True Cost of a CFO Calculator
How it works and how to use the result
The calculator adds the 12% Super Guarantee, your state's payroll tax on the marginal salary (taking account of your existing wages bill and threshold), a 10% incentive, a 20% recruitment fee spread over two years, and an allowance for workers comp, equipment and overheads. Fractional cost is days × day rate × 12.
Use the result to frame the decision: what would you need the CFO to deliver in cash, margin or funding to pay back the difference?
Frequently asked questions
Does the calculator include payroll tax?
Yes. It calculates the additional payroll tax the CFO's salary and super would trigger in your state, based on your existing wages.
Why include a recruitment fee?
Executive search fees are commonly 20–25% of base salary. We spread the cost over two years, a typical tenure assumption.
What day rate should I use for a fractional CFO?
Australian fractional CFO day rates commonly fall between A$1,500 and A$3,500. The default of A$1,700 is a mid-market median.