Fractional CFO: what it does, what it costs, how to choose one
A fractional CFO – also called CFO as a Service or external CFO – is a senior chief financial officer who works for your company part-time, for a fixed monthly fee. For Swiss SMEs and scale-ups with CHF 1–10M revenue, it is usually the most cost-effective way to get CFO-level goal setting, forecasting and planning.
When does an SME need a fractional CFO?
Revenue has passed roughly CHF 1–2M and decisions are getting bigger than the numbers behind them.
Cash is tight despite growth, or you cannot say with confidence how long your liquidity lasts.
You are preparing a funding round, a bank loan or a sale and need a credible plan and financial model.
Your board or investors ask for budgets, forecasts and KPI reporting that you cannot produce today.
Your Treuhänder delivers compliant accounts, but nobody turns them into decisions.
What a fractional CFO does for you
Sets financial goals and the 3–5 KPIs that steer the business
Builds and maintains a rolling cash flow forecast
Prepares the annual budget and multi-year plan under Swiss OR
Delivers monthly management reporting with CFO commentary
Analyses profitability by client, project or product, and challenges pricing
Prepares you for board meetings, banks and investors, including fundraising
What does a fractional CFO cost in Switzerland?
Fractional CFO fees are usually charged as a monthly retainer or as a day rate. At Gade Growth CFO Solutions, the monthly packages are Foundation at CHF 3'100, Growth at CHF 4'900 and Scale at CHF 7'900, each with a one-time setup fee.
For comparison: the average CFO salary in Switzerland reported by jobs.ch is around CHF 151'000 per year, including bonus and 13th salary. Employer social charges and pension contributions add roughly 15–20%, so a full-time CFO typically costs CHF 175'000 or more per year – about CHF 14'500 per month – before recruiting fees, equity and the risk of a wrong hire. Experienced scale-up CFOs often cost considerably more.
Fractional, interim or full-time CFO?
Fractional CFO
Part-time and ongoing, for a fixed monthly fee. Right when you need CFO thinking every month, but not a full-time executive.
Interim CFO
Full-time or near full-time for a limited period – for example to bridge a vacancy, a restructuring or a transaction.
Full-time CFO
A permanent executive. Right once finance complexity requires a dedicated leader and team every day.
How to choose a fractional CFO
Swiss know-how: Swiss OR, VAT, social insurance, and how banks and investors read your numbers.
A real CFO track record, not only accounting or consulting.
Understanding of your sector and business model.
A clear scope and a fixed monthly price.
Independence: no equity stakes or commissions that colour the advice.
The right languages: German and English.
Works alongside your Treuhänder instead of replacing them.
Why Gade Growth CFO Solutions
Gade Growth is a fractional CFO practice based in Weisslingen (Zurich), working with companies across Switzerland. Founder Soren Gade has more than 25 years of senior finance leadership, including as CFO Northern Europe at Akkodis/Modis and 13 years at The Adecco Group. We focus on three things: goal setting, forecasting, and planning and budgeting – and we do not take equity in client companies.
By industry: Fractional CFO for cleantech and climate tech · Fractional CFO for healthtech and medtech · Fractional CFO for B2B service companies
Questions about fractional CFOs
Is a fractional CFO only for startups?
No. Most fractional CFO clients are established, owner-led SMEs and scale-ups with CHF 1–10M revenue that have outgrown bookkeeping-only finance but do not need a full-time CFO.
Can a fractional CFO help with fundraising?
Yes. A fractional CFO builds the financial plan and model, prepares answers to investor questions and supports due diligence, so the numbers hold up in front of investors or banks.
What is the difference between a fractional CFO and an interim CFO?
A fractional CFO works part-time on an ongoing basis. An interim CFO covers a full-time role for a limited period, for example during a vacancy or a transaction.
Do you work with companies outside Zurich?
Yes. Gade Growth works with companies across Switzerland, in English and German.
Find out whether a fractional CFO fits your company
Book a no-obligation intro call with Soren Gade.