Quick Answer
What does a fractional CFO do?
The real job of a fractional or outsourced CFO, how it differs from a bookkeeper, controller and CPA, and what a typical month looks like.
The short answer
- A CFO looks forward: cash planning, pricing, profitability and funding decisions.
- A bookkeeper records history and a controller protects accuracy; a CFO decides what to do next.
- A CPA files your taxes; a CFO helps you make money all year.
- Fractional means you buy part of that person's time instead of a full-time salary.
The job in one sentence
A CFO makes sure you never get surprised by cash, never price below cost, and never make a big money decision on a guess.
Bookkeeper, controller, CPA, CFO
They are four different jobs, and most owners are told they are one.
- Bookkeeper: records and reconciles what already happened
- Controller: owns accuracy, the monthly close and controls
- CPA: files tax returns and handles tax compliance
- CFO: plans cash, sets pricing, funds growth and answers 'what now?'
What a month looks like
Books close, numbers land on one page, alerts flag anything unusual, and you meet once to decide the next moves. Between meetings you can ask questions any time.
What you see inside LedgerDude
This is the page you get each month once your books are closed — the numbers behind every answer on this site.
A month with a fractional CFO
- 1
Close the month
Accounts are reconciled so the numbers can be trusted.
- 2
Read the brief
Cash, profit, and what changed since last month, on one page.
- 3
Review the cash plan
Look 13 weeks ahead and spot tight weeks early.
- 4
Check margins and pricing
Confirm your rates still cover labor, parts and overhead.
- 5
Decide
Agree on one to three actions for the next 30 days.
In one sentence
A fractional CFO plans your cash, checks that your prices cover your costs, shows which work makes money, and puts numbers behind big decisions.
Questions people ask
Do I need a CFO if I have a bookkeeper?
If you can name last month's profit but cannot say which jobs earned it or what next month's cash looks like, that is the gap a CFO fills.
Will a CFO do my bookkeeping?
Not usually as the main job, though LedgerDude can handle the bookkeeping too so everything lives in one place.
Does a fractional CFO work remotely?
Yes. The work is numbers and decisions, so it does not need an office.
What does this cost?
One flat monthly price. No hourly bills, no surprises. Founding plans start at $149 a month, and your rate stays locked.
Keep reading
How much does a fractional CFO cost?
Most small businesses pay $1,000 to $5,000 a month for a fractional CFO, or $150 to $400 an hour with an independent consultant.
When should I hire a CFO?
Hire finance leadership when growth stops feeling like progress: revenue is up but cash is tight, profit is a mystery, or a big money decision is coming.
All answers
Every question we have written a straight answer to.
Pricing
Flat monthly plans based on your revenue.
Want your books handled for you?
We read your receipts, match your bank activity, and close your books every month. You get one short list of questions and a dashboard that always tells the truth.