Fractional CFO for Construction Companies — Controller-Level Oversight Without the $150K Salary
Updated April 2026 · Reviewed by Cory Salisbury, Construction Financial Specialist
Job costing. Cash flow. WIP reporting. Monthly strategy calls. All at 20-30% the cost of a full-time controller.
What Is a Fractional CFO?
A fractional CFO for construction gives you job costing, WIP reporting, 13-week cash flow forecasts, and monthly financial reviews at 20-30% the cost of a full-time controller. Salisbury Bookkeeping specializes in construction companies earning $500K–$10M, integrating QuickBooks Online with field tools like Buildertrend, Procore, and Knowify.
Instead of hiring a $120K–$180K/year controller you may not fully utilize, you get expert financial strategy, real-time job profitability data, and actionable cash flow forecasts for $1,500–$4,000/month. Your CFO scales with your growth.
Fractional CFO vs Full-Time CFO vs Bookkeeper
| Aspect | Bookkeeper | Fractional CFO | Full-Time CFO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope | Records transactions, reconciles accounts, prepares tax returns | Job costing, forecasts, strategy, financial analysis, growth planning | Enterprise strategy, M&A, capital raises, multi-division oversight |
| Monthly Cost | $800–$2,000 | $1,500–$4,000 | $10,000–$15,000+ |
| Expertise | Accounting basics, tax compliance | Construction financials, cash flow, job profitability | Multi-industry, strategic finance, investor relations |
| Availability | Part-time or remote; monthly reviews | Monthly + ad-hoc; responsive to urgent needs | Full-time; always available |
| Construction Knowledge | Often limited; may not understand job costing or WIP | Deep expertise in construction job costing, bonding, cash flow cycles | Generalist; may lack construction-specific insight |
The Graduation Gap: You've outgrown bookkeeping but aren't yet large enough for a full-time CFO. Fractional CFO fills that gap.
What's Included in Fractional CFO Services
Monthly P&L by Job
See exactly how much each job is making or losing. Identify problem jobs early, adjust pricing, and stop margin leaks before they spiral.
13-Week Cash Flow Forecast
Know your cash position 3 months out. Plan for seasonal dips, large material purchases, payroll spikes, and bonding requirements with confidence.
WIP Schedule & Aging Report
Track work-in-progress by job. See which projects are overdue for billing, flag unbilled revenue, and manage project completion more effectively.
Job Cost Variance Reports
Compare estimated costs to actual costs. Identify scope creep, labor inefficiencies, and material waste so you can correct course mid-job.
Change Order Tracking
Never lose a change order. Track approved, pending, and completed change orders to ensure every extra penny is billed and accounted for.
Bank & Bonding Package Prep
Clean financials, current job schedules, and cash flow forecasts ready for bonding companies or lenders. Faster approvals, better rates, higher limits.
Monthly Strategy Call
30–60 minute call to review numbers, answer questions, discuss growth strategies, and solve financial challenges specific to your business.
QuickBooks + Field Tool Integration
Seamless sync between QuickBooks Online, Procore, Buildertrend, or Knowify. Job data flows automatically—no manual entry, less error, real-time visibility.
Who This Is For: The Graduation Gap
You're a construction company earning $500K–$10M per year. You have a bookkeeper, but they're focused on compliance, not strategy. You don't need a full-time CFO—that would cost $150K+ and sit idle half the year. You need someone who understands construction financials, can forecast cash flow, and helps you make better decisions.
That's the Graduation Gap. Too complex for a bookkeeper. Not big enough for a CFO. Fractional CFO fits perfectly.
Signs You Need a Fractional CFO
- You can't answer "Am I making money on this job?" mid-project. Job costing lags by weeks or months. You're flying blind on profitability.
- Cash flow surprises you. You're always wondering if you can make payroll next week or afford that equipment purchase. No forecast, no plan.
- Bonding or banks ask for recent financials and you're embarrassed. Your numbers are incomplete, slow to produce, or outdated.
- You're outgrowing your bookkeeper's bandwidth. They can't keep up with complexity, multi-entity structure, or construction-specific reporting.
- You want to scale but don't know where the money is coming from. No clear understanding of which business lines are profitable or where to reinvest.
- You've had revenue growth but profit hasn't followed. Margin is being nibbled away and you need someone to diagnose where.
Cost & ROI
Fractional CFO
$1,500–$4,000/month
Scales with complexity and revenue
Full-Time Controller
$120K–$180K/year
$10K–$15K/month plus benefits, payroll taxes
ROI Example: $3M Contractor
Scenario: Your fractional CFO identifies $150K in annual margin leaks through job cost variance reporting.
Action: You adjust labor allocation, tighten change order tracking, and improve material cost management.
Result: Year 1 impact: +$150K net profit. Fractional CFO cost: $36K ($3K/month × 12). Your ROI: 4.2× your investment.
Ongoing: Every year you maintain that $150K improvement and catch new leaks early, your CFO more than pays for itself.
How Fractional CFO Works
Onboarding & Setup
We audit your QuickBooks, field management tools (Procore, Buildertrend, Knowify), and current financial processes. We identify gaps, integration opportunities, and quick wins.
Integration & Automation
We build or refine integrations between your accounting and field tools. Job data syncs automatically. No more manual data entry. Real-time accuracy.
Monthly Reporting & Analysis
You receive monthly P&L by job, WIP schedule, cash flow forecast, and variance reports. We identify trends, flag risks, and recommend actions.
Strategy Calls & Ongoing Support
Monthly strategy call to review numbers, answer questions, and align financial strategy with growth goals. Learn more about our approach.
Why Contractors Trust Salisbury Bookkeeping
10+ years construction accounting experience
Certified in Procore, Buildertrend, Knowify, QuickBooks
$500K–$10M contractor specialists
Real-time integrations, not manual workarounds
Bonding & bank package experts
Responsive, accessible, construction-fluent
"Before Salisbury Bookkeeping, I had no idea which jobs were making money until months after completion. Now I get monthly reports that show job profitability in real-time. Caught a $40K problem on a project mid-way and corrected it. That alone paid for the service for 2 years. Their monthly calls keep me thinking strategically instead of just reacting."
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a fractional CFO and a bookkeeper?
A bookkeeper records transactions and ensures accuracy. A fractional CFO analyzes financial data, forecasts cash flow, interprets job profitability, advises on growth strategy, and makes recommendations. Think bookkeeper = rear-view mirror; fractional CFO = windshield with a forecast. Learn more about our bookkeeping services.
How much does a fractional CFO cost vs a full-time controller?
Fractional CFO: $1,500–$4,000/month. Full-time controller: $120K–$180K/year ($10K–$15K/month). A fractional CFO costs 20-30% of a full-time controller and scales with your needs. See detailed pricing.
Can a fractional CFO integrate with Procore, Buildertrend, or Knowify?
Yes. We specialize in integrating QuickBooks Online with field management tools like Procore, Buildertrend, and Knowify. This syncs job data, change orders, and labor into your accounting for real-time job costing. See our full tech stack.
What if my company is under $500K in revenue?
Fractional CFO services are optimized for companies $500K–$10M. Below that, a strong bookkeeping foundation with job costing may be more cost-effective. We can evaluate your specific situation in a free consultation and recommend the right fit for your stage.
How often will I hear from my fractional CFO?
Monthly strategy calls are included. You'll receive monthly P&L by job, 13-week cash flow forecasts, and WIP schedules. Additional ad-hoc support is available as needed. Most clients report monthly touchpoints cover 80% of their needs. Urgent questions get same-day responses.
Can a fractional CFO help with bonding and bank packages?
Yes. We prepare financial statements, job schedules, and cash flow forecasts for bonding companies and banks. Clean, current financials improve bond limits and loan terms. We've helped clients increase bonding capacity by $500K+ through better financial presentation. See case studies.
Ready to Stop Flying Blind?
Book a free 20-minute consultation. We'll review your current financials, identify one quick win, and explain how Fractional CFO could work for your business.
Book Your Free ConsultationOr call (385) 374-9295 | Email: cory@salisburybookkeeping.com