Stay with a general accountant
If you only need compliance and someone else already produces your reporting.
Compare options
Fractional CFO vs accountant vs in-house hire
Growing tech companies usually reach the same question: who should run the finance side now? Here's how the main options compare.
| Criteria | General accountant | In-house finance hire | Fractional CFO | FinanzBee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Tax, VAT and year-end compliance | Day-to-day finance, depends on the person | Strategy, fundraising and board | Accounting, cleanup and management and investor reporting |
| Monthly reporting and forecasts | Rarely included | Yes, if the hire is experienced | Usually oversees, may not produce | Yes, as a standard deliverable |
| Understands SaaS, MSP and project models | Varies | Varies | Often | Built around them |
| Keeps the books themselves | Sometimes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Commitment | Annual engagement | Full-time salary | Part-time retainer | Monthly engagement |
| Best fit | Compliance only | Larger finance workload | Strategic finance leadership | Growing tech companies that need reliable books and reporting |
Which option fits when
Hire in-house
When the finance workload is large enough for a full-time person, and you can manage and retain them.
Bring in a fractional CFO
When the priority is strategy, fundraising or board work, and the underlying accounting already works.
Use an outsourced finance team
When you need the books, reporting, forecasts and investor updates handled together, without building a department.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a fractional CFO and an accountant?
An accountant keeps the books and handles compliance. A fractional CFO provides strategic finance leadership part-time and usually relies on someone else for the accounting.
Is it cheaper to outsource finance or hire in-house?
For most small and mid-sized tech companies, outsourcing costs less than a full-time hire once salary, benefits, tools and management time are included. It also covers several skills at once.
When does a tech company need a CFO?
Usually around a significant raise, complex fundraising or board requirements, or when finance strategy becomes a daily question. Before that, reliable reporting is the bigger need.
What should a specialist tech accountant do that a general accountant doesn't?
Handle recurring revenue, payment platforms, PSAs and project accounting, and produce the metrics tech investors expect.
Your company has enough moving parts already.
Start with a clear look at where things stand and what should improve.