80/20 Consulting Pricing

80/20 Consulting takes a different approach to fractional CFO services—they focus on project-based work with hourly billing rather than monthly retainers. The name "80/20" suggests they help clients focus on the 20% of efforts that drive 80% of results.

This model works well for companies that have specific, defined projects rather than ongoing CFO needs. If you need a financial model built, fundraising prep completed, or a specific strategic initiative, project-based consulting can be more cost-effective than a monthly retainer. However, you lose the ongoing relationship and availability that retainers provide.

Based on industry data, 80/20 Consulting typically charges $150 to $250 per hour for their services. Project-based work is also available at fixed fees depending on scope. There's no retainer requirement, giving you flexibility but potentially less predictable costs.

The 80/20 principle, also known as the Pareto Principle, suggests that 80% of outcomes come from 20% of efforts. In the context of CFO consulting, this means identifying the high-impact financial activities that will move the needle most for your business. Rather than providing full-time strategic oversight, 80/20 Consulting focuses on these high-leverage areas where their expertise can generate the greatest return.

For startups and growing companies, this approach can be particularly attractive. Early-stage companies often don't need (or can't afford) a full-time CFO, but they do need expert guidance on specific financial challenges. A project-based model allows you to get that expert help without committing to a long-term engagement. The key is understanding whether your needs align with this model or whether you'd benefit more from ongoing fractional CFO support.

How 80/20 Consulting Pricing Works

Understanding 80/20 Consulting's pricing requires understanding their project-based model:

You pay for the hours actually worked on your project. This gives you flexibility—you're not locked into a monthly retainer—but requires active scope management to control costs.

Benefit: No long-term commitment required

Rather than ongoing fractional CFO support, 80/20 Consulting focuses on specific deliverables: financial models, fundraising materials, strategic analysis, or process improvements.

Best for: Companies with defined projects

Unlike traditional fractional CFOs, there's no monthly retainer. You engage for specific projects and can walk away when the work is done. This provides maximum flexibility but less ongoing support.

Trade-off: Flexibility vs. ongoing partnership

The hourly billing model has several implications for how you work with 80/20 Consulting. First, you need to have a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish. The more specific you can be about your deliverable, the easier it is to estimate costs and measure progress. Second, you should expect to be actively involved in the process—providing feedback, answering questions, and reviewing drafts. This involvement helps keep the project on track and ensures you're getting value for your investment.

Fixed-fee project pricing is also available and can be advantageous for certain types of engagements. With fixed fees, you know your total cost upfront, which makes budgeting easier. However, fixed-fee projects typically require very clear scope definition, and there's a risk that the consultant may rush through work to stay within the agreed-upon price. Hourly billing, while less predictable, can be better for complex projects where scope may evolve.

What You're Paying For

When you engage 80/20 Consulting, here's what typically influences the cost:

**Project Complexity**: More complex projects requiring deep analysis or specialized expertise will command higher rates. A simple financial model for a straightforward business will cost less than a multi-scenario fundraising model with complex valuation assumptions.

**Scope Definition**: Well-defined projects with clear deliverables tend to be more cost-effective. Ambiguous or evolving scopes can lead to additional hours and unexpected costs.

**Timeline**: Urgent projects may come with premium pricing. If you need work completed quickly, expect to pay more than you would for a standard timeline.

**Experience Level**: The specific consultant assigned to your project can affect rates. More experienced CFOs with specialized industry knowledge may charge higher hourly rates.

**Deliverables Format**: The format and detail level of final deliverables also influences cost. A basic Excel model costs less than a comprehensive financial model with integrated dashboards, scenario analysis, and presentation-ready formatting.

80/20 Consulting Pros and Cons

**Pros:**

**Flexibility**: No long-term commitment. Engage for specific projects and end the relationship when work is complete.

**Cost Control**: Pay only for hours worked. No wasted spend on retainer hours you don't use.

**Specific Expertise**: Get specialist help for specific challenges rather than generalist ongoing support.

**Lower Entry Point**: Access to CFO-level expertise at a lower cost than monthly retainers.

**Cons:**

**No Ongoing Relationship**: Each project starts from scratch. No cumulative knowledge of your business.

**Availability**: May not be available for quick questions between projects. No guaranteed response time.

**Less Strategic Depth**: Focus on specific deliverables rather than ongoing strategic guidance.

**Variable Costs**: Monthly costs can fluctuate based on project needs, making financial planning more difficult.

Eagle Rock CFO Pricing

For comparison, here's what Eagle Rock CFO offers. Our pricing is transparent and designed for seed to Series A startups:

Monthly reporting, dashboards, KPI tracking, and AI-powered insights.

Full CFO partnership including strategy, board decks, and fundraising.

Full partnership with board attendance and M&A support.

Our pricing includes CFO expertise from Harvard MBA founders who've scaled companies to $100M+, top-tier PE experience, and AI-powered analytics. No hidden fees or surprise costs.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

Before engaging 80/20 Consulting or any project-based CFO:

**1. What specific deliverables will I receive?** Get everything in writing, including format, level of detail, and number of revisions included.

**2. How do you handle scope changes?** Understand their process for addressing requests that fall outside the original scope.

**3. What information do you need from me?** Ensure you have the data and access required to support the project.

**4. What's your typical timeline for this type of project?** Align expectations on delivery dates from the start.

**5. Do you offer any post-project support?** Understand what's included after deliverables are provided.

**6. How do you communicate during the project?** Establish expectations for updates and check-ins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

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