Fractional CFO pricing: packages and budget

Written by Benjamin Ziza · updated on 2 October 2026

Choose a finance leadership scope with a monthly retainer and deliverables defined in the quote. Recurring packages range from EUR 3,000–8,000 excl. VAT/month, depending on the profile and complexity.

Below are the official pricing table, budget examples and scoping criteria. For billing models and alternatives, see our guide to Fractional CFO costs.

Request a quote Fractional CFO

2026 pricing table

Three monthly packages: prices exclude VAT; days are indicative averages
Package	Monthly fee excl. VAT	Indicative days	Included deliverables	Profile
Essential	EUR 3,000–5,000 excl. VAT/month	1 to 2 days per month	Monthly P&L, cash and KPI reporting; 13-week cash forecast; monthly finance review with management; ad hoc support.	Dedicated senior CFO or Finance Manager, with peer review by a partner.
Growth	EUR 5,000–6,500 excl. VAT/month	3 to 5 days per month	Essential scope, plus a 3–5-year business plan, fundraising, non-dilutive debt, post-funding structuring and investor reporting.	Dedicated senior CFO.
Premium	EUR 6,500–8,000 excl. VAT/month	5 to 8 days per month	Growth scope, plus M&A and due diligence, board and governance, international expansion, finance data and BI.	Dedicated senior CFO and financial analyst.

The monthly retainer covers an agreed scope of work and seniority, not hours or a day-rate package. Days shown are observed averages. Any additional scope requires a signed amendment.

The packages above cover recurring support. Interim and one-off assignments are priced separately. No minimum engagement duration; cancellation with 30 days' notice.

Interim CFO: intensive support for a replacement, crisis or transformation. Indicative fee: EUR 8,000–12,000 excl. VAT/month, quoted separately. Duration and handover are agreed during scoping.

One-off assignment: financial preparation for fundraising, seller assistance, buyer due diligence or a finance function review. Each receives a specific quote based on entities, data, deliverables and schedule. These services are not assumed to be part of a recurring retainer.

Three examples to prepare your budget

Simulated budgets excluding VAT and any additional expenses: the quote confirms scope
Example need	Monthly reference	Three-month budget	Check during scoping
SME: organise reporting and cash monitoring	EUR 3,000–5,000 excl. VAT/month	9,000–15,000 EUR excl. VAT	Account quality, indicators and contacts
Growing business: strengthen budgeting and reporting	EUR 5,000–6,500 excl. VAT/month	15,000–19,500 EUR excl. VAT	Entities, forecasts and review frequency
Multi-entity group: coordinate finance leadership	EUR 6,500–8,000 excl. VAT/month	19,500–24,000 EUR excl. VAT	Consolidation complexity, governance and projects

These examples apply package ranges to three months. They are simulations, not client engagements or a minimum commitment period. The need alone does not automatically determine the package: profile and scope are assessed together.

What is included and what needs a separate quote

Included in the retainer: deliverables and discussions within the agreed scope. The quote details reporting, forecasts, meetings, contacts and expected availability.

Specify separately: software licences, external accountant or adviser fees, travel and any out-of-scope transaction. Fundraising, due diligence or a major migration should not be assumed included unless stated in the quote.

Changing needs: additional scope requires a signed amendment. Days are indicative; the commitment covers the scope of work.

Request a quote for my scope: share the number of entities, tools, main priority and desired start date.

What our clients actually pay

Across our Fractional CFO engagements, 40% of clients use Essential, around EUR 3,000 excl. VAT/month; 40% use Growth, around EUR 5,000 excl. VAT/month; and 20% pay more, for Premium or an interim assignment. These are rounded references, not the boundaries of individual invoices: recurring packages remain EUR 3,000–8,000 excl. VAT/month depending on scope.

This distribution was observed in our portfolio on 1 September 2026 and rounded to the nearest ten percentage points. It changes with engagements. It does not replace a quote, but answers a practical question: what do other clients pay?

What affects the price?

Several factors affect the final cost. Experience: a CFO with five years' experience does not have the same cost as one with twenty. All Iter Advisors partners have more than ten years' experience in corporate finance.

Complexity: simple accounting with one legal entity requires less time than a multi-country structure with foreign currencies, subsidiaries and consolidation obligations.

Sector: SaaS, e-commerce and biotech may require specific expertise that can justify higher fees.

On-site arrangements are agreed during scoping. Any travel expenses are separate from the retainer and specified in the quote.

Comparing alternatives

Accounting outsourcing fees relate to a separate engagement agreed with the accounting firm.

Fractional versus in-house CFO: our reference for comparable seniority is EUR 100,000–213,000 in annual employer cost, including employment charges. Iter packages represent EUR 36,000–96,000 excl. VAT/year for a part-time scope. The right choice depends on actual needs: part-time support and full-time employment do not provide the same availability.

Fractional CFO versus external accountant: the accountant prepares accounts and handles tax and social compliance within its mandate. The CFO manages financial performance. The roles are complementary; a structured SME typically needs accounting compliance and finance leadership.

Fractional CFO versus financial consultant: a consultant handles a defined project and leaves after completion. A Fractional CFO develops an ongoing relationship and knows your history. Recurring needs often suit the latter format.

How does billing work?

The service agreement defines scope, deliverables, contacts and monthly fees. Days give an availability reference; they are not a contractual day-rate package.

Billing is monthly, payable within 30 days. Discussions within the agreed scope are included. Additional scope requires a signed amendment. No minimum engagement duration; cancellation with 30 days' notice.

How do I get a quote?

To get a personalised quote, contact us for an initial 30-minute discussion. Together we assess your needs, current financial situation and appropriate involvement.

We then prepare a detailed proposal, with scope and a schedule agreed together.

Our other CFO pages

For recurring arrangements, see part-time CFO; for a temporary replacement or transformation, interim CFO; for responsibilities, the CFO role; and for sector specifics, CFO support by sector. The full offer is on our Fractional CFO page. Interim and project work receive separate quotes.

FAQ: Fractional CFO fees

Are the fees tax deductible?

Check with your tax adviser based on the company's situation, applicable rules and supporting documents. This page does not provide a tax assessment.

Can the fee be negotiated?

We can adapt the entrusted scope to your budget. Package prices follow the profile engaged and the published pricing table.

What do most clients pay?

On 1 September 2026, around 40% used Essential at approximately EUR 3,000 excl. VAT/month, 40% Growth around EUR 5,000, and 20% paid more. These rounded references are not invoice boundaries and do not replace a quote.

Is there a minimum engagement period?

No minimum duration; cancellation requires 30 days' notice.

Does the fee include travel?

For on-site work, travel and accommodation when needed are charged separately at actual cost, as agreed in the quote. Remote support does not incur travel expenses.

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