Fractional CFO Job Description Template (Copy & Paste Ready)

Finding the right fractional CFO starts with attracting the right candidates. A well-written job description communicates your needs clearly and filters for the experience level and working style you need.

This guide provides two complete templates—one optimized for startups, one for established SMBs—plus customization guidance for your specific situation.

Startup-Focused Template

Use this template if you're a venture-backed or high-growth startup with fundraising, board reporting, and rapid scaling needs.

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Fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) - Startup

Company: [Your Company Name] Location: Remote / [Your City] Engagement Type: Fractional (Part-Time Executive) Hours: [10-20] hours per week Duration: Initial [6-month] engagement with potential for extension

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About [Company Name]

[Company Name] is a [stage] [industry] startup [brief description of what you do]. We've raised [$X] from [notable investors if applicable] and are [current focus: scaling rapidly / preparing for Series A / expanding into new markets].

We're a team of [X] people growing [quickly/thoughtfully], and we need a financial leader who can scale with us.

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The Opportunity

We're seeking an experienced Fractional CFO to bring financial leadership and rigor to our growing company. You'll work directly with the CEO and serve as a strategic partner—not just a number cruncher.

This is a high-impact role for someone who enjoys building financial infrastructure at fast-moving companies. You'll shape how we think about growth, manage cash, and communicate with our board and investors.

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What You'll Do

Financial Strategy & Planning

• Own the financial model, forecasting, and scenario planning
• Partner with leadership on strategic decisions with financial implications
• Develop and track key metrics and KPIs
• Lead annual budgeting and ongoing financial planning

Fundraising & Investor Relations

• Prepare financial materials for investor conversations
• Build and maintain the data room
• Support due diligence processes
• Attend board meetings and prepare board reporting packages

Financial Operations

• Oversee accounting and ensure accurate, timely financial reporting
• Manage relationships with external accountants and auditors
• Implement and improve financial systems and processes
• Own cash management and runway monitoring

Team & Infrastructure

• Build financial infrastructure that scales
• Hire and manage finance team members as needed
• Select and implement financial tools and systems
• Create processes and controls appropriate for our stage

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What We're Looking For

Required

• 10+ years of finance experience with 5+ years in senior leadership roles
• Direct experience with venture-backed startups (ideally multiple)
• Track record supporting fundraising rounds (Seed through Series B)
• Expertise in SaaS/subscription metrics and financial modeling (if applicable to your business)
• Strong communication skills—can translate finance to non-finance stakeholders
• Experience building financial infrastructure from scratch or near-scratch

Preferred

• Experience in [your specific industry]
• CPA, MBA, or equivalent credentials
• Previous fractional CFO experience
• Exit experience (acquisition or IPO)

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Engagement Details

• Time Commitment: [10-20] hours per week (may increase during fundraising)
• Compensation: [$X,000 - $X,000] per month
• Equity: [Equity package available / discuss based on engagement]
• Location: Remote with [flexibility for on-sites / timezone overlap required]
• Start Date: [Date or "ASAP"]

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How to Apply

Send to [email/link]:

1. Resume or LinkedIn profile
2. Brief note on your startup CFO experience
3. Example of a financial challenge you navigated at a startup
4. Availability and compensation expectations

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SMB-Focused Template

Use this template if you're an established small-to-medium business seeking strategic financial leadership for operational improvement, growth, or transition.

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Fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) - SMB

Company: [Your Company Name] Location: [Your City / Remote] Engagement Type: Fractional (Part-Time Executive) Hours: [8-15] hours per week Duration: Ongoing engagement

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About [Company Name]

[Company Name] is a [industry] company serving [customer type] for [X years]. We generate [$X million] in annual revenue with [X] employees. We're [owner-operated / family-owned / partnership-owned] and focused on [sustainable growth / preparing for transition / operational excellence].

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The Opportunity

We're seeking an experienced Fractional CFO to provide strategic financial leadership. Our business is profitable and stable, but we need someone who can take our financial management to the next level.

You'll work directly with ownership and the leadership team to improve financial visibility, support better decision-making, and prepare us for [our next phase of growth / transition / specific goal].

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What You'll Do

Financial Leadership

• Serve as strategic financial advisor to ownership and leadership
• Develop dashboards and reporting for better business visibility
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability and cash flow

Operational Finance

• Oversee accounting function and ensure accurate reporting
• Manage banking relationships and financing arrangements
• Improve financial controls and processes
• Handle or oversee tax planning and compliance coordination

Strategic Projects

• [Support M&A evaluation and due diligence]
• [Prepare financial materials for business sale/transition]
• [Lead ERP or financial system implementation]
• [Negotiate with lenders or manage refinancing]
• [Other specific projects relevant to your situation]

Team Management

• Supervise bookkeeper/controller/accounting staff
• Coordinate with external CPAs and advisors
• Build finance team capabilities over time

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What We're Looking For

Required

• 10+ years of finance experience including senior leadership roles
• Experience with companies in the [$X-$X million] revenue range
• Strong operational finance background
• Excellent communication skills for non-finance stakeholders
• Experience improving financial processes and reporting

Preferred

• Industry experience in [your industry]
• M&A or transaction experience (if relevant)
• CPA or MBA
• Experience with [your key software/systems]
• Previous fractional CFO experience with SMBs

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Engagement Details

• Time Commitment: [8-15] hours per week
• Compensation: [$X,000 - $X,000] per month
• Location: [On-site in City / Hybrid / Remote with periodic on-site]
• Duration: Ongoing with [30-day] notice period
• Start Date: [Date]

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How to Apply

Send to [email/link]:

1. Resume or LinkedIn profile
2. Brief overview of your SMB CFO experience
3. Compensation expectations
4. Questions about the role

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Customization Guide

Startup Template Adjustments

Pre-seed/Seed:

• Emphasize building from zero
• Mention budget constraints realistically
• Focus on fundraising prep and runway management
• Lower hour expectations (8-12/week typical)

Series A/B:

• Include team building responsibilities
• Add board reporting detail
• Mention scaling financial infrastructure
• Higher hour expectations (15-25/week)

Specific Industries:

• SaaS: Add subscription metrics expertise
• Healthcare: Mention regulatory/compliance
• Hardware: Add inventory and supply chain finance
• Marketplace: Add unit economics complexity

SMB Template Adjustments

Service Businesses:

• Emphasize project profitability
• Add utilization and capacity metrics
• Mention client/contract finance

Manufacturing/Distribution:

• Add inventory management
• Include cost accounting expertise
• Mention supplier/vendor finance

Family Business:

• Add family governance sensitivity
• Mention transition/succession planning
• Include shareholder communication

Acquisition Target:

• Focus on due diligence readiness
• Emphasize clean financials and controls
• Mention working with buyers/advisors

What to Include vs. Exclude

Always Include

• Company stage and size indicators
• Specific responsibilities (not generic)
• Required experience level
• Time commitment
• Compensation range
• Key success outcomes

Exclude

• Unrealistic expectations for part-time hours
• Long lists of requirements
• Generic finance duties
• Vague compensation ("competitive")
• Tasks below CFO level

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I decide between startup vs. SMB template?

Use startup template if:

• You have or plan to seek venture funding
• High-growth is the primary goal
• You have a board with institutional investors
• Cash runway and fundraising are key concerns

Use SMB template if:

• You're bootstrapped or traditionally financed
• Profitability matters more than growth rate
• You're owner-operated or family-owned
• Operational improvement is the focus

Should I mention equity for SMB roles?

Less common but possible. Profit-sharing or performance bonuses are more typical for SMB fractional CFOs than equity. Include if it's part of your package.

What about hourly vs. monthly pricing?

Most fractional CFOs prefer monthly retainers for predictability. You can mention "approximately X hours per week" while structuring compensation monthly.

How detailed should success metrics be?

Specific enough to be meaningful, but leave room for the CFO's input. "Improve monthly close from 3 weeks to 5 business days" is good. "Fix everything wrong with finance" is too vague.

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Ready to Find Your CFO?

A clear job description is just the start. The real challenge is finding candidates with the right experience for your specific situation.

Need help finding qualified fractional CFOs? FractionalChiefs connects companies with vetted financial leaders. Post your CFO role or browse our CFO network to find candidates who match your needs.