CFO Selections Pricing

Understanding the cost of executive search for hiring a CFO.

Key Takeaways

  • •Executive search firm specializing in CFO placements
  • •NOT a fractional CFO service - helps hire full-time CFOs
  • •Search fees typically percentage of CFO compensation
  • •Suitable for companies looking to hire permanent CFO
  • •One-time fee rather than ongoing service
  • •Best for companies needing full-time CFO hire

CFO Selections is an executive search firm specialized in placing CFOs and finance executives. They're fundamentally different from fractional CFO providers—you're not hiring a service, you're paying a finder fee to recruit a full-time or part-time CFO for your organization.

This model makes sense if you're looking to hire a permanent CFO (full-time or fractional) and want help finding the right candidate. But it's important to understand that you're paying for recruitment, not ongoing CFO services. Once the CFO is hired, your relationship with CFO Selections is typically complete.

CFO Selections typically charges a one-time finder fee of 15-20% of the CFO's annual compensation . For example, hiring a $200,000/year CFO would cost $30,000-$40,000 as a one-time placement fee. This is a one-time cost, not ongoing.

How CFO Selections Pricing Works

Understanding CFO Selections' pricing requires understanding their search firm model:

Unlike fractional CFO services that bill monthly, CFO Selections charges a single finder fee. You pay for the service of finding and vetting candidates, not for ongoing CFO work.

Key difference: You pay once, then pay the CFO separately

CFO Selections doesn't provide CFO services—they find people who will. Your ongoing cost is the CFO's compensation (salary + benefits + equity), not a monthly service fee.

Trade-off: More expensive long-term if you need fractional

The fee covers sourcing, vetting, and presenting qualified candidates. The firm has typically pre-screened candidates so you're seeing finance leaders who meet your requirements.

Value: Save time on sourcing and initial screening

What You're Paying For

When using CFO Selections for your CFO hire, consider the total cost:

CFO Selections Pros and Cons

CFO Selections operates as an executive search firm, not a fractional CFO provider. This fundamental difference shapes its pros and cons:

If you need to hire a permanent CFO (full-time or fractional with a specific individual), CFO Selections can efficiently source and vet candidates. The one-time fee structure means you know exactly what you are paying for the recruitment service.

However, you are paying for recruitment, not ongoing CFO services. Once the CFO is hired, your relationship with CFO Selections ends. The ongoing cost is the CFO salary, benefits, and equity—which combined often exceed fractional CFO monthly fees. If you need ongoing CFO support rather than a permanent hire, this model may not be cost-effective.

Pros: Executive search expertise, vetted candidates, one-time fee structure, dedicated CFO placement

Cons: Not ongoing CFO services, total cost includes CFO compensation separately, less suitable for fractional needs

How CFO Selections Pricing Compares to Ongoing Services

Understanding the true cost of CFO Selections requires comparing the one-time search fee to ongoing fractional CFO costs:

With CFO Selections, you pay a one-time fee (typically 15-20% of CFO annual compensation) plus the CFO ongoing compensation. For a $200,000/year CFO, this means $30,000-$40,000 upfront plus $200,000+ annually in salary alone, plus benefits (typically 20-30% additional) and possibly equity.

In contrast, a $5,000/month fractional CFO engagement costs $60,000/year with no long-term obligation, no benefits, no equity, and no recruitment fee. Over two years, a fractional CFO could cost less than a permanent hire when you factor in total compensation.

However, if you need a permanent CFO for 3+ years, the math changes. Calculate your specific break-even point based on the CFO compensation required for your situation.

When Executive Search Makes Sense

Executive search (CFO Selections model) makes sense when you genuinely need a permanent CFO hire—either full-time or as a long-term fractional arrangement with a specific individual you are placing. If you just need ongoing CFO services without a permanent hire, look to fractional CFO firms instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the search fee cover?

The fee covers candidate sourcing, initial vetting, presentation of qualified candidates, and typically some level of reference checking. It does not cover your time in interviewing or the CFOs time if you hire them.

What if the CFO they place does not work out?

Most search arrangements include some guarantee period—typically 3-6 months where a failed placement might result in a partial refund or replacement search. Terms vary, so ask upfront.

How long does the search process take?

Typical searches take 2-4 months from engagement to offer acceptance, depending on the specificity of your requirements and candidate availability at your compensation level.

Can CFO Selections find fractional CFOs or only full-time?

They can place for various arrangements, but their primary model is permanent placements. If you need fractional specifically, clarify upfront whether they have appropriate candidates seeking part-time arrangements.

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 Using Executive Search

Before using CFO Selections or any executive search firm:

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your needs and get a clear quote. No pressure, no hidden fees—just honest conversation about how we can help.

Related Resources

Everything you need to know about costs

CFO Selections Service Approach

CFO Selections operates as a consulting firm focused specifically on helping companies evaluate, select, and implement fractional CFO arrangements. Their service differs from direct fractional CFO providers by focusing on the selection process rather than service delivery itself. The firm helps companies identify their financial management needs, evaluate potential providers, and structure engagements appropriately. This positioning makes CFO Selections particularly valuable for companies that are uncertain about their requirements or lack experience evaluating financial service providers. The consultant network includes CFOs with diverse industry backgrounds and functional expertise, allowing CFO Selections to match client needs with appropriate talent.

Matching and Selection Process

The CFO Selections process begins with detailed discovery to understand the client's business situation, financial management needs, cultural fit requirements, and budget constraints. This assessment generates a clear specification for the type of CFO engagement that would best serve the client. CFO Selections then evaluates their network of consultants against client requirements, presenting a shortlist of candidates who represent potential good fits. The firm facilitates introductions and helps structure engagement terms, providing guidance on pricing negotiations and contract structure. This matching service reduces the risk of poor fit between client and CFO while accelerating the evaluation process compared to independent searching.

Ongoing Support and Engagement Management

Beyond initial matching, CFO Selections provides ongoing support to help clients maximize value from their fractional CFO engagement. This includes periodic check-ins to assess engagement effectiveness, guidance on engagement scope adjustments as client needs evolve, and intervention if issues arise between client and CFO consultant. The firm maintains ongoing relationships with their consultant network, which enables them to provide alternative matches if initial pairings prove unsatisfactory. Companies engaging through CFO Selections benefit from the firm's expertise in fractional CFO arrangements without requiring internal expertise to manage the relationship effectively.

This article is part of our What $3K–$15K/Month Gets You From a Fractional CFO — And How to Know If You're Getting It guide.