Part-time CFO jobs represent the new frontier of finance leadership. Flexible Chief Financial Officer positions where experienced leaders provide strategic financial guidance on a 1-3 day per week basis—delivering world-class expertise without the full-time commitment.
What is a Part-Time CFO?
A part-time CFO (also known as a fractional CFO) is an experienced Chief Financial Officer who works with companies on a flexible basis. Rather than committing to a single full-time role, part-time CFOs typically work with multiple clients, dedicating 1-3 days per week to each engagement.
The demand for part-time CFO jobs UK has grown by over 180% in the past three years. This surge reflects how startups, scale-ups, and SMEs access senior finance talent—companies that need experienced financial leadership but cannot justify a full-time CFO salary of £150,000-£300,000.
"Part-time CFO jobs offer the same strategic expertise as full-time roles at a fraction of the cost—typically £2,000-£5,000/week vs £12,500+ monthly for full-time."
Part-Time CFO vs Full-Time CFO
The key difference lies in engagement structure. A full-time CFO works exclusively for one company, earning £150,000-£300,000 annually. A part-time Chief Financial Officer works with 2-4 clients simultaneously, charging day rates of £800-£1,500.
Part-Time CFO
- • 1-3 days per week per client
- • £800-£1,500/day rates
- • Multiple clients simultaneously
- • Flexible, project-based
- • Contractor/limited company
Full-Time CFO
- • 5 days per week, one company
- • £150,000-£300,000 salary
- • Single employer focus
- • Permanent employment
- • PAYE with benefits
Who Hires Part-Time CFOs?
- Venture-backed startups: Series A-C companies needing fundraising and investor relations
- PE portfolio companies: Private equity firms requiring finance leadership across investments
- Scale-ups: Fast-growing companies (£5-50m revenue) outgrowing their bookkeeper
- SMEs preparing for exit: Businesses professionalising finances for sale
- Turnaround situations: Companies needing experienced financial leadership
Types of Part-Time CFO Jobs
Startup CFO
Series A-C fundraising & investor relations
£1,000-£1,400/dayPE Portfolio CFO
Financial transformation & value creation
£1,100-£1,500/dayScale-up CFO
Professionalising finance function
£950-£1,300/dayExit-ready CFO
Due diligence & IPO preparation
£1,100-£1,500/dayPart-Time CFO Job Description
Typical part-time CFO responsibilities include:
- Financial Strategy: Develop and execute strategic financial plans
- Cash Flow Management: Forecasting, working capital optimisation, treasury
- Fundraising: Lead equity raises, debt facilities, investor relations
- Financial Reporting: Board packs, management accounts, investor reports
- Team Leadership: Mentor finance team, implement processes
- M&A Support: Due diligence, deal structuring, integration
Part-Time CFO Salary UK
Part-time CFO day rates in the UK typically range from £800 to £1,500 per day. London roles command premium rates, with City and Canary Wharf engagements often paying £1,200-£1,500 daily.
A part-time CFO working 2-3 days per week across multiple clients can realistically earn £150,000-£250,000 annually. The most experienced CFOs with strong networks can earn significantly more.
Part-Time CFO Jobs London
London remains the UK's largest market for part-time CFO jobs, accounting for approximately 60% of all flexible finance leadership roles. The City, Shoreditch, and Canary Wharf are particularly active, with strong demand from fintech, SaaS, and PE-backed companies.
Outside London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Bristol have growing part-time CFO markets, though day rates are typically 15-25% lower than London equivalents.
Looking for fractional CFO positions?
Browse Fractional CFO Jobs UK →