120+ Chief Financial Officer roles for startups and scale-ups. £900-£1,400 daily rates. Lead fundraising, financial planning, and strategic finance for innovative companies.
A Fractional CFO is an experienced Chief Financial Officer who works part-time with startups and scale-ups, providing strategic financial leadership, fundraising expertise, and board-level finance guidance without the full-time cost.
Work 1-3 days per week per client. Provide strategic financial guidance without full-time overhead.
Typically work with 2-4 companies simultaneously. Diverse challenges, higher total compensation.
Lead Series A/B fundraising, investor relations, board reporting. Strategic finance expertise.
Most sought-after financial expertise for fractional CFO roles in 2025
Very High demand
52 roles require this
Very High demand
61 roles require this
High demand
48 roles require this
Very High demand
44 roles require this
High demand
38 roles require this
High demand
42 roles require this
High-growth sectors hiring fractional CFOs
+32% YoY
38 active roles
Avg: £1,100/day
+28% YoY
34 active roles
Avg: £1,250/day
+24% YoY
22 active roles
Avg: £1,000/day
+35% YoY
18 active roles
Avg: £1,100/day
+22% YoY
14 active roles
Avg: £1,050/day
+18% YoY
12 active roles
Avg: £950/day
Financial foundation, fundraise prep, unit economics
Growth metrics, Series B prep, investor reporting
Scale finance operations, M&A, profitability
Exit preparation, strategic finance, transformation
Lead funding rounds, investor pitch decks, financial projections, due diligence
Build financial models, scenario planning, budgeting, forecasting
Monthly board decks, KPI tracking, variance analysis, strategic insights
Runway analysis, burn rate optimization, working capital management
Hire finance team, establish processes, systems selection
Tax planning, audit management, financial controls, risk mitigation
48 CFO roles
£1,000-£1,400/day
Mostly hybrid
14 CFO roles
£850-£1,150/day
Hybrid/Remote
11 CFO roles
£800-£1,100/day
Hybrid/Remote
9 CFO roles
£900-£1,200/day
Hybrid/Remote
8 CFO roles
£850-£1,100/day
Hybrid/Remote
58 CFO roles
£800-£1,100/day
Fully remote
Real insights into the fractional CFO market in 2025
The fractional CFO market is booming. According to Glassdoor, the average fractional CFO in the UK earns £157,758 annually, with London fractional CFOs averaging £182,029 - 16% higher than the national average. Top earners reach £440,000+ annually.
Day rates range from £1,500-£3,000 for experienced fractional CFOs, with most charging £900-£1,400 depending on experience and location. Companies report significant cost savings: a full-time CFO in London costs £190,000-£300,000 in salary alone (excluding benefits, equity, overhead). A fractional CFO at £1,200/day for 2 days/week costs £125,000 annually - substantial savings while getting senior expertise.
The demand is particularly strong for Series A and B fundraising expertise. 75% of fractional CFO roles involve leading or supporting funding rounds. With CFO wages rising £50,000 in London in 2024, the fractional model offers companies flexible access to senior financial leadership without the full-time commitment.
"As a Fractional CFO, I work with two SaaS companies preparing for Series B and one FinTech startup. I earn £190k annually working 3 days a week total - more than my previous full-time CFO role. The fundraising work is the most rewarding part."
David Patterson
Fractional CFO • 16 years in finance
Previously: CFO at Series B SaaS company
Expertise: Series A/B fundraising, SaaS metrics
"Transitioning to fractional CFO work was perfect for my lifestyle. I guide two high-growth startups through their financial strategy and fundraising. London FinTech companies pay £1,200-£1,400/day. I typically work 6-8 days per month per client."
Emma Richardson
Fractional CFO • 14 years
Previously: Finance Director at FTSE250
Expertise: FinTech, financial modelling, fundraising
"I built my fractional CFO practice over 2 years. Now I work with 4 companies across SaaS, E-commerce, and HealthTech. The variety keeps me engaged, and the economics are compelling - I earn 50% more than my last full-time CFO role with better work-life balance."
Robert Taylor
Fractional CFO • 18 years
Previously: Group CFO at private equity portfolio company
Expertise: FP&A, board reporting, M&A
Everything you need to know about fractional CFO careers
A fractional CFO job is a part-time Chief Financial Officer role where you provide strategic financial leadership to a company for 1-4 days per week. Instead of one full-time position, fractional CFOs typically work with 2-4 companies simultaneously, providing each with experienced financial expertise at a fraction of full-time cost. You handle fundraising, financial planning, board reporting, and building finance operations.
UK fractional CFOs typically earn £900-£1,400 per day depending on location, industry, and experience. London roles command £1,000-£1,400/day, with the average at £1,100. Working with 2-3 clients at 2-3 days per week each, fractional CFOs earn £180,000-£250,000+ annually. London fractional CFOs average £182,000/year, which is often more than full-time CFO salaries.
Most fractional CFO roles require 12-18 years of finance experience with at least 5-7 years in senior leadership (Finance Director, CFO, VP Finance). You need proven track record of fundraising (Series A/B), financial modelling, board reporting, and building finance teams. Experience in startups or high-growth companies is highly valued. ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification is often required.
Fractional CFOs handle fundraising strategy, financial modelling, board reporting, cash management, investor relations, and compliance. You're responsible for preparing companies for funding rounds, building financial projections, establishing KPI frameworks, managing runway, hiring finance team members, and serving as the financial voice to the CEO and board.
Most fractional CFOs work with 2-4 companies simultaneously. Each client typically requires 1-3 days per week. Start with 1-2 clients to build your practice, then scale to 3-4 as you establish processes. Working with 4+ clients often leads to quality issues unless clients are very mature or have strong finance teams already in place.
Fundraising and investor relations are critical for 70%+ of fractional CFO roles. Financial modelling (especially for SaaS/subscription businesses), FP&A, unit economics, SaaS metrics (ARR, CAC, LTV, magic number), and Series A/B fundraising experience are highly valued. Understanding venture capital and preparing board materials are essential skills for fractional CFOs.
About 45% of fractional CFO jobs are fully remote, 45% are hybrid (1-2 days per week on-site), and 10% require regular office presence. London roles typically expect 1-2 days per week in office for board meetings and key discussions. Remote roles often require quarterly visits for board meetings and strategic planning sessions.
SaaS/Cloud companies (38 roles), FinTech (34 roles), E-commerce (22 roles), and HealthTech (18 roles) are the top hirers of fractional CFOs. PropTech and Consumer Tech also have strong demand. Early-stage startups (Seed through Series B) represent 75% of fractional CFO opportunities, particularly those preparing for fundraising.
Fractional CFOs work part-time (1-3 days/week) with multiple clients simultaneously and engagements last 12-36+ months. Interim CFOs are full-time temporary replacements during hiring, maternity cover, or transitions, typically lasting 3-9 months. Fractional offers more flexibility and higher total earnings through multiple clients. Fractional is strategic, interim is operational.
Use specialized fractional job boards (Fractional Quest, FractionalJobs.io), work with finance recruitment agencies (Marks Sattin, Bain & Gray, Robert Walters), network in CFO communities, and leverage LinkedIn. Many fractional CFO roles come through personal networks, referrals from investors, and introductions from portfolio companies. Building a strong LinkedIn presence helps significantly.
Fractional CFO engagements typically last 18-36 months, longer than other fractional roles. Many relationships evolve into ongoing advisory work or extend through multiple funding rounds. Companies often keep their fractional CFO through Series A and B, only hiring full-time at Series C or profitability. The strategic nature creates long, valuable relationships.
Most fractional CFO roles prefer ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualification, though it's not always mandatory. What's essential is strategic finance experience - fundraising, financial modelling, board reporting. If you have 15+ years of CFO/Finance Director experience without a qualification, you can still succeed. However, qualification helps with credibility, especially for regulated industries.
Context switching between companies with different financial systems and models, managing multiple board cycles simultaneously, irregular income during client acquisition, and not being present for day-to-day decisions. You need strong time management, ability to identify highest-leverage work, and comfort with ambiguity. Missing critical financial moments due to part-time presence can be challenging.
Fractional CFOs lead the entire fundraising process: building financial models and projections, creating investor pitch decks, preparing data rooms, managing due diligence, negotiating term sheets, and coordinating with lawyers and investors. During active fundraising (typically 3-6 months), fractional CFOs often increase their time commitment to 3-4 days per week with that client.
Generally no. Fractional CFO roles require proven experience and track record at CFO or Finance Director level. Companies hire fractional CFOs specifically for senior expertise they can't afford full-time. You need 12-18+ years experience, successful fundraising track record, and demonstrated ability to build financial operations. Build your experience full-time first, ideally through at least two companies and one successful fundraise.
Fractional CFOs focus on strategic finance: fundraising, board relations, investor management, and high-level financial strategy. Finance Directors are more operational: day-to-day finance operations, team management, and execution. Some fractional roles combine both, but CFO is typically more strategic and externally-focused on investors and board.
Most charge daily rates (£900-£1,400/day) with monthly retainers based on committed days. Some use monthly packages (e.g., £7,500/month for 2 days/week). Avoid hourly billing for strategic work. Price based on value delivered - fundraising success often justifies premium rates. London/FinTech roles command 20-30% premiums. Day rates increase for Series B+ companies.
Yes, commonly. Fractional CFOs typically receive 0.25-0.75% equity for significant engagements with early-stage startups. Equity is usually in addition to day rate fees. This is more common than for other fractional roles due to the strategic nature and fundraising involvement. Evaluate equity carefully - prefer companies with clear path to Series B+ where your equity will vest.
Very strong. Fractional CFO demand grew 32% year-over-year and is expected to continue. More startups recognize the value of part-time senior financial leadership, especially for fundraising. The average seed-stage company can't justify £180k+ for a full-time CFO but desperately needs strategic finance guidance. The fractional CFO model solves this perfectly.
Focus on financial principles that transcend specific tools. Strong fractional CFOs can work with any financial system (Xero, QuickBooks, NetSuite, etc.). Your value is strategic thinking, fundraising expertise, and financial planning - not bookkeeping. Many fractional CFOs establish standard templates and models that work across clients, adapting to each company's specific needs and systems.
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