Fractional CFO Services in Saudi Arabia

Saudi businesses face Zakat or income tax filings, ZATCA e-invoicing waves, SOCPA-based audited statements, GOSI and Nitaqat costs, and, for many, a parent company or investor asking for monthly numbers. A fractional CFO brings senior finance leadership to that mix without a full-time hire: reliable management accounts, cash and Zakat planning, budgets, and audit and bank readiness. ISZ Global shortlists vetted fractional CFOs in Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Province who understand the Saudi regulatory context. You choose who to appoint.

Looking for Fractional CFO guidance in the UAE instead? View our the UAE page →

What a fractional CFO does (and doesn't do)

A fractional CFO is a senior finance leader who works for your company part-time, typically a set number of days a month or on a defined project. You get the judgement of someone who has run a finance function, without the cost of a full-time hire. "Virtual CFO", "part-time CFO" and "outsourced CFO" describe the same model. The difference is only how much of the work happens on-site.

A fractional CFO isn't your bookkeeper and isn't your auditor. They rely on clean monthly books and they work alongside an independent external auditor; they don't replace one. If your books are behind, fix that first, or hire a CFO who can also oversee the accounting team.

Typical scope

Monthly management accounts with commentary the owner can act on, not just a trial balance.
13-week cash-flow forecast and working-capital control (receivables, payables, inventory).
Annual budget and rolling forecast, with budget-versus-actual reviews.
Bank relationships: facility applications, covenant reporting and renegotiation.
Investor and board reporting, data rooms and due diligence support for fundraising or a sale.
Coordinating the tax agent and the auditor: corporate tax and VAT in the UAE, Zakat, income tax and VAT with ZATCA in Saudi Arabia.
Finance team structure, ERP and controls, so the company is ready for a full-time CFO later.

When a fractional CFO makes sense

Revenue is growing but the owner still can't see margin by product, client or branch.
Cash is tight even though the P&L shows a profit.
A bank, investor or buyer is asking for numbers the current team can't produce.
You are preparing for a first audit, corporate tax registration or a ZATCA review.
You are expanding from the UAE into Saudi Arabia (or the reverse) and need a second entity's finance set up properly.

How engagements are usually priced

Most fractional CFOs work on a monthly retainer for an agreed number of days, or a fixed fee for a project such as a fundraise or a budget. The fee is driven by the number of days, the complexity (entities, currencies, inventory, group reporting), whether the CFO also manages your accounting team, and how much on-site time you need. Agree the deliverables and the monthly calendar in writing before you start.

Questions to ask before you appoint a fractional CFO

Which companies of our size and sector have you run finance for, and what changed while you were there?
What will I receive every month, and on which day?
Who prepares the books, and who reviews them?
How will you work with our auditor and our tax agent? (The CFO shouldn't be either of them.)
Do you have any financial interest in the banks, software or advisors you recommend?
What does a handover look like if we hire a full-time CFO?

Who needs this service

SMEs that have outgrown bookkeeper-level reporting
Founders preparing for a bank facility, investor round or sale
Owners who can't see margin and cash clearly month to month
Groups expanding between the UAE and Saudi Arabia

How it works

1Share your revenue stage, accounting set-up and priorities
2Receive a shortlist of 2–3 vetted fractional CFOs within 24 hours
3Agree scope, days per month and monthly deliverables in writing
4Your CFO delivers reporting, cash control and board-ready numbers

Get a free shortlist of vetted fractional CFOs

Why ISZ Global?

Zakat and ZATCA-aware CFOs
Budgets, cash flow and board packs
On-site in Riyadh and Jeddah or remote
Free shortlist within 24 hours

Meet Our Consultants

1 matching specialists — free inquiry

Sabah

Verified

شركة الحلول الاربعة للاستشارات المالية والادارية (SAFT)

BookkeepingFinancial Audit

🇸🇦 Jeddah

4 yrs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a fractional CFO and a virtual CFO?

It's the same model: a senior CFO working part-time for your company. "Virtual" usually means most of the work is remote. Agree how many on-site days you need when you set the scope.

How many days a month does a fractional CFO work?

It's set by scope rather than by a standard. Many engagements start with a few days a month and increase around budgets, audits, fundraising or bank renewals. Write the days and the monthly deliverables into the engagement letter.

Is the initial consultation free through ISZ Global?

Yes. Submit a match request and we will introduce you to verified fractional cfo specialists within 24 hours — free and with no obligation.