Fractional CFO Opportunity

Advisory CFO Opportunities Across the UK

Advisory CFO roles offer experienced finance leaders the opportunity to provide strategic guidance without day-to-day operational responsibilities. These positions are perfect for accomplished CFOs who want to share their expertise as board advisors, non-executive directors, or strategic consultants to multiple organisations.

What Advisory CFOs Do

As an advisory CFO, you'll typically work 1-4 days per month with each client. Your responsibilities include providing strategic financial guidance to founders and boards, advising on fundraising, M&A, and capital structure, reviewing financial strategy and risk management, mentoring in-house finance leaders, and serving as a sounding board for major financial decisions. Unlike operational roles, advisory positions focus on strategic input rather than execution.

UK Market Demand

The demand for experienced financial advisors continues to grow as companies seek guidance from seasoned CFOs. According to ICAEW, companies increasingly value external financial expertise for major strategic decisions. EY reports that CFO advisory boards are becoming more common. The FT Non-Executive Directors' Club highlights growing opportunities for portfolio careers in finance leadership.

Day Rates for Advisory CFOs

Advisory CFO day rates in the UK typically range from £700-£1,000 per day, though rates vary based on the nature of the engagement. Board-level advisory roles may command higher rates, while ongoing mentoring arrangements might be structured differently. Many advisory CFOs work with 3-5 clients simultaneously, building a portfolio career that provides variety and income diversity.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Successful advisory CFOs typically have 20+ years of finance experience with multiple CFO roles in their background. You should have experience with fundraising, M&A transactions, or IPO preparation. Board experience (NED or observer roles) is highly valued. Strong communication skills are essential—you'll need to provide high-impact guidance in limited time. A network of investors, bankers, and professional service providers adds significant value.

Industries Seeking Advisory CFOs

Advisory finance leadership is particularly valuable in:

• Venture-Backed Startups - Founders seeking guidance on fundraising
• Private Equity Portfolio Companies - Value creation support
• Family Businesses - Professionalising finance functions
• Scale-ups - Companies preparing for exits or IPO
• Non-Profits - Charities needing financial governance

How to Find Advisory CFO Roles

The best advisory CFO opportunities come through networks and specialist platforms. Fractional Quest focuses specifically on fractional and advisory executive roles in the UK. CIMA and ACCA offer networking for senior finance professionals. The CFO Centre and FD Capital provide additional resources.

Getting Started

To explore advisory CFO opportunities, browse our Advisory CFO Jobs UK listings. For more hands-on roles, see our Fractional CFO Jobs and Part-Time CFO positions. Check our CFO salary guide to understand current market rates.