How much does it really cost to hire a CFO in the UK?

How much does it *really* cost to hire a CFO in the UK? Let’s break it down.

For growth-stage and investor-backed businesses, you’re looking at:

£140k to £200k base salary

20%–40% bonus, and Often 1 to 3% equity

That’s for a full-time CFO.

If you need someone faster — or for a specific phase — an Interim CFO might be the answer. Interim CFOs charge between £800 to £1,500 per day.

They bring impact fast — no hand-holding, no learning curve.

If you're using an executive search firm like us, expect a 25–33% fee based on first-year comp — paid in stages, with full partnership with you for the duration of the process.

Bottom line? The *wrong* CFO is far more expensive than the fee to find the right one.

A great CFO will pay for themselves — fast.

Need help? Drop me a message — no pitch, just honest advice.