Part-time vs fractional: what's the difference?
Both are partial-time CFO arrangements. 'Part-time' usually means a fixed weekly rhythm (for example, every Tuesday and Thursday), often with a contract that looks like a part-time employment or contractor arrangement. 'Fractional' usually means a monthly allocation of days from a CFO firm, with the firm's broader bench behind it. CFOSurge offers both, priced as a fixed monthly fee.
Best for these businesses
A$10–50M operators
With a finance team that needs weekly direction and controls.
Investor-backed scale-ups
With monthly board cycles and constant investor reporting.
Multi-entity groups
Consolidations, intercompany, Division 7A and payroll tax grouping.
A typical part-time CFO week
Monday: CFOAvatar briefing
The AI flags cash, debtors and margin movements over the weekend.
CFO day 1: leadership and decisions
Leadership meeting, pricing and hiring decisions, bank and investor calls.
CFO day 2: finance function
Close review, forecast update, controls, team coaching and projects.
Friday: 13-week cash update
Rolling cash forecast refreshed and shared with the owners.
Find CFO services near you: Sydney · Melbourne · Brisbane · Perth · Adelaide · Canberra · Gold Coast · Newcastle · Hobart · Darwin · Geelong · Sunshine Coast · Wollongong
Part-time CFO cost
| Option | Typical cost (AUD) | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFOSurge AI CFO Essentials | from A$1,500/mo | CFOAvatar AI CFO, 13-week cash forecast, monthly CFO-reviewed report and review call | A$1–10M owner-led businesses |
| Virtual / fractional CFO | A$2k–A$10k+/mo | Scheduled remote support, or a named CFO for 1–4 days a month | A$3–30M growing businesses |
| Part-time CFO (1–3 days/week) | A$8k–A$20k/mo | Embedded senior finance leadership | Complex or investor-backed firms |
| Interim CFO | A$1,200–A$1,800+/day | Full-time cover for 3–9 months | Vacancies, transactions, turnarounds |
| Full-time CFO | A$270k–A$400k+/yr | Permanent executive (true employment cost) | A$50M+ revenue or listed entities |
Market ranges are indicative, compiled from published Australian provider pricing and recruitment data (October 2026). Full-time cost includes salary, 12% super, payroll tax, bonus and on-costs. All figures exclude GST.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a part-time CFO cost in Australia?
Typically A$8,000–A$20,000 a month for one to three days a week. CFOSurge quotes a fixed monthly fee after a free diagnostic.
Is a part-time CFO an employee or contractor?
It can be either. Through CFOSurge it's a service agreement, so you don't take on payroll tax, super or leave liabilities for the role.
Can a part-time CFO manage my finance team?
Yes. Leading the bookkeeper, accounts team or financial controller is a core part of the role.
What's the minimum commitment?
There's no long lock-in. Most clients start with a three-month plan and then move to monthly.