INTHEBLACK May 2026 - Magazine - Page 27
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Fractional finance roles are
rapidly moving into the
mainstream as organisations
seek flexible, high-level
expertise without committing
to full-time hires.
Senior finance professionals
are increasingly embracing
portfolio-style careers for
greater autonomy, income
diversity and more
meaningful work.
While fractional work offers
flexibility and variety, it
also comes with challenges
including income variability
and potentially reduced
workplace entitlements.
The rise of
fractional
finance
Freelancing, gig work and fractional leadership are
becoming mainstream career options for accountants
who want to step away from traditional work structures.
Words Susan Muldowney
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE
professionals may spend decades climbing
the corporate ladder and find that the view
from the top is not quite what they hoped.
Perhaps the job lacks the autonomy and
variety they crave. Maybe they love what they
do, but not how — and when — they do it.
There is now a way to provide meaningful,
high-level finance work beyond the
traditional full-time structure.
The world of fractional finance involves
a growing cohort of senior finance professionals
who have traded full-time permanent
employment for flexible roles such as virtual
CFO, freelance, contract or project work.
Such roles are fast becoming strategic fixtures
in a reshaped global economy.
Fractional roles are no longer fringe
options. Data from the Upwork Research
Institute shows almost 30 per cent
intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au 27
