Fractional CFO Salary Overview
Fractional CFO salary in the UK varies significantly based on experience, location, industry specialisation, and client portfolio. Unlike full-time CFO roles with fixed annual salaries, fractional CFOs charge day rates—typically ranging from £800 to £1,500 per day in 2025.
The fractional CFO pay model offers higher effective hourly earnings than most full-time positions. A fractional CFO working 3 days per week at £1,100/day earns approximately £170,000 annually—comparable to a full-time CFO at a Series B startup, but with significantly more flexibility.
Fractional CFO Day Rates by Experience
| Level | Day Rate | Annual (Est.) | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level Fractional CFO | £700-£900/day | £100k-£140k | 10-15 years |
| Mid-level Fractional CFO | £900-£1,200/day | £140k-£190k | 15-20 years |
| Senior Fractional CFO | £1,200-£1,500/day | £190k-£250k | 20+ years |
*Annual estimates based on 160 billable days per year
Fractional CFO Salary by Location
| Location | Day Rate Range | vs Average |
|---|---|---|
| London (City/Canary Wharf) | £1,000-£1,500/day | +25% |
| London (Shoreditch/Tech City) | £900-£1,300/day | +15% |
| Manchester | £800-£1,100/day | Base |
| Birmingham | £750-£1,050/day | -5% |
| Edinburgh | £800-£1,100/day | Base |
| Bristol | £800-£1,100/day | Base |
| Remote UK | £750-£1,000/day | -10% |
Fractional CFO Rates by Industry
| Industry | Day Rate Range | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Private Equity / VC Portfolio | £1,200-£1,600/day | Very High |
| FinTech | £1,100-£1,400/day | Very High |
| SaaS / Tech | £1,000-£1,300/day | High |
| Healthcare / Pharma | £950-£1,250/day | Medium |
| E-commerce / Retail | £850-£1,150/day | High |
| Manufacturing | £800-£1,050/day | Medium |
| Professional Services | £800-£1,100/day | Medium |
Factors Affecting Fractional CFO Salary
Several factors influence fractional CFO earnings:
- Qualifications - ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified CFOs command 10-15% higher rates
- Fundraising experience - Series A-C experience adds £100-200/day premium
- Industry specialisation - Deep sector expertise (FinTech, PE) commands premium rates
- Client portfolio - Established fractional CFOs with referral networks earn more
- Scope of work - Roles requiring M&A, fundraising, or turnaround expertise pay more
Full-Time CFO vs Fractional CFO Salary
Comparing fractional CFO salary to full-time equivalents requires considering total compensation and working patterns. A full-time CFO at a Series B startup might earn £150,000-£200,000 plus equity. A fractional CFO earning £1,100/day for 150 days achieves £165,000—similar cash compensation with more flexibility and typically better effective hourly rate.