Comparison
Advisory vs fractional (from the operator side)
The difference between selling your time as a fractional executive vs your judgement as an advisor.
For you, as an operator
| Dimension | Fractional retainer | Advisory equity |
|---|---|---|
| Effort | 6–12 days/mo per client | 1–4 hours/mo per client |
| Pay | NGN or USD cash | Equity, monthly vest over 24 months |
| Portfolio size | 2–3 clients max | 3–6 clients realistic |
Frequently asked questions
Cash from fractional retainers pays your bills; equity from advisory compounds. Aim for both — 70–80% cash income, 20–30% advisory equity.
Related in For talent
Role guide
Building a portfolio career
A structured way to design your portfolio of fractional retainers and advisory equity, and the risks to avoid in year one.
Guide
Rate benchmarks for fractional executives (Nigeria, NGN)
Day-rate and monthly-retainer benchmarks in NGN for fractional executives across the four main C-suite functions.
Pillar
How to become a fractional executive
How senior operators build a portfolio career — vetting, positioning, rates and legal setup — with AndAssociates.
Guide
How AndAssociates vetting and matching works
The steps AndAssociates runs to vet executives — seniority gate, experience tracker, scored matching — and what founders see.
Success story
Success story: fCFO who ran a Series A raise in 5 months
A short story of a fractional CFO engagement — five months from mandate to term sheet — for a Lagos-based fintech.