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Experienced Life Sciences CFOs, Engaged on Your Terms
BiotechExec places experienced life sciences CFOs as advisors, consultants, fractional or interim finance leaders, or permanent hires through executive search. Biotech finance is its own discipline: long runways, grant funding, milestone-based capital and investors who scrutinize the numbers. Our CFOs have done this work in life sciences before, and come from a vetted network of 600+ senior executives.
The engagement is flexible. The experience is the same.
Last updated November 4, 2026
Ways to engage a CFO
| Model | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| CFO advisor | A seasoned CFO reviews your numbers and guides the CEO as needed, usually billed hourly. |
| Consulting project | A defined deliverable, such as a financial model, audit readiness review or grant reporting setup. |
| Fractional or interim CFO | A CFO leads the finance function on a recurring commitment or full time for a period, on an hourly or monthly basis. |
| Permanent CFO | A focused executive search through our network and trusted referrals. |
When to bring in an experienced CFO
- You are preparing a seed or Series A and need a credible financial model and data room.
- The company is founder-led or scientist-led, and investors are questioning financial credibility.
- You hold SBIR, NIH or other grants and need compliant reporting.
- Burn is rising and you need forecasting and controls.
- You are preparing for an audit, a licensing or M&A transaction, or going public.
What a life sciences CFO does for you
- Budgeting, forecasting and FP&A, including long-range runway planning.
- Financial reporting, cash flow management and internal controls.
- Financial models, KPIs, and board and investor reporting, including board preparation.
- Data room management and the financial side of diligence.
- Fundraising financial strategy: valuation, use of proceeds and pitch support.
- Audit, tax and grant reporting.
- Upgrading the bookkeeping and accounting function, including systems migration and oversight of accounting staff.
- Support for licensing arrangements and for commercialization readiness, such as pricing and sales compensation design.
How this compares with an accounting firm, a search firm or a consulting firm
An outsourced accounting firm keeps the books. A BiotechExec CFO is an executive who has served as a life sciences CFO, so you get strategy, investor credibility and board-level judgment in addition to the numbers. Compared with a retained search, which is built for a permanent hire and often takes months, a contract CFO can start quickly and convert to permanent later.
Explore the Life Sciences Executives hub and the How we compare guide.
FAQ
Are your CFOs as experienced as a full-time CFO?
Yes. They are seasoned finance executives who have served as CFOs in life sciences. The engagement is flexible, but the experience is the same you would expect from a permanent hire.
How much time does a contract CFO need?
It depends on the stage and the scope. Early-stage companies often need a few days a month, while a company in a financing or audit may need more for a period. The hours and rate are set in your Service Order and can change as needs change.
Can the CFO prepare us for fundraising?
Yes. They build the financial model, support the pitch and use of proceeds, manage the data room and handle diligence questions.
Do you provide bookkeeping or tax filing?
Our CFOs lead the finance function and can direct and upgrade bookkeeping and accounting. They are executives, not a replacement for your outside accountants or auditors.
Can the CFO become full-time?
Yes, when the company is ready. Conversion terms are agreed in writing, and discovery fees already paid are credited.
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