That depends on the scope of the project or engagement as well as the length of time necessary to work an engagement.  For some clients a retainer could be less expensive and easier to budget.  The number of days per month for a retainer dictates the amount of the contract.  The longer the retainer, the lower the overall hourly rate up to a certain point.  Manny retainers will be for three of four days per month.  Retainers are calculated on number of hours needed but are converted to days thus giving the client a cost break as most CFO’s work in well in excess of eight hours a day.  Some clients will use the consulting CFO heavily at first to get their “house in order” and then put the consultant on retainer.

KBG hourly rates are determined by location and scope of the job.  Where KBG has most of their clients is in the High Desert and Inland Empire of Southern California where rates are less than L.A. or Orange Counties.  There needs to be some sensitivity to demographics. 

You will find that the larger CFO consulting firms charge from $200 to $300 per hour in mid-sized markets, which for some projects and large clients is not a bad rate.  KELLEY BUSINESS GROUP rates can be about half of the larger firms’ fees in the range of about $100 per hour to $130 per hour with most of the charges nearer the $100 per hour rate.