Pricing
How much does a fractional CFO for a practice cost?
A fractional CFO for an owner-operated practice typically runs $3,500 to $7,500 per month on a flat retainer, far below a full-time CFO. Most owners start with a fixed-scope diagnostic, then move to a monthly retainer once they see the numbers.
How much does a fractional CFO for a practice cost?
Expect $3,500 to $7,500 per month as a flat retainer for an owner-operated practice doing $1M to $10M in revenue. That is a fraction of a full-time CFO, whose total compensation runs well into six figures. Pricing is fixed and scoped, so there are no surprises.
- Fractional CFO retainer in this market: $3,500 to $7,500 per month.
- Full-time CFO total compensation: roughly $180,000 to $250,000 per year, more once benefits are included.
- Most engagements begin with a fixed-scope diagnostic before any retainer.
| Engagement | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 14-Day Financial X-ray | $1,500 to $2,500 | First look at profit and cash |
| Fractional CFO retainer | $3,500 to $7,500 per month | $1M to $10M owner-run practices |
| Full-time CFO | $15,000 to $20,000 per month | $20M-plus groups |
Takeaway: Below about $10M in revenue, fractional is the standard choice.
Top Practice CFO provides exactly this for owner-operated practices, with every number computed from your ledger and reviewed by a CFO.
What is the 14-Day Financial X-ray?
The X-ray is a fixed-scope diagnostic that maps profit by service line, your cash runway, and the two or three levers that move margin most. It is the front door: most owners act on something they learn the same week. It runs $1,500 to $2,500, and is complimentary for practices on a clear acquisition or exit track above $10M.
- Delivers a 13-week cash view, a KPI scorecard, and a short profit-and-cash read.
- Every figure is computed in code from your ledger, then reviewed by a CFO.
It is the lowest-risk way to see what a fractional CFO would find in your numbers.
What does the monthly retainer include?
The retainer covers a rolling 13-week cash forecast, a monthly board-ready package, your KPI scorecard, and strategy time focused on pricing, margin, hiring, and exit value. It is a flat monthly fee with a defined scope, not hourly billing.
- Monthly board or lender package with a written narrative and recommended actions.
- Pricing, margin, cash, hiring, and exit value reviewed on a regular cadence.
Is there a guarantee?
Yes. In the first 90 days we identify at least three times the fee in recoverable cash, margin, or tax, quantified in writing, or you do not pay for those 90 days. The guarantee exists because the analysis is deterministic and grounded in your real ledger.
The guarantee is only possible because the AI never computes a number; the engine does, and a CFO reviews it.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you require an annual contract?
- No. The retainer is month to month after the initial scope. Most owners stay because the forecast and the monthly package become how they run the practice, not because of a lock-in.
- Is bookkeeping included?
- Clean books are required for the work, so bookkeeping can be included or run alongside your existing bookkeeper. The CFO work is the forward-looking layer on top of accurate books.
- How is this different from my CPA?
- Your CPA keeps you compliant and looks backward at tax time. A fractional CFO looks forward at pricing, margin, cash, hiring, and exit value. They work together, and we coordinate with your CPA.
- What size practice is this for?
- Owner-operated practices roughly $1M to $10M in revenue. Below that, the X-ray is often enough; above about $20M, a full-time finance team usually makes sense.