Resources · Pricing Benchmarks
How much does an outsourced CCO cost?
Most firms get a proposal with no hour envelope and no way to compare it. These are the 2026 bands we see in the market, what moves them, and the questions that expose an underscoped quote.
Short answer: $1,500–$6,000 per month plus a one-time program build of $3,000–$20,000, driven by registration type, headcount, jurisdictions, and whether the consultant is the named CCO.
Cory Roberson
Founder & Principal Consultant, FIN Group
2026 price bands by firm type
State-registered / ERA
- Ongoing
- $1,500 – $2,500/mo
- Program build
- $3,000 – $7,500 one-time
- Typical scope
- 1–2 jurisdictions, small access-person population, advisory-support model or named CCO for simple books.
SEC-registered RIA
- Ongoing
- $2,000 – $4,000/mo
- Program build
- $7,500 – $15,000 one-time
- Typical scope
- Rule 206(4)-7 annual review, ADV amendments, marketing review, PST reviews, testing cycle.
Private fund / multi-entity
- Ongoing
- $3,000 – $6,000/mo
- Program build
- $10,000 – $20,000 one-time
- Typical scope
- Form PF and Form D, side letters, valuation and expense allocation controls, LP diligence responses.
Broker-dealer
- Ongoing
- $3,500 – $6,000+/mo
- Program build
- $10,000 – $20,000 one-time
- Typical scope
- Rule 3120/3130 reports, Rule 3310 AML independent testing, branch and correspondence supervision.
Ranges reflect engagements we scope and quote; they are benchmarks, not a quote. Our published tiers are on the pricing page.
Questions that expose an underscoped quote
- How many hours per year does this fee cover, and what is the overage rate?
- Is the annual review under Rule 206(4)-7 included, or billed separately?
- How many marketing pieces and personal-trading reviews are included per period?
- Is technology access included, or is the portal a separate subscription?
- Who is named as CCO, and who covers during absence or turnover?
- What happens in an exam — is response support inside the fee or a project?
For how a fully outsourced back office is staffed and priced behind the scenes, see the RegReview back-office model — the delivery layer our consultants run on.
Frequently asked
How much does an outsourced CCO cost?
For a small to mid-size SEC- or state-registered adviser, fractional/outsourced CCO engagements generally run $1,500–$6,000 per month, plus a one-time onboarding or program build fee of roughly $3,000–$20,000 depending on registration type and complexity. Broker-dealers and private fund managers sit at the higher end because of FINRA Rule 3120/3130 testing, AML independent testing under Rule 3310, and Form PF or Form D obligations. A named CCO with signature responsibility costs more than advisory-only support.
What drives the price up or down?
Headcount and access persons, number of registered jurisdictions, whether the firm manages private funds, custody and solicitor arrangements, marketing volume (each piece needs review), whether the engagement includes a mock exam or annual review, and whether the consultant is named as CCO versus supporting an internal CCO.
Is outsourcing a CCO cheaper than hiring one?
Typically yes below roughly $1B AUM. A full-time compliance officer costs $120,000–$220,000 in salary plus benefits, technology, and training. A fractional engagement at $2,000–$4,000 per month with platform access included lands at $24,000–$48,000 per year — with a team behind it instead of a single point of failure.
Can an outsourced CCO serve as the named CCO on Form ADV?
Yes, and it is common — but the SEC expects that person to have real authority, firm access, and enough time budgeted to supervise. Ask any provider for the hour envelope, the escalation path, and who covers when the primary is unavailable. If the scope is not written in hours, the arrangement is hard to defend in an exam.
What should be included at a minimum?
An annual compliance review under Rule 206(4)-7, a maintained compliance calendar, Form ADV amendments and state renewals, Code of Ethics and personal securities trading reviews, marketing review, a risk assessment, staff training with attestations, and retained evidence of all of it. Technology access should be included rather than billed as a surprise line item.
Get a scoped number, not a range
Tell us your registration type, headcount, and jurisdictions and we will quote a tier with a written hour envelope and platform seats included.