You Don't Know Your Numbers — and That Scares You
You're running the business on gut feel and bank balance. A fractional CFO builds you the financial visibility you need to make confident decisions.
CFO-Level Strategy. Without the $300K Salary.
Fractional CFO demand has grown 103% year-over-year as smart business owners realize they don't need a full-time hire to get enterprise-grade financial leadership.
What You're Getting
What Does a Fractional CFO Actually Do for Your Business?
A fractional CFO is not a bookkeeper or accountant. They're a strategic financial executive who brings the same expertise as a Fortune 500 CFO — on a flexible, part-time engagement sized for your stage of growth.
With EmeraldHouse Consulting, your fractional CFO gets deeply immersed in your business — understanding your goals, your model, your risks, and your opportunities — and gives you a financial co-pilot you can actually talk to.
Your EmeraldHouse Consulting Fractional CFO Will:
- Build and maintain your 12–24 month cash flow forecast
- Develop financial models for growth scenarios and major decisions
- Prepare board presentations and investor reporting packages
- Design and track KPIs that actually drive your business forward
- Lead fundraising preparation and capital structure strategy
- Identify cost reduction and margin improvement opportunities
- Manage banking and lender relationships on your behalf
Is This Right for You?
5 Signs Your Business Is Ready for a Fractional CFO
Cash Flow Is Unpredictable
You're consistently surprised by cash crunches or uncertain about how much runway you have. Cash flow forecasting is CFO 101 — and it changes everything.
You're Preparing to Raise Capital
Investors and lenders expect sophisticated financial documentation. A fractional CFO ensures your models, projections, and data room are board-ready.
You're Growing Fast and Making Big Decisions
New markets, new hires, new product lines — every major decision has a financial dimension. A fractional CFO stress-tests them before you commit.
Your Bookkeeper Can't Answer Strategic Questions
Bookkeepers record what happened. A fractional CFO tells you what it means — and what to do about it. If you're asking questions your books can't answer, it's time.
The Math Is Clear
Full-Time CFO vs. EmeraldHouse Consulting Fractional CFO
| Category | Full-Time CFO | EmeraldHouse Consulting Fractional CFO |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $250,000–$400,000 (salary + benefits + equity) | Starting at $30,000/year ($2,500/mo) |
| Time to Hire | 3–6 months search + 30–90 day ramp-up period | Active within 2 weeks of initial discovery call |
| Strategic Depth | Deep institutional knowledge over time | Immediate breadth + deep industry pattern recognition |
| Flexibility | Fixed cost regardless of how much you need them | Scale up or down based on your business needs |
| Risk | High — wrong hire costs 12–18 months of salary | Low — month-to-month, no long-term commitment |
Engagement Options
Choose the Engagement That Fits Your Stage
All tiers include a dedicated EmeraldHouse Consulting fractional CFO, monthly reporting, and no long-term contracts.
Starter
$2,500
/ month · no contract
Ideal for businesses under $3M in revenue needing foundational financial visibility and basic forecasting.
- Monthly cash flow forecasting
- Budget vs. actuals review
- Monthly financial health report
- 2 strategy calls per month
- Basic KPI dashboard setup
Most Popular
Growth
$4,500
/ month · no contract
For businesses between $3M–$15M in revenue experiencing rapid growth, planning fundraising, or making major strategic decisions.
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- 12–24 month financial modeling
- Board & investor reporting prep
- Fundraising strategy support
- 4 strategy calls per month
- Vendor & banking relationship management
Scale
$7,500
/ month · no contract
For complex, high-growth businesses above $15M in revenue with multi-entity structures, active fundraising, or M&A activity.
- Everything in Growth, plus:
- Multi-entity financial consolidation
- M&A analysis and due diligence support
- Weekly executive check-ins
- Direct investor and lender interface
- Unlimited ad hoc analysis requests
Common Questions
Fractional CFO Frequently Asked Questions
A fractional CFO provides strategic financial leadership — cash flow management, financial modeling, board reporting, fundraising strategy, and KPI development — on a part-time or project basis. With EmeraldHouse Consulting, you get a dedicated fractional CFO who learns your business deeply and acts as a true financial co-pilot.
Bookkeepers and accountants handle recording and reporting what has already happened financially. A fractional CFO uses that information to make strategic forward-looking decisions — forecasting, growth planning, capital strategy, and investor relations. It's the difference between knowing your numbers and knowing what to do with them.
EmeraldHouse Consulting's fractional CFO engagements start at $2,500 per month for our Starter tier, $4,500 per month for our Growth tier (most popular), and $7,500 per month for our Scale tier. All engagements are month-to-month — no long-term contracts required.
The right time is typically when your business has reached $1M+ in revenue and is experiencing financial complexity that exceeds what a bookkeeper or controller can handle alone. Common triggers include fundraising preparation, rapid growth, acquisition activity, or persistent cash flow challenges.
Yes — fundraising preparation is one of the most common engagements for EmeraldHouse Consulting fractional CFOs. We build financial models, prepare investor data rooms, develop pitch narratives, and interface directly with lenders and investors throughout the process.
Take the Next Step
Book a Free CFO Discovery Call
In 30 minutes, we'll assess your financial situation and tell you exactly how an EmeraldHouse Consulting fractional CFO can help — or if you're not quite ready yet.
Book a Free CFO Discovery Call