{
  "report": "What a Fractional CFO Actually Costs",
  "type": "pricing",
  "url": "https://www.shortlistreport.com/article/fractional-cfo-cost",
  "question": "How much does a fractional CFO cost per month?",
  "engine": "ChatGPT",
  "sampleSize": 90,
  "answersQuotingPrice": 54,
  "windowStart": "2026-08-08",
  "windowEnd": "2026-08-21",
  "published": "2026-08-08",
  "updated": "2026-08-21",
  "publisher": "The Shortlist Report",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "note": "answers = sampled answers quoting this pricing model, counted once each. typical_low/high are MEDIANS of the quoted low and high bounds; spread_low/high are the 10th and 90th percentiles. Not quotes, not a rate card — a count of what an AI assistant stated when asked.",
  "models": [
    {
      "model": "monthly_retainer",
      "label": "Monthly retainer",
      "unit": "$/month",
      "answers": 53,
      "share": 58.9,
      "low": 2000,
      "high": 15000,
      "spreadLow": 400,
      "spreadHigh": 20000,
      "display": "$2,000–$15,000",
      "spread": "$400–$20,000"
    },
    {
      "model": "hourly",
      "label": "Hourly rate",
      "unit": "$/hour",
      "answers": 25,
      "share": 27.8,
      "low": 150,
      "high": 450,
      "spreadLow": 150,
      "spreadHigh": 500,
      "display": "$150–$450",
      "spread": "$150–$500"
    },
    {
      "model": "project_fee",
      "label": "One-off project fee",
      "unit": "$ per project",
      "answers": 3,
      "share": 3.3,
      "low": 450,
      "high": 2000,
      "spreadLow": 450,
      "spreadHigh": 2000,
      "display": "$450–$2,000",
      "spread": "$450–$2,000"
    }
  ]
}