Straight answers on hiring fractional executives.
Cost, scope, equity, and timing — written by senior operators who have run these engagements.
- 8 min · updated 2026-07-01
What is a fractional CFO?
A fractional CFO is a senior finance executive (former CFO or VP Finance) engaged part-time — typically 10 to 80 hours per month — to run financial strategy, planning, reporting, and fundraising for a company that does not yet need a full-time CFO. Engagements run 6 to 18 months on average and cost $5,000 to $18,000 per month.
- 7 min · updated 2026-07-01
How much does a fractional CMO cost?
A fractional CMO costs $6,000 to $20,000 per month depending on hours, stage, and scope. Day rates run $1,500 to $3,000. Standard engagements are 20 to 40 hours per month for 6 to 12 months.
- 9 min · updated 2026-07-01
How to hire a fractional COO
To hire a fractional COO: scope the top three operational bottlenecks, define hours (usually 20 to 40 per month), interview three vetted operators from your stage, require two references, run a paid 30-day trial, then commit to 6 to 12 months at $8,000 to $18,000 per month.
- 8 min · updated 2026-07-01
What does a fractional CTO do?
A fractional CTO is a senior engineering leader (former CTO or VP Engineering) working part-time to own technical strategy, architecture, hiring, security, and vendor selection. Cost: $6,000 to $20,000 per month for 15 to 40 hours.
- 7 min · updated 2026-07-01
When to hire a fractional executive
Hire a fractional executive when you have identified one clear functional gap, cannot justify a full-time executive salary, and need senior operator judgment within 30 days. If you cannot answer 'what does done look like in 90 days?' — hire an advisor or consultant first.
- 6 min · updated 2026-07-01
Fractional executive vs consultant
A fractional executive is embedded inside the company on the org chart, owns a function, and reports to the CEO. A consultant is external, delivers recommendations or projects, and does not own operational outcomes. Different problems, different tools.
- 6 min · updated 2026-07-01
Fractional CFO equity compensation
Fractional CFOs at pre-seed and seed typically receive 0.25% to 0.75% equity on a 2 to 4-year vest with a 3 to 6 month cliff, usually in exchange for a 25 to 50 percent cash discount. Post-Series A, equity drops to 0.10% to 0.25% and cash becomes the norm.
- 7 min · updated 2026-07-01
How to choose a fractional executive marketplace
Choose a fractional executive marketplace on seven criteria: vetting depth, seniority bar, response time, replacement policy, pricing transparency, review verification, and fit-guarantee terms. Curation beats scale for senior roles.
- 7 min · updated 2026-07-01
Fractional CMO vs marketing agency
A fractional CMO owns marketing strategy, hires the team, and reports to the CEO. A marketing agency executes campaigns and creative under a strategy. Most Series A companies need both — a fractional CMO to set direction, an agency to execute paid, creative, or SEO at scale.
- 7 min · updated 2026-07-01
Fractional CRO: when to hire
Hire a fractional Chief Revenue Officer between $500K and $8M ARR when you have product-market fit but no repeatable sales motion. Cost: $10,000 to $22,000 per month. Standard 90-day output: a documented sales process, a hired AE, and a forecast the CEO believes.