In the trades world, growth brings more complexity — not just more jobs. Suddenly you’re managing cash flow gaps, job costing headaches, unexpected tax bills, and figuring out how to pay yourself without draining the business.
That’s where a CFO can make a massive difference.
But do you need a full-time CFO on payroll? Or would a part-time (fractional) CFO deliver the clarity and control you’re after — without the six-figure salary?
Let’s break it down.
1. What Does a CFO Actually Do in a Trades Business?
Forget the corporate jargon. Here’s what a CFO brings to your business:
- Creates a financial game plan that supports your growth goals
- Tracks profitability by job, crew, or division
- Improves cash flow forecasting so you’re never caught short on payroll
- Helps set owner pay structures that don’t break the business
- Gives you monthly reports that actually mean something
Think of a CFO as the financial foreman — making sure the business behind the tools runs profitably.
2. Full-Time CFO: Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
- Dedicated, daily financial leadership
- Deep understanding of your team, jobs, and internal operations
- Available on-demand for meetings, lender conversations, or emergencies
❌ Cons
- Salary often starts at $150K+ plus benefits
- Overkill for many businesses under $10–15M in revenue
- Can slip into a “reporting” role vs driving strategy if not well utilized
For trades businesses still scaling, a full-time CFO is often too much, too soon — especially when what you really need is clarity, not overhead.
3. Part-Time (Fractional) CFO: Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
- Strategic guidance at a fraction of the cost
- Flexible engagement — from a few hours a month to weekly meetings
- External perspective: less emotional, more focused on the numbers
- Perfect for businesses doing $1M–$10M who are ready to level up
❌ Cons
- May not be onsite regularly (depends on setup)
- Internal team still handles basic bookkeeping/admin
- Success depends on communication and willingness to act on insights
A part-time CFO is ideal when you’re ready to get serious about profits — but not ready (or willing) to shell out for a full-time hire.
4. How to Decide Which One You Need
Ask yourself:
- 💰 Are you doing over $10M+ and scaling fast? You might need full-time.
- 🧱 Are you stuck wondering why you’re busy but not profitable? Part-time CFO.
- 🔁 Are you making decisions without knowing true job margins? Part-time CFO.
- ⏱ Do you need flexible financial leadership without the commitment? Part-time CFO.
Unless you’re a larger company or preparing for major outside investment, a part-time CFO is almost always the better first step.
5. What It’s Like to Work with a Part-Time CFO
At [Your Firm Name], our part-time CFO service is hands-on, personal, and built for trades owners. Here’s what it looks like:
- We meet monthly (or more) to review financials, job margins, and cash flow
- You get clear dashboards, not confusing reports
- We help forecast owner pay, taxes, and upcoming financial gaps
- You finally feel in control of your numbers — not buried by them
6. Final Word: The Right Fit is About ROI, Not Titles
You don’t need a big title on payroll.
You need someone to help you make better, faster, more profitable decisions.
A part-time CFO gives you that strategic firepower — without the full-time cost.
✅ Call to Action
👉 Curious what a part-time CFO could do for your business?
Schedule a Free Financial Clarity Call — let’s talk numbers, not fluff.