Ask HN: What do you think about Fractional CFOs

Once I got over the fear of hiring workers that didn’t work, a Fractional CFO was a game changer. What has been your experience?

5 points | by mtmosestn 8 hours ago

6 comments

  • propter_hoc 7 hours ago
    I think this post is bait, but hiring executive contractors is essentially a terrible idea for startups.

    Your 'fractional cxo' will cost as much as a full time junior, work very few hours, not care about your equity, and be mostly unconcerned whether you succeed or fail.

    Get an employee who's dedicated to your mission and wants to prove themselves, or learn to do the job yourself until you can justify the hire.

    • kryogen1c 6 hours ago
      > Get an employee who's dedicated to your mission

      I dont know about startup culture or silicon Valley, but i do know a fractional cfo who is more motivated and dedicated than most full time associates.

      I'm not convinced fractionalness is a bad thing; i would think it adds tight feedback loop for performance that executives sorely lack.

  • altairprime 56 minutes ago
    I’d love to hear an explanation of what ‘fractional CFO’ means in this specific circumstance; please tell us more?

    (Non-OP folks, I’m familiar in a general sense but I’d rather not assume the details, so this request is for OP alone to clarify their question with additional details.)

  • BobbyTables2 7 hours ago
    Why stop there instead of an entirely fractional executive leadership?
  • m463 4 hours ago
    serious question - what happens at the end of a quarter and you don't have them.

    sort of like tahoe timeshares near heavenly for periods when there is no snow.

  • tiffanyh 7 hours ago
    “Fractional” seems to be the modern-day buzzword for a 1099 contractor.

    (and your experience will all depend upon the contractor)

  • tuomotestaa 37 minutes ago
    [flagged]