Last Updated: January 16, 2026 | By SDO CPA • CPA firm with Big Four background specializing in strategic financial leadership

Fractional CFO Services

CFO-level strategy integrated with CPA tax expertise. One firm. Complete financial picture. For business owners who need strategic leadership without the $300K salary.

18+ Years Experience (Big Four Background)

60-80% Cost Savings vs. Full-Time CFO

1 Firm for CFO + Tax Planning

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✓ AICPA Member Licensed Texas CPA

◆ Dallas • Houston • Austin Texas & Nationwide

What You Need to Know About Fractional CFO Services:

A fractional CFO provides part-time strategic financial leadership at $3,000-$15,000/month vs. $250,000-$500,000+/year for full-time
Best for businesses with $500K-$20M revenue who need CFO strategy without a full-time hire
SDO CPA integrates CFO advisory with tax planning under one roof (most firms don't)
Typical engagement: 10-60 hours/month including forecasting, KPI dashboards, and strategic meetings
No long-term contracts. Start with a $5,000 assessment to see if we're the right fit.

What is a Fractional CFO?

A fractional CFO is a part-time Chief Financial Officer who provides strategic financial leadership to businesses without the cost of a full-time executive. Fractional CFOs typically cost $3,000-$15,000 per month compared to $250,000-$500,000+ annually for full-time CFOs with benefits. They handle financial planning, cash flow management, KPI development, and growth strategy. SDO CPA's fractional CFO service uniquely integrates CFO advisory with CPA tax planning under one firm, so strategic decisions automatically account for tax implications.

Fractional CFO vs. Full-Time CFO vs. Virtual CFO

Factor	Fractional CFO	Full-Time CFO	Virtual CFO
Monthly Cost	$3,000-$15,000	$20,000-$40,000+ (salary/benefits)	$2,000-$8,000
Hours/Month	10-60 hours	160+ hours (full-time)	5-20 hours
Commitment	Month-to-month	Full employment	Project-based
Industry Expertise	Multiple industries	Single company focus	Advisory focus
Integration	Strategic + operational	Full operational control	Strategy only
Best For	$500K-$20M revenue	$20M+ revenue	Early-stage / specific projects

When Do You Need a Fractional CFO?

! You have meaningful revenue ($500K+) but make decisions without clear financial data

! Your bookkeeper tracks transactions but can't explain what they mean strategically

! You need forecasts for a loan, investor meeting, or major business decision

! Your CPA only calls in March. You need year-round financial guidance.

! Multiple entities or partners complicate your financial picture

! You're growing fast but flying blind on cash flow and profitability

Why SDO CPA for Fractional CFO Services?

One Firm, Complete Picture

Your fractional CFO sees your books AND your tax returns. Strategic decisions account for tax implications automatically. No coordination needed between separate CFO firm and CPA. This integration is rare. Most fractional CFOs operate separately from your tax advisor.

Partnership & S-Corp Expertise

80% of our practice is complex business returns. Your CFO understands K-1 allocations, basis tracking, and distribution planning. Multi-entity structures aren't a special case. They're our specialty.

Practitioner-Built Approach

18+ years of hands-on experience, including Big Four background. We've seen what works (and what doesn't) across hundreds of businesses. Recommendations backed by real client outcomes, not theory.

Scalable Engagement

Start with assessment, scale up as needed. Monthly retainer or project-based options. No long-term contracts. Stay because it's working, not because you're locked in.

How It Works: Our 3-Step Process

CFO Assessment

Deep dive into your current financial state. We analyze books quality, systems, and processes. Identify gaps and build a priority roadmap. Deliverable: Assessment report with specific recommendations.

Starting at $5,000

Foundation Work

Clean up books to get an accurate baseline. Implement reporting structure and KPI tracking framework. Establish chart of accounts that provides real insight, not just compliance.

Ongoing Advisory

Regular strategic meetings (cadence based on need). KPI dashboards, financial reporting, forecasting, and scenario planning. Cash flow optimization and board/investor meeting support.

What Your Fractional CFO Delivers

Core CFO Services

Strategic financial planning
Cash flow forecasting
Budgeting & budget-to-actual analysis
KPI development & dashboards
Profitability analysis by product/service
Scenario modeling

Growth Support

Capital raise preparation
Pricing strategy analysis
Expansion planning
Financial modeling
M&A due diligence support

Operational Finance

Accounting team oversight
System & software evaluation
Internal controls review
Audit preparation
Process optimization

SDO Tax Integration

Coordinated tax planning
Entity structure optimization
Distribution planning
Compensation planning
Year-end tax strategy

Transparent Fractional CFO Pricing

Upfront estimates based on engagement scope and complexity

Service	Description	Hours/Month	Price
CFO Assessment	Comprehensive financial analysis & roadmap	One-time	Starting at $5,000
Startup Advisory	Early-stage companies with foundational needs	10-20 hours	$3,500-$5,000/mo
Growth Advisory	Scaling businesses with active financial needs	20-40 hours	$5,000-$10,000/mo
Complex Advisory	Multi-entity, M&A, or capital raise support	40+ hours	$10,000-$15,000/mo
Project: Financial Modeling	Custom models for specific decisions	Per project	$10,000-$25,000
Project: Fundraising Support	Investor materials & financial prep	Per project	$5,000-$15,000

* Prices shown are estimates. Final quote provided after analyzing your specific situation. If scope changes during engagement, we discuss it first. Compare to full-time CFO cost: $250,000-$500,000+/year.

What Fractional CFO Looks Like in Practice

Software company with 100-125% YOY growth, no CFO expertise

Before SDO

No cash flow or budget planning
Hired extra staff to compensate for process gaps
No reporting for high-growth markets/clients
Accounting team split-managed between CEO and COO
Flying blind on key decisions

After SDO

Reorganized accounting roles, saving $37K annually
Implemented 2 accounting tools improving accuracy
Monthly KPI reports providing real-time insights
Cash flow projection eliminated short-term financing need
CFO acts as leadership team member

$37,000

Annual savings from accounting reorganization alone

Industries We Serve

Businesses with $500K-$10M revenue who value strategic guidance over number-crunching

Professional Services Real Estate Investors Tech / SaaS Manufacturing Healthcare Practices Construction E-Commerce Multi-Entity Structures

Good Fit for Fractional CFO

Revenue $500K-$10M and scaling
Partnership, S-Corp, or multi-entity structure
Want strategic guidance, not just number-crunching
Value year-round relationship over transactional service
Ready to invest in financial infrastructure

Not the Right Fit

Need a full-time, on-site CFO
Under $300K revenue (start with bookkeeping first)
Looking for the cheapest option
Want someone to just do the books
Not ready to act on strategic recommendations

Fractional CFO Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fractional CFO?

How much does a fractional CFO cost?

Fractional CFO services typically range from $3,000-$15,000 per month depending on complexity and hours needed. This compares to $250,000-$500,000+ annually for a full-time CFO including salary and benefits. Most businesses save 60-80% compared to a full-time hire while getting the same strategic expertise.

What does a fractional CFO do?

A fractional CFO provides strategic financial planning, cash flow forecasting, KPI development and tracking, budgeting and analysis, profitability analysis, capital raise support, pricing strategy, and financial modeling. They serve as a strategic advisor to leadership rather than handling day-to-day bookkeeping.

What's the difference between a fractional CFO and full-time CFO?

A fractional CFO works part-time (10-60 hours/month) for multiple clients at $3,000-$15,000/month. A full-time CFO works 40+ hours/week exclusively for one company at $250,000-$500,000+/year. Fractional CFOs bring diverse industry experience; full-time CFOs provide deeper single-company focus. Fractional is best for $500K-$20M revenue; full-time makes sense above $20M.

When should I hire a fractional CFO?

Consider a fractional CFO when you have $500K+ in revenue, need forecasts for loans or investors, make decisions without clear financial data, have multiple entities or partners complicating your finances, or your bookkeeper tracks transactions but can't explain what they mean strategically.

How does a fractional CFO work with my CPA?

At SDO CPA, your fractional CFO and tax advisor are under one roof. This means strategic decisions automatically account for tax implications. No coordination needed between separate firms. Your CFO sees your books AND your tax returns for a complete financial picture. This integration is what makes SDO different.

Do I need a fractional CFO if I already have a bookkeeper?

Yes, these are different roles. Your bookkeeper records what happened (transactions). A CFO plans what should happen (strategy). Think of it as a progression: bookkeeping records history, accounting explains history, CFO shapes the future. If you have accurate books but still make decisions without clear financial direction, you need CFO-level guidance.

Can a fractional CFO help with S-Corp or partnership tax planning?

Yes. This is actually one of SDO's core strengths. 80% of our practice is partnerships and S-Corps. Your fractional CFO understands K-1 allocations, basis tracking, distribution planning, and multi-entity coordination. Because we're also a CPA firm, tax planning is integrated into every strategic recommendation.

How often will I meet with my fractional CFO?

Meeting cadence depends on your needs. Most clients meet weekly or bi-weekly for strategic discussions, with ad-hoc availability for urgent decisions. Your CFO also provides monthly financial reporting and dashboards. We adjust based on what your business needs, not a rigid schedule.

What's included in the CFO assessment?

The CFO assessment includes: deep dive into your current financial state, books quality analysis, systems and process evaluation, gap identification, and a prioritized roadmap of recommendations. Deliverable: written assessment report with specific action items. This helps us both determine if ongoing engagement makes sense.

Your Fractional CFO Team

Serena Do, CPA

Managing Partner, SDO CPA

18+ years of hands-on experience including EY Tax. Specializes in strategic financial planning and tax strategy for partnerships, S-Corps, and real estate investors. Leads SDO CPA's fractional CFO practice, bringing Big Four expertise to business owners who deserve better than tax prep.

Licensed CPA (Texas) AICPA Member Former EY Tax Manager

Ready for Strategic Financial Leadership?

Schedule a CFO Assessment to see if we're the right fit. No long-term commitment. Just clarity on your financial situation and what to do about it.

Schedule CFO Assessment

This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Each business situation is unique and requires individual analysis. Consult with a qualified CPA for advice specific to your circumstances. SDO CPA LLC is a Texas-licensed CPA firm.