Apply for Interim or Fractional Jobs

Join Oak CEO to explore opportunities in fractional and interim CFO and CEO roles, working with companies that need experienced leadership on a flexible basis. Whether you’re looking for fractional CFO jobs, interim CEO positions, or remote CFO opportunities, we connect top executives with high-impact assignments. Submit your application below to be considered for current and upcoming roles.




    Frequently Asked Questions About CEO and CFO Careers

    Becoming a fractional CFO typically follows a traditional CFO career path, but with a shift toward independent or flexible work. Most professionals start in accounting, finance, or FP&A roles, progress into senior finance leadership (such as Finance Director or VP Finance), and eventually take on full CFO responsibilities.

    To transition into fractional work, you need:

    • Proven CFO-level experience (strategy, reporting, leadership)
    • Ability to work across multiple companies
    • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
    • A network or platform (like Oak CEO) to access opportunities

    Many fractional CFOs choose this path after years in full-time executive roles, as it offers flexibility and exposure to different industries.

    There is no single degree required to become a CEO, but most successful candidates have a strong educational foundation. Typically, a bachelor’s degree is required, and many CEOs also complete graduate school programs such as an MBA.

    What’s needed in practice:

    • A solid academic background (business, finance, engineering, etc.)
    • Leadership experience gained over time
    • In many cases, education from well-known schools helps—but it is not strictly required

    Ultimately, boards and investors care more about your track record than the specific schools you attended, but formal education is still an important stepping stone.

    CFO roles tend to have more defined education requirements than CEO roles. Most CFOs have:

    • A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or business
    • Often a master’s degree (MBA or similar)
    • Professional certifications such as CPA or CMA

    Many executives also complete executive education programs to strengthen leadership, strategy, and financial management skills. These programs are especially valuable when moving into more complex or larger organizations.

    A CFO combines deep technical expertise with leadership capability. Key skills include:

    • Financial reporting and accounting (GAAP, audits, controls)
    • Strategic planning and forecasting (FP&A)
    • Cash flow and capital management
    • Data analysis and financial systems
    • Leadership and team management
    • Communication with boards, investors, and stakeholders

    Modern CFOs are also expected to act as strategic partners to the CEO, not just financial operators.

    CEO skills are broader and more strategic. The most important include:

    • Strategic thinking and decision-making
    • Leadership and organizational design
    • Financial literacy (working closely with the CFO)
    • Stakeholder management (board, investors, customers)
    • Operational oversight
    • Problem-solving under uncertainty

    The CEO role is ultimately about setting direction and aligning the entire organization toward it.

    CFO salary varies widely depending on company size, industry, and experience. In general:

    • The average CFO salary in the US is around $400,000–$450,000 per year for larger companies, with typical ranges roughly between $390,000 and $490,000 in base salary
    • CFO pay can be significantly lower in smaller companies or startups, where compensation may fall into the mid-to-high six figures or below
    • Small business CFO salary levels are often much lower than enterprise roles, especially when the position is part-time or evolving

    In addition to base salary, CFO pay often includes bonuses and equity, which can substantially increase total compensation—particularly in larger organizations.

    Interim and fractional CFO compensation is typically structured differently from full-time roles.

    • Fractional CFOs often charge hourly rates (commonly a few hundred dollars per hour) or monthly retainers
    • Monthly retainers can range from a few thousand to $10,000+ depending on scope
    • Interim CFOs may work at higher intensity and are often paid hourly or on a monthly contract basis

    Rates vary significantly based on experience, company size, and complexity of the assignment.

    CEO salary depends heavily on company size and whether the company is public or private. In general:

    • The CEO average salary (base) in the US is around $800,000–$900,000 per year for larger organizations, with typical ranges roughly between $730,000 and $920,000 in base salary
    • CEO pay can be significantly lower in smaller companies or startups, where compensation is more variable and often tied to growth
    • In smaller or privately held businesses, CEO salaries are typically much lower and may rely more on bonuses or profit-sharing

    In addition to base salary, CEO pay often includes bonuses and equity, which can substantially increase total compensation. In large public companies, total CEO compensation can reach millions or even tens of millions of dollars, largely driven by stock-based incentives.

    Interim and fractional CEOs are usually compensated through consulting-style arrangements rather than traditional salaries.

    • Interim CEOs may earn monthly fees (e.g., $10,000–$50,000+) or daily rates
    • Fractional CEOs often work part-time on retainers or hourly rates
    • Compensation depends on scope, company size, and urgency

    These roles are highly flexible and can be structured around specific projects, turnarounds, or growth initiatives.

    Yes. We regularly work with experienced professionals interested in fractional CFO jobs.

    If you are interested, please fill out the application form above. We may have opportunities in locations such as:

    Yes. We offer virtual and outsourced CFO services, and some of our opportunities may be fully remote.

    If you are looking for remote CFO jobs, we encourage you to submit your application through the form above so we can match you with relevant opportunities.

    In addition to CFO roles, we work with a range of executive positions, including:

    We focus on placing experienced leaders into flexible, high-impact executive roles.