What is a Fractional CFO? And Do You Need One?
If you’ve ever thought, “I know I should understand my numbers better, but I don’t have time to figure it out,” you’re not alone. Many small and mid-sized business owners hit a point where the books are clean enough for taxes, but they don’t provide the clarity needed to make confident decisions.
That’s where a Fractional CFO comes in.
What is a Fractional CFO?
A Fractional CFO is a Chief Financial Officer who works with your company on a part-time or project basis. Instead of paying a six-figure salary for a full-time CFO, you get the expertise you need — when you need it.
Think of it like this:
Your bookkeeper records transactions.
Your CPA files taxes.
A Fractional CFO helps you see the road ahead and make decisions with confidence.
What Does a Fractional CFO Do?
A good Fractional CFO steps beyond “bean counting” and brings clarity in areas such as:
Budgeting & Forecasting → Making sure you don’t just survive, but can invest in growth.
KPI Dashboards → Tracking the numbers that matter, not just reports that sit in a binder.
Strategy & Planning → Copilots building a clear annual plan and roadmap for your business.
Financing & Banking Support → Preparing investor or lender packages that inspire confidence.
System & Process Improvements → Helping you get traction from ERP, accounting, or reporting systems.
Signs You Might Need a Fractional CFO
You don’t need to be a Fortune 500 company to benefit from a CFO. Here are a few common signals:
You’re profitable on paper but always short on cash.
You don’t fully trust your numbers when making decisions.
Month-end reporting takes too long — and isn’t useful.
Your accountant does taxes, but no one is helping with forward-looking strategy.
You’re planning growth, an acquisition, or a refinancing — and need stronger financials.
If these sound familiar, you’re probably ready for CFO-level insight.
Why “Fractional” Works So Well
Hiring a full-time CFO can cost $180,000–$240,000 in base salary and with benefits and other costs, it can reach $245,000-$335,000. This is often out of reach for small and mid-sized businesses. With a Fractional CFO, you only pay for the fraction of time you need:
Weekly or monthly support through a retainer.
Project-based work when you have a big milestone ahead.
It’s flexibility without losing expertise.
Why UnBean Numbers?
At UnBean Numbers, we’re not your bean counter. We go beyond bookkeeping and compliance to deliver clarity, traction, and strategic financial leadership. Our job is to make sure your numbers work for you — not against you.
Whether you’re preparing for growth, stabilizing cash flow, or just need someone to translate the numbers into plain English, a Fractional CFO can give you the clarity and confidence to move forward.
Ready to Talk?
👉 Book a free consultation today. In just 30 minutes, you’ll know whether a Fractional CFO is the right fit for your business.