Fractional CFO Marketing Agencies

Expert financial direction on a Virtual or Fractional basis (part-time) tailored specifically to Marketing sector.

Stop guessing, start growing. A Virtual CFO gives you the clarity, planning, and financial strategy to build a stronger, more profitable marketing agency.

Why Do Marketing Agencies Need a CFO?

Many agency founders come from creative backgrounds, not finance.

Running a marketing agency is fast-paced and client-driven, often leaving little time to focus on the financial side of the business. Margins can be tight, project-based work creates unpredictable cash flow, and scaling requires smart planning. This is where a Virtual or Fractional CFO can make all the difference.

Cash Flow & Project Planning.

Forecast Revenue & Manage Seasonality.

Optimise Profit Ratios & Pricing.

Exit Planning

Business Planning & Growth

Operational Efficiency for Maximum Profit

We were really focused on where we could raise our next invoice; we didn’t really know what was going on beneath the surface of the business.

Pareto FD identified our cost base, where our breakeven point was, and set us up with 3-year budgeting and a monthly review. Next, they set growth goals and held us accountable!

Who are we?

  • Tick icon - 25 years CFO experience

    Founded by Andy Cristin – a seasoned CFO with over 25 years experience.

  • Best-selling author - Financial Guidance - book icon

    Best-selling author—The Profit Mindset and Pivot & Grow

  • Insight icon - indsutry thought leader

    Creator of The CASH Method™ —a proven financial system to help SMEs grow.

Learn More

Since we’ve been working with Pareto FD, we’ve more than tripled our turnover.

We’re now a strong and sustainable company.

FAQs

  • A full-time CFO in the UK can cost anywhere between £100,000 – £200,000+ per year (salary only, excluding benefits).

    For most marketing agencies, this level of investment isn’t realistic, especially if the business is still scaling.

  • Virtual or Fractional CFO services offer expert financial guidance without the overhead of a full-time hire. In the UK, these services typically cost:

    Hourly Rate: £100 – £200 per hour

    Monthly Retainer: £1,000 – £5,000 per month

    To discover Pareto FD’s pricing structure please book a Discovery Consultation.

  • Working with a CFO means you gain visibility and control over your finances, helping you make smarter, data-driven decisions. Benefits include better cash flow, stronger profit margins, reduced financial risk, a clear business growth roadmap, and more time to focus on winning clients and delivering creative work.

  • A CFO (Chief Financial Officer) provides strategic financial oversight tailored to the unique challenges of marketing agencies. This includes cash flow management across projects and retainers, improving profitability through pricing and margin analysis, guiding business planning and investment decisions, streamlining operations, and preparing the agency for future growth or exit.

  • It’s important for us to build strong relationships with our clients, and nothing beats a face-to-face meeting, especially at the start of an engagement. If you’re based in Bristol, London, or Essex (or can travel there), you’ll have the opportunity to meet directly with Andy Cristin, our founder and CFO. These in-person sessions are part of our Fractional CFO Services - a flexible blend of virtual and in-person support.

    Book a Discovery Session now >

Book a discovery call

Book a free 30-minute discovery call to find out how our CFO services could support your business’s next stage of growth.