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Complete hourly rate benchmarks for UK fractional CFOs. £150-£500/hour depending on experience, location, and specialization.
UK fractional CFOs charge £150-£500 per hour with an average of £200-£350/hour. Rates depend on experience level, industry expertise, location, and project complexity. Most fractional CFOs prefer day rates (£700-£1,500/day) over hourly billing due to better value and less admin.
While hourly rates help with comparisons, most fractional CFOs prefer day rates. Here's why:
• Hourly at £300/hour × 8 hours = £2,400/day
• Day rate = £1,050 average (saves you £1,350/day or 56%!)
• Day rates align incentives—focus on outcomes, not billable hours
• Less admin overhead tracking hours
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Highest rates in UK. Large talent pool. Premium for FinTech, PE, VC experience.
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Strong FinTech scene. 15-20% below London rates. Good value.
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Growing tech hub. 20-25% below London. Quality talent available.
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Midlands hub. 25-30% below London. Strong manufacturing CFO base.
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Financial services hub. Good talent. Similar to Birmingham pricing.
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Growing startup scene. Aerospace sector. 20% below London.
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DeepTech hub. Life sciences. Premium rates for specialized expertise.
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Best value. Access to UK-wide talent. 20-30% cost savings vs London.
| Industry | Hourly Rate Range | Premium vs Baseline | Why Premium? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SaaS / Tech | £250-£500 | +20-30% | High demand, specialized metrics (ARR, CAC, LTV), fundraising expertise |
| FinTech | £300-£500 | +30-40% | Regulatory complexity, compliance expertise, high salaries baseline |
| Life Sciences / Biotech | £280-£450 | +25-35% | Clinical trial budgeting, R&D tax credits, grant funding expertise |
| E-Commerce | £200-£380 | +10-20% | Inventory management, unit economics, marketplace dynamics |
| Professional Services | £180-£350 | Baseline | Standard baseline, straightforward financials |
| Manufacturing | £170-£330 | -5-10% | Traditional sector, less competition for CFO talent |
| Retail / Hospitality | £150-£300 | -10-20% | Lower margins, less complex finance needs |
Complex, high-stakes projects command premium rates. Here's what to expect:
Premium rates due to high-stakes nature. CFO builds investor model, manages due diligence, presents to VCs. Often structured as fixed-fee project (£25-50k for Series A).
Highest hourly rates. Specialized expertise in buy-side or sell-side DD, valuation, deal structuring. Tight deadlines. High liability.
Top-tier rates for rare expertise. Building audit controls, implementing SOX compliance, preparing for public company reporting.
Premium for crisis expertise. CFO manages creditors, restructures debt, extends runway. High pressure, immediate impact required.
Standard rates for ongoing fractional work. Board reporting, FP&A, team leadership, systems implementation. Usually structured as day rate instead.
Lower rates for advisory-only work with no accountability. No team management, no board presentations. Often for very small companies or specific questions.
Based on 2.5 days/week x 2 clients x 48 working weeks. CMO UK average day rate: £950.
BetaThis calculator provides rough estimates for illustration only. Actual rates and salaries vary based on location, experience, industry, and market conditions. Consult with a qualified accountant for accurate financial planning.
Understanding which pricing model saves you the most money:
• 16 hours/day × 2 days = 16 hours/week
• 16 hours × £300 = £4,800/week
• £4,800 × 12 weeks = £57,600 total
• £1,200 × 2 days = £2,400/week
• £2,400 × 12 weeks = £28,800 total
Saves £28,800 (50% cheaper than hourly!)
• £9,000 × 3 months = £27,000 total
Saves £30,600 vs hourly (53% cheaper)
But less flexible—locked into 3-month commitment
| Model | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Rate | Ad-hoc advisory, <5hrs/month | Very flexible, pay per hour | Most expensive, admin overhead, incentive misalignment |
| Day Rate | 1-3 days/week ongoing | 50% cheaper than hourly, flexible, outcome-focused | Still tracks days (minor admin) |
| Monthly Retainer | 6-12 month engagements | Most cost-effective, predictable budgeting, 5-10% discount | Less flexible, committed for duration |
Recommendation
Start with day rates for first 2-3 months to test fit, then move to monthly retainer if it's working well. Avoid hourly unless you truly only need 3-5 hours/month of advisory.
Explore opportunities or find the right fractional CFO for your business.