When businesses call for an interim CFO
Unexpected vacancy
Your CFO or finance director leaves mid-year and month-end can't wait for a 4–6 month recruitment.
Parental or extended leave
Continuity of reporting, board and lender relationships while your CFO is away.
Transaction
A sale, acquisition, capital raise or refinancing that needs dedicated senior finance capacity.
Turnaround
Cash crisis, ATO debt, covenant breach or loss-making divisions that need stabilising.
Our interim CFO first-30-days playbook
Days 1–5: stabilise
Access, controls and payments. Connect CFOAvatar and run a 13-week cash forecast.
Days 6–15: diagnose
Review close quality, debtor book, creditor stretch, ATO position and covenants.
Days 16–30: lead
First board pack, lender update, priority action list and recruitment brief for the permanent role.
A clean handover to your permanent CFO
An interim CFO's job is to leave the function stronger. We document processes, models and controls, help assess candidates for the permanent role, and hand over CFOAvatar dashboards, which you can keep.
Find CFO services near you: Sydney · Melbourne · Brisbane · Perth · Adelaide · Canberra · Gold Coast · Newcastle · Hobart · Darwin · Geelong · Sunshine Coast · Wollongong
Frequently asked questions
How quickly can an interim CFO start?
Usually within one to two weeks, depending on scope and location. Remote-first starts can begin sooner.
How much does an interim CFO cost in Australia?
Recruiter-placed interim CFOs typically cost A$1,200–A$1,800+ a day. CFOSurge offers fixed monthly or project fees instead.
Can an interim CFO become permanent?
Some engagements convert. Many clients instead move to a fractional arrangement once the crisis or transaction is complete.
Will the interim CFO deal with our bank and the ATO?
Yes. Lender, investor and ATO engagement are typical interim responsibilities, with tax lodgements coordinated with your registered tax agent.