STANDARD Knowledge
Definitions, comparisons, decision frameworks, and pricing intelligence for the fractional CFO market. Published by STANDARD as a permanent reference for founders, CEOs, and boards.
Definition
A comprehensive definition of the fractional CFO role — responsibilities, engagement model, pricing, and how it differs from a bookkeeper, controller, or CPA.
Pricing
A complete guide to fractional CFO pricing — hourly rates, monthly retainers, quarterly engagements, and how the cost compares to a full-time CFO.
A commercial guide to every fractional CFO pricing model — hourly, daily, monthly, quarterly, retainer, project, and enterprise — with a decision framework.
Comparison
A comprehensive comparison of fractional and full-time CFOs — cost, hiring timeline, risk, scalability, team structure, and when each is the correct choice.
Understand the difference between a fractional CFO, controller, bookkeeper, CPA, FP&A analyst, and finance director — and when each role is needed.
The difference between a fractional CFO and a CPA — tax, audit, planning, forecasting, board representation, and when a company needs each.
Timing
A checklist of the revenue, funding, cash flow, and board triggers that indicate a company should hire a fractional CFO — with a decision framework.
Scope
The complete scope of a fractional CFO — planning, forecasting, cash, board, fundraising, hiring, pricing, KPIs, capital allocation, and executive leadership.
Stage
How venture-backed startups use fractional CFOs from Seed through Series B — investor expectations, runway management, fundraising support, and finance stack.
Industry
How SaaS companies use fractional CFOs — ARR and MRR reporting, CAC and LTV, burn multiple, Rule of 40, and investor-grade board reporting for subscription businesses.
Fractional CFO guidance for manufacturers — inventory, working capital, gross margin, cost accounting, ERP, and CapEx discipline.
Fractional CFO guidance for healthcare organizations — medical practices, MSOs, revenue cycle, compliance, and multi-location finance.