If your Vancouver business has revenue between $500,000 and $15 million, you likely need strategic financial leadership — but you cannot justify a $180,000+ full-time CFO.
A fractional CFO solves this. You get a CPA-designated executive with 15+ years experience for 10–20 hours per week at one-third to one-half the cost of a full-time hire.
ARV Consultants has provided fractional CFO services to Vancouver businesses since 2018. We have helped clients secure over $40 million in financing, identify $8 million+ in tax savings, and build forecasting systems that eliminated cash flow surprises.
What Is a Fractional CFO?
A fractional CFO is an experienced financial executive who works with multiple businesses on a part-time or project basis. You share their time — and their cost — with 2–4 other non-competing businesses.
You get the same expertise as a full-time CFO:
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CPA designation with 15+ years experience
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Strategic financial planning and forecasting
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Banking and lender relationship management
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Board and investor reporting
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Tax planning and optimization
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M&A and valuation support
You do NOT pay for:
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Recruitment fees ($18k–$28k)
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CPP, EI, and benefits (15–20% of salary)
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RRSP matching (3–6%)
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Severance or termination costs
The result: executive-level financial leadership at a sustainable cost for growing BC businesses.
Do You Qualify for a Fractional CFO?
Not every business needs a CFO. Here is how to know if you are ready.
You likely qualify for a fractional CFO if:
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Your revenue is $500,000 to $15 million
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You have a bookkeeper or controller but lack strategic financial guidance
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You cannot confidently forecast cash flow 90 days out
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Your bank has asked for better financial statements or projections
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You are making major decisions (hiring, expansion, acquisitions) without a financial model
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Your tax planning is limited to “send everything to my accountant in March”
You are NOT ready for a fractional CFO if:
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Your revenue is under $500,000 (start with a bookkeeper or controller)
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You need daily transaction processing, not strategy
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Your financial questions are purely about recording past transactions
If you are unsure, take our diagnostic: signs your business needs a fractional CFO.
What Does Fractional CFO Cost in Vancouver? (2026 Pricing)
Fractional CFO services in Vancouver range from $3,200 to $8,500 per month depending on hours and scope.
| Engagement Tier | Monthly Hours | Monthly Investment | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advisory | 5–10 hours | $3,200–$5,500 | Cash flow review, lender packages, basic forecast, quarterly tax planning |
| Strategic | 10–20 hours | $5,500–$8,500 | Full financial oversight, monthly board reporting, KPI tracking, year-round tax strategy, banking relationships |
| Project | Varies | $275–$425/hour | Valuation, merger support, system implementation, fundraising preparation |
What is included in every engagement:
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Dedicated CPA-designated fractional CFO
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Monthly strategy sessions
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Unlimited email support for quick questions
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Access to our financial modeling templates
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Coordination with your bookkeeper, accountant, and banker
What is NOT included (and why you do not want it):
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Data entry or transaction processing (your bookkeeper handles this)
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Payroll processing (specialized payroll services do this better)
Not sure which tier fits your revenue? A 15-minute call gives you a clear answer. book a free consultation
Fractional vs Full-Time: The Real Cost Difference
Here is what a full-time CFO actually costs a Vancouver business in 2026:
| Cost Component | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Base salary (market rate) | $125,000–$185,000 |
| Bonus (15–25%) | $18,750–$46,250 |
| CPP + EI employer portion | $6,000 |
| Extended health benefits | $5,500–$8,500 |
| RRSP match (3–6%) | $3,750–$11,100 |
| Recruitment fees (one-time) | $18,750–$27,750 |
| Total first-year cost | $179,950–$287,800 |
| Recurring annual cost (year 2+) | $161,200–$260,050 |
Compare to fractional CFO:
| Engagement | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Advisory tier (5–10 hours/week) | $38,400–$66,000 |
| Strategic tier (10–20 hours/week) | $66,000–$102,000 |
Annual savings with fractional CFO: $80,000–$120,000+
For a detailed breakdown of every cost component, see our full cost comparison of fractional vs full-time CFO.
How ARV Consultants Delivers Fractional CFO Services
We do not just send you reports. We embed with your team as a strategic partner.
Month 1 — Discovery and Foundation
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Review historical financial statements (3 years)
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Interview leadership team about goals and pain points
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Build 13-week cash flow forecast
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Assess banking relationships and financing options
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Identify immediate tax planning opportunities
Month 2 — Systems and Reporting
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Implement KPI dashboard (customized to your business)
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Establish monthly board reporting package
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Set up rolling forecast model (updated weekly)
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Review and optimize pricing/profitability by customer/product
Month 3+ — Strategic Execution
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Lead monthly strategy sessions with leadership
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Manage banking relationships and financing applications
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Drive tax planning quarterly (not just at year-end)
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Prepare for board meetings, investor updates, or exit planning
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Identify and execute on growth opportunities
What our clients say: “ARV Consultants helped us secure a $2.5M credit line that our bank had rejected twice before. Their fractional CFO built the forecast and covenants that got it done.” — Vancouver manufacturing client, $8M revenue.
What You Get with ARV Consultants’ Fractional CFO
CPA-designated executive leadership
Your fractional CFO is not a junior accountant. You get a senior financial executive with 15+ years experience. Our Director, Rajeev Kumar, has been named one of the world’s Top 10 CFOs by CEO Insights Magazine (2024, 2023, 2022).
Vancouver-specific expertise
We know BC’s tax credits (SR&ED, Interactive Digital Media, Training Tax Credit). We know local lenders (Vancity, Coastal Capital, BC Credit Unions). We know the industries that drive Vancouver’s economy — tech, construction, professional services, manufacturing, and retail.
No long-term contracts
Month-to-month engagements. If it is not working, you walk away. No severance. No drama.
Seamless integration with your team
We work alongside your bookkeeper, controller, and accountant. We do not replace them — we elevate them.
Not Ready for a CFO? Start Here Instead
If your revenue is under $500,000 or your needs are purely transactional, start with bookkeeping and controller services. Then graduate to fractional CFO when you hit the revenue threshold.
Beyond Fractional — Full CFO Services When You Are Ready
Some businesses eventually need a full-time CFO. You will know when:
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You have multiple legal entities or international operations
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You are raising institutional capital (Series A or larger)
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Your board or investors require a dedicated finance executive
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Your finance function has 3+ internal staff requiring management
When you reach that stage, ARV Consultants provides full CFO service offerings including recruitment support and transition planning.
Ready to Add a Fractional CFO to Your Vancouver Business?
You get executive-level financial strategy without the $180k+ price tag. You get clarity on cash flow, confidence with your bank, and a strategic partner who helps you grow profitably.
Here is how to start:
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Book a free 15-minute consultation — no hard sell, just answers
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We assess your current financial operations — what is working, what is missing
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You get a specific quote and engagement plan — no surprises
Rajeev Kumar, Director at ARV Consultants. Named one of the world’s Top 10 CFOs by CEO Insights Magazine (2024, 2023, 2022). 18 years advising BC businesses on financial strategy and executive leadership.