A manufacturing company in Western New York was preparing to negotiate a $3 million line of credit with a regional bank. The owner had built a successful business over 15 years, but he’d never handled a transaction of that size or complexity.
He needed CFO-level expertise to review the loan terms, build bank-ready financial projections, and negotiate favorable covenants. But he didn’t need a full-time CFO — just 15–20 hours of strategic support to get the deal done right.
This is a perfect example of when hourly CFO services make sense. Not every business needs a monthly retainer or long-term engagement — sometimes you just need expert financial advice for a specific project, transaction, or decision.
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the median hourly equivalent for full-time CFOs is around $90–$120/hour. However, fractional or part-time CFOs typically charge $150–$400/hour, since they offer specialized, executive-level expertise on demand.
This guide explains what drives part-time CFO pricing, how hourly compares to retainers, what to expect for typical projects, and how to choose the right CFO for your needs.
What Is a Part-Time CFO?
A part-time CFO (also called a fractional or outsourced CFO) is an experienced financial executive who provides CFO-level strategy and leadership on a flexible, as-needed basis.
Unlike a full-time CFO who works 40+ hours weekly, a part-time CFO typically works 5–20 hours per month, offering forecasting, cash flow management, fundraising support, and M&A advisory — without the six-figure salary commitment.
When Hourly CFO Services Make Sense
Hourly CFO engagements work best when you:
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Have a specific project or transaction that requires CFO oversight (e.g., term sheet review, acquisition, or system implementation)
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Need occasional strategic advice but not ongoing support
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Have an internal controller or finance team and need top-level oversight
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Want to test a fractional CFO before committing to a retainer
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Need immediate help for an urgent or high-stakes decision
Hourly services provide flexibility — you pay only for the hours you use, scaling up or down as needed.
Part-Time CFO Hourly Rate: What to Expect
Hourly rates vary depending on experience, industry, scope, and region.
National Average Hourly Rates
| Level | Typical Rate | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level CFOs | $150–$200/hr | 5–10 years of experience, basic forecasting, financial reporting, and cash flow oversight |
| Mid-Level CFOs | $200–$300/hr | 10–20 years’ experience, industry expertise, fundraising and M&A support |
| Senior or Specialized CFOs | $300–$400+/hr | 20+ years’ experience, executive-level strategy, deep domain knowledge, investor relations |
Most businesses pay $200–$300/hour for experienced, capable financial leadership.
Factors That Influence Hourly Rates
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Experience and Track Record: Senior CFOs with successful fundraises or exits command higher rates.
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Industry Expertise: Specialists in franchising, healthcare, manufacturing, or private equity charge more.
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Location: Rates in major markets (NYC, SF, Boston) exceed those in Buffalo or Rochester, though remote work narrows the gap.
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Scope & Complexity: Basic forecasting costs less than managing M&A or large fundraising rounds.
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Urgency: Rush projects or after-hours support usually come with a premium.
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Engagement Length: Multi-month or recurring engagements often qualify for reduced hourly rates.
Hourly vs. Retainer Pricing: Which Is Right for You?
Choose Hourly Pricing If You:
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Need help for a one-time project
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Want flexibility (5–10 hours/month or less)
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Aren’t sure how much support you’ll need
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Prefer to “test drive” a CFO relationship
Pros:
✔ Pay only for what you use
✔ No long-term commitment
✔ Flexible and scalable
Cons:
✖ Higher per-hour cost
✖ Less predictable budgeting
✖ Limited availability or responsiveness
Choose Monthly Retainer If You:
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Need ongoing CFO support (10–40 hours/month)
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Want consistent financial leadership and forecasting
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Prefer predictable billing and proactive strategy
Pros:
✔ Lower effective hourly rate
✔ Priority access to the CFO
✔ Continuous strategic partnership
Cons:
✖ Requires longer commitment
✖ May include unused hours during slow months
Example:
A Buffalo franchise operator needs CFO guidance for an expansion plan (≈15 hours). At $250/hour, the $3,750 hourly cost is more efficient than a $5,000/month retainer.
What You Get at Different Hourly Rates
$150–$200/hour: Junior CFOs
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Forecasting, budgeting, and reporting
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Expense management support
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Suitable for small businesses with simple needs
Not included: fundraising, M&A, or complex modeling
$200–$300/hour: Experienced CFOs
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Strategic planning and forecasting
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Fundraising and investor reporting
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M&A advisory and valuation
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Profitability and KPI analysis
Best for: Growing companies, multi-location operations, or those preparing to raise capital
$300–$400+/hour: Senior or Specialized CFOs
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Deep industry specialization (franchising, private equity, healthcare)
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Executive-level advisory and negotiations
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Access to investor/lender networks
Best for:
High-growth firms, complex M&A, or high-stakes transactions where precision matters.
Typical Project Costs
| Project | Hours | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Reviewing a Term Sheet/Loan | 3–5 | $750–$1,250 |
| Building Investor Forecasts | 8–15 | $2,000–$3,750 |
| Evaluating an Acquisition | 15–25 | $4,125–$6,875 |
| Fundraising Support (Seed–Series A) | 30–50 | $9,000–$15,000 |
| M&A Transaction Support | 40–80 | $13,000–$26,000 |
| Financial System Implementation | 20–40 | $5,000–$10,000 |
How to Evaluate Part-Time CFO Value
Key Questions to Ask
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How many years of CFO-level experience do you have?
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Have you worked in my industry?
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What are your success stories?
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What’s included in your hourly rate?
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Will I work directly with you?
Red Flags
🚫 Rates below $150/hour — likely not true CFO expertise
🚫 No clear scope or time estimate
🚫 Vague about track record or references
🚫 Work delegated to junior staff
ROI Example
A Buffalo business pays $2,500 (10 hrs @ $250/hr) to review a $2M loan. The CFO spots restrictive covenants, renegotiates terms, and saves $50K+ in fees — a 20x return.
Budgeting for Part-Time CFO Services
| Engagement Type | Hours/Month | Budget Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ad-Hoc Advisory | 5–10 | $1K–$3K | Occasional advice or oversight |
| Project-Based | — | $2.5K–$25K | Fundraising, M&A, or system projects |
| Ongoing Strategic Support | 15–30 | $3K–$9K | Growing or scaling businesses |
At higher engagement levels, a retainer may be more cost-effective than hourly billing.
Part-Time CFO Rates in Buffalo & Western New York
CFO rates in Buffalo average 10–20% lower than major metros while maintaining top-tier expertise.
Typical local rates:
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Junior CFOs: $150–$200/hour
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Experienced CFOs: $200–$300/hour
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Senior CFOs: $300–$400/hour
Exact Partners Pricing:
$200–$350/hour depending on scope and experience — with flexible retainer and project-based options.
Why Choose Exact Partners
Exact Partners provides flexible, transparent, and strategic CFO services for startups, franchises, and SMBs across Western New York.
When you work with us, you get:
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Senior-level financial leadership with real results
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Transparent pricing and defined scopes
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Flexible hourly, retainer, or project engagements
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Expertise across franchising, professional services, startups, and private equity
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Local Buffalo insight and strong banking relationships
Need CFO insight without a long-term contract?
👉 Schedule a consultation and see how Exact Partners helps businesses make smarter financial decisions.
Final Thought
Part-time CFOs typically charge $150–$400/hour, depending on experience and complexity.
The right CFO doesn’t just save you time — they protect your capital, improve profitability, and position you for growth.
A $300/hour CFO who prevents a bad financing decision is worth far more than a $150/hour generalist.
Choose Exact Partners — Buffalo’s trusted fractional CFO team — for proven expertise, transparent pricing, and measurable ROI.
