ongoing oversight and strategic guidance; others need more substantial, near-full-time support during an active fundraise, audit, or transaction. The engagement is built around your company's actual workload, not a fixed formula.

Yes. Preparing investor-ready financials, managing due diligence, and communicating with investors are core parts of the fractional CFO role. This is one of the most common reasons growing companies bring in fractional support - the financial narrative and data room need to hold up under investor scrutiny, and that takes CFO-level expertise.

A bookkeeper or controller manages the day-to-day recording of transactions and accuracy of your books. A fractional CFO operates at a strategic level above that - financial strategy, forecasting, fundraising support, M&A guidance, and executive-level decision-making. Many companies need both: a controller or bookkeeper handling the details, and a fractional CFO setting the direction.

Both models are built for speed compared to a full-time executive search, which often takes several months. A fractional or interim CFO can typically begin engaging with your business within a short timeframe, since there's no lengthy recruiting or onboarding process to navigate.

Yes - and it's common. Some companies bring in an interim CFO to stabilize a specific situation, then transition to an ongoing fractional relationship once things are steady. Others start fractional and scale up support temporarily during a major event like an acquisition or capital raise, then scale back down. The model should flex with what your business actually needs at each stage.

Both - our staffing model, pricing structure, and delivery approach are built to be flexible around your needs and schedule, whether that means working on-site, remote, or a mix of both.

We work with organizations of all sizes, industries, and stages - particularly companies in start-up, hyper-growth, or transition mode, including those preparing for a fundraise, navigating an M&A transaction, or working through a financial leadership gap.