Fractional CFO Services in the UAE

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

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

Why ISZ Global?

• Corporate tax and VAT-aware CFOs
• Bank and investor reporting
• On-site in Dubai and Abu Dhabi or remote
• Free shortlist within 24 hours

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