For Australian scale-ups, the exciting but dangerous journey from product-market fit to sustainable growth and financial management quickly goes from simple bookkeeping to a key strategic function. There are many problems to deal with, such as dealing with high cash burn, getting ready for Series A/B funding rounds, building financial systems that can grow and giving the board advanced forecasting and reporting. At this point, hiring a full-time, experienced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is often too expensive, but the need for that level of expertise is very high. This aspect is where fractional CFO services really make a difference. A fractional CFO gives you the strategic know-how, experience and leadership of a top finance executive, but on a part-time, flexible and affordable basis. They are the most important guides for growing companies, turning finance from a way to keep track of the past into a tool for making strategic decisions and building investor trust.
The Australian scale-up ecosystem is different from other places because it is close to Asian markets, has complicated R&D tax incentives (RDTIs) and has a different venture capital landscape. This means that you need more than just a regular accountant. A fractional CFO service for scale-ups knows how to do runway math, manage a cap table and look at the complicated metrics (like CAC:LTV, net revenue retention and gross margin efficiency) that both local and international investors look at closely. They play a mix of roles: they are a strategist, a fundraiser, a systems architect and a mentor to the finance team at the company. For founders, this means getting a C-suite partner who can help them build financial credibility, model different growth scenarios, set up strong controls, and, in the end, help them grow the business smartly without having to pay an executive salary of $300,000 or more.
The Important Role of a Fractional CFO in Scale-Ups
A fractional CFO gives companies targeted, high-impact value in a few key areas that are crucial for growth. First, they have experience with fundraising and working with investors. They create intriguing data rooms, build complex financial models to support valuations and talk to potential investors in the exact language of venture capital and growth equity. Second, they set up scalable financial infrastructure that moves the company from spreadsheets to integrated systems like Xero or NetSuite with the right CRM and ERP connections. This makes sure that data is correct and that reports are available in real time.
Third, they are experts at strategic financial planning and analysis (FP&A). They go beyond simple budgeting to dynamic, driver-based forecasting, which helps management see how different strategic choices, like hiring plans, marketing spending and geographic expansion, will affect the company’s finances. Lastly, they teach governance and risk management by setting up board reporting packages, cash flow controls and compliance frameworks that keep the company safe as it grows. In summary, they serve as strategic finance leaders, ensuring that a promising scale-up avoids failure due to financial growth challenges. This lets founders focus on their vision and product while knowing that their financial structure is strong and well-planned.
The 5 Best Fractional CFO Services for Australian Startups
To find the right partner for fractional executive services, you need to look for someone who has the right mix of experience in scaling up, knowledge of the industry and a strategic mindset. The five companies listed below stand out because they have a long history of helping Australian tech and innovation-driven businesses grow quickly.
- The CFO Centre
- FlexiCorp
- Accru
- Aubrey Brown
- Cyan Solutions
A Closer Look at the Top 5 Fractional CFO Services
This is a detailed look at each of the suggested services, including how they work, what sectors they are best for and whether they are a good fit for Australian scale-up companies.
1. The CFO Centre
The CFO Centre is a world leader and one of the most well-known names in the field of fractional CFOs. Their business model is to give small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and scale-ups part-time access to experienced, hands-on CFOs. usually from the Big 4 or the corporate world. They are especially good at giving immediate financial leadership, making operations more stable and getting businesses ready to sell or invest in. They are a favorable choice for scale-ups that need to quickly professionalize their finance function because they have a systematic approach and a large network.
Contact Details & Background
- Official Website: https://www.cfocentre.com.au
- Headquarters: Operations across Australia, with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
- Founded: The global group was founded in the UK in 2001; Australian operations launched subsequently.
- Employee Strength: Network of 50+ Associate CFOs across Australia.
- Core Focus: Part-time CFO services, exit planning, fundraising support and business turnaround.
Awards and Honors
They has consistently been recognized as a leader in the field of fractional executives. Has won many awards for business and franchise consulting models around the world.
Important Things for Scale-Ups
- Proven Methodology: Uses a unique “Value Driver Roadmap” to find and rank the most important changes to make in terms of finances and operations.
- Wide Range of Experience: You can find a lot of CFOs from different industries, which makes it easy to match clients with the right CFO.
- Exit and Fundraising Specialization: Lots of experience getting businesses ready to be sold, merging and structuring investment deals.
- National Coverage: A strong presence in all of Australia’s major business centers.
What Clients Usually Say
“The CFO Centre provided us with a CFO who had deep experience in our sector. In less than three months, they had completely changed how we report, built a reliable three-year model for investors and helped us raise money successfully. They gave us the strategic finance help we needed without having to pay for it full-time.
2. FlexiCorp
FlexiCorp only hires flexible, high-quality C-suite executives and its CFO practice for the technology and high-growth startup sector is especially well-known. They are known for their strict vetting process and for only matching scale-ups with CFOs who have worked directly with venture-backed growth, SaaS metrics and global expansion. Their model is very flexible, with participation levels ranging from a few days a month to almost full-time.
The website provides information on how to get in touch and includes a brief overview of the person.
- Headquarters are in Sydney, New South Wales, but they serve clients all over the country.
- Started: 2015
- Employee Strength: A hand-picked group of more than 100 part-time executives.
- Main goal: to find flexible fractional C-suite talent (CFO, CMO, COO) for new businesses and businesses that are growing.
Awards and Honors
The Australian and BRW wrote about how they came up with the flexible executive model. The Australian startup community holds them in high regard.
Important Things for Scale-Ups
- Tech and Startup Ecosystem Focus: Their network is full of CFOs who have worked for VC-backed companies and know a lot about burn rate, runway and equity management.
- Elite Talent Vetting: A strict selection process makes sure that executives have both a strong business background and experience scaling up quickly.
- Flexible Engagement Models: Can change the level of support up or down as the needs of the company change, which is great for a business that is growing.
- Strategic Business Partnering: Their CFOs often work with the CEO as real business partners, making decisions about strategy that go beyond just money.
What Clients Usually Say
“Our FlexiCorp CFO ‘got’ SaaS from day one. She implemented a metric-driven operating plan, refined our unit economics and was instrumental in our Series A round. She felt like a member of our executive team, not an external consultant, despite being part-time.”
3. Accru
Accru is a group of independent accounting and advisory firms in Australia that work together to provide a great fractional CFO service. This model brings together deep local knowledge with national resources. Accru is ideal for scale-ups that require a full-service company to support the fractional executive, ensuring that all aspects, including tax, R&D incentive claims and compliance work, are managed effectively. Their approach is broad, with a focus on building long-term financial health and giving strategic advice.
Contact Details & Background
- Official Website: https://www.accru.com
- Headquarters: A network with member firms in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra.
- Founded: The Accru network was established in 1998.
- Employee Strength: 500+ professionals across the network.
- Core Focus: Integrated business advisory, tax and fractional CFO/CEO services.
Awards and Recognition:
Often ranked as one of the best accounting and advisory networks in Australia. Recognized for providing excellent client service and expert advice.
Important Things for Scale-Ups
- Integrated Service Offering: The fractional CFO can easily work with in-house tax experts, auditors and grant advisors (for example, for RDTI), making it a one-stop shop.
- Local Presence with National Backbone: Get local service in person, along with the resources and knowledge of a national network.
- Focus on Systems and Processes: Be good at putting in place the right accounting tech stack (ERP, BI tools) and strong month-end processes to help your business grow.
- Good for scale-ups with multiple entities, international goals, or complicated shareholder agreements.
What Clients Usually Say
“Accru gave me the best mix of strategic CFO advice and hands-on compliance. Their CFO helped us set up our business for growth in other countries and their R&D team helped us get the most money back from our tax incentives. It was a partnership that worked well as a whole.
4. Aubrey Brown
Aubrey Brown has made a name for herself as a top fractional CFO and strategic finance partner for ambitious businesses in Australia and the Asia-Pacific that want to grow quickly. They are known for being ready for investors, doing excellent financial modeling and really knowing what global VPs and growth equity firms want. They often have former investment bankers and private equity professionals on their team, which makes them a great partner for companies that need to raise money and grow quickly.
Contact Details & Background
- Official Website: https://aubreybrown.com.au
- Headquarters: Sydney, New South Wales.
- Founded: 2013
- Employee Strength: A compact team of senior finance specialists.
- Core Focus: Strategic CFO advisory, complex financial modeling and capital raising support for high-growth companies.
Awards and Honors
SmartCompany and Startup Daily have both cited them as experts in startup finance. They are renowned for their exceptional work with some of Australia’s largest scale-ups.
Important Things for Scale-Ups
- Investor-Grade Modeling: This company specializes in making complex, scenario-based financial models that management and investors use to talk to each other.
- Capital Strategy Expertise: Helps with all aspects of raising capital, from strategy and pitch deck financials to reviewing term sheets and negotiating with investors.
- APAC Growth Insight: Gives useful advice to companies that want to grow into Southeast Asian markets.
- Board Advisory: Has experience serving as the formal or informal CFO on boards, overseeing investor reporting and governance.
What Clients Usually Say
“The financial model Aubrey Brown made for our Series B was a masterpiece.” It helped us see our path to profitability very clearly and it was a big reason why we got a top-tier VC lead. They work at the strategic level we needed.
5. Cyan Solutions
Cyan Solutions helps technology-driven and innovative growth companies by giving them CFO advice and virtual finance team services. They are especially adept at helping scale-ups that might not have a full finance team yet. They offer a “CFO-led” package that can include management accounting, financial reporting and strategic advice. This makes them a very effective and affordable way for businesses to get help with both high-level strategy and execution.
Contact Details & Background
- Official Website: https://cyan-solutions.com/
- Headquarters: Melbourne, Victoria, with clients across Australia.
- Founded: 2010
- Employee Strength: Team of 15-30 finance professionals.
- Core Focus: Virtual CFO and finance team services for tech and growth companies.
Awards and Honors
Recognized as the Xero Partner of the Year and a leader in cloud-based financial solutions for small businesses.
Important Things for Scale-Ups
- Virtual Finance Department Model: Can offer a fully outsourced layer from the CFO to the bookkeeper, making sure that everyone is on the same page and working efficiently.
- Tech-Enabled & Cloud-First: We are experts at using and setting up the best cloud accounting, analytics and reporting tools (Xero, Spotlight Reporting, Fathom).
- Managing operational cash flow: a strong focus on predicting weekly cash flow and optimizing working capital, which is crucial for keeping up with growth rates.
- Scalable Service: As the company’s internal team grows or its needs change, we can easily raise or lower the level of support.
Typical Client Feedback
“Cyan took care of all of our finances. Their fractional CFO made the plans and their team took care of the accounting and reporting on a daily basis. Our founders were able to concentrate solely on expansion because everything went smoothly and expertly. “Just right for the stage we were at.”
Conclusion
For Australian scale-ups, hiring a fractional CFO is a smart move that will help them grow in a way that is mature, credible and long-lasting. It shows that smart financial leadership isn’t just for ASX-listed companies; it’s a key part of successful scaling. The right service can make a big difference. For instance, consider The CFO Centre’s global methodology, FlexiCorp’s tech-focused network, Accru’s integrated advisory, Aubrey Brown’s investor-ready expertise, or Cyan Solutions’ virtual department model.
All of the best providers have one thing in common: they can turn complicated operations into clear finances, create strong systems that stop problems from happening in the future and talk to investors with confidence. By hiring this expert part-time, founders get a seasoned guide for the most important financial part of their company’s journey, which lowers risk and speeds up growth. A fractional CFO is not an expense in the race to grow; they are the co-pilot who makes sure you have the fuel, the map and the metrics to get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does a fractional CFO usually cost for a business that is growing in Australia?
Costs are usually set up as a monthly retainer, which can range from $3,000 to $15,000 or more per month, depending on the size of the business, the level of the CFO and how complicated the business is. This is a lot less than the $250,000 to $400,000+ annual package for a full-time equivalent.
2. How much time do you think a fractional CFO will spend on my business?
This changes based on what you need. Common engagements last from 2 to 4 days a month for basic strategic oversight to 8 to 12 days a month for businesses that are actively raising money or going through a complicated transition. The engagement is very flexible.
3. What makes a fractional CFO different from a financial controller or an accountant?
The historical accounting function (reporting, compliance, controls) is managed by a financial controller. A fractional CFO is all about the future: strategy, raising money, keeping investors happy and making plans for the future. They are in charge of the controller’s work but work at a higher level.
4. How can I tell if my scale-up is ready for a part-time CFO?
Some important signs are planning to raise capital in the next 12 to 18 months, growing quickly and making it hard to manage cash flow, not having the internal knowledge to make complex forecasts, needing to present to a formal board or investors, or getting ready to leave.
5. Can a fractional CFO help with claims for the R&D tax incentive?
A knowledgeable fractional CFO may not write the technical report, but they will make sure that your financial systems and project tracking are set up to get the most eligible claims, work with your R&D consultant and make sure that the financial data they present is accurate and follows the rules.
6. What should I look for in a fractional CFO service?
1) Relevant experience in scaling up or in the industry, 2) Proven success in fundraising or exits, 3) A good fit with your leadership team, 4) Clear expectations for their work and deliverables and 5) Strong references from companies that are similar to yours. Chemistry and strategic alignment are crucial.
