What a Part-Time CFO Really Is—And What It Is Not
- Michel P.
- Jun 30
- 2 min read
The term "part-time CFO" often triggers curious reactions. Some imagine a glorified bookkeeper. Others picture temporary financial support. Both miss the point entirely.
A part-time CFO (fractional or outsourced CFO) is a senior financial executive who works with your business 2-6 days per month to build robust systems, challenge strategic assumptions, and protect what matters most: cash flow, risk management, and sustainable growth.
Cash and Treasury: Precision Over Approximation
Spotify during its expansion phase worked with senior treasury advisors to centralize cash management and restructure credit facilities—cutting annual interest costs by over €5 million. The difference between reactive and proactive cash management.
Dyson engaged a part-time treasury specialist to implement rolling forecasts and structure a €350 million credit facility, reducing idle cash by 30% while strengthening liquidity oversight. Not revolutionary, simply rigorous.
A part-time CFO elevates cash management from operational necessity to strategic advantage.
Controlling and Investor Relations: Clarity as Currency
Innocent Drinks, backed by Coca-Cola, relied on a part-time finance director who developed product-level margin analysis and standardized monthly variance reporting. This financial transparency was instrumental in securing over £200 million for manufacturing expansion.
Strategic Capital Allocation: Discipline Over Enthusiasm
At Monzo, an external CFO advisor focused technology investments exclusively on projects delivering >20% IRR, avoiding €10 million in questionable capital deployment.
A German logistics company (€50 million sales) faced the classic expansion dilemma. Their part-time CFO's analysis recommended warehouse retrofitting over new construction—saving €4 million while achieving the same capacity increase.
Strategic thinking prevents expensive mistakes.
What a Part-Time CFO is Not
To be precise:
Not an accountant or bookkeeper (they analyze, don't just record)
Not temporary support (they build sustainable financial architecture)
Not junior or deferential (expect direct challenges to management thinking)
They bring 15-25 years of experience with the intellectual independence that comes from not depending on your payroll.
The Economic Logic
A part-time CFO costs €3,000-€12,000 monthly (€36,000-€144,000 annually), compared to a full-time CFO's total European compensation often exceeding €250,000.
The value equation is straightforward: improved cash management, lower borrowing costs through enhanced credibility, disciplined capital allocation, and sharpened financial strategy. Saving €200,000 annually on a €10 million credit facility through better treasury management alone can justify the engagement.
Why This Matters
A part-time CFO transforms finance from cost center to competitive tool. For businesses serious about optimizing cash, building investor confidence, and making intelligent capital decisions, this model provides senior expertise without permanent overhead.
The approach is pragmatic, not revolutionary. Sometimes the most effective solutions are simply well-executed fundamentals.
Ready to discuss what a part-time CFO can accomplish for your business?
Whether your priority is cash optimization, investor relations, or capital discipline, the conversation starts with understanding your specific challenges. Contact me to explore how we can address them together.
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