Do You Really Need a Full-Time Finance Director?
Why a Fractional Director might make more sense
There comes a point for many growing businesses when the numbers start to matter more. Bookkeeping is ticking over, the accountant handles year-end, but you’re making bigger decisions—and you’re doing it without proper financial guidance.
You could hire a full-time Finance Director, but in most cases, that’s overkill. A better option? Bring in a fractional FD.
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What’s a Fractional FD?
A fractional (or part-time) FD gives you senior-level financial expertise without the full-time cost. You get someone who understands your business, rolls their sleeves up, and helps you make better decisions—commercially and financially.
It’s not about replacing your accountant or bookkeeper. It’s about plugging the strategic gap that most SMEs have between compliance and real financial insight.
Why Not Just Hire Full-Time?
A full-time FD often comes with a six-figure price tag—and in many SMEs, the role isn’t genuinely full-time. That leaves you either underutilising a costly hire, or settling for someone more junior who can’t provide the guidance you really need.
With a fractional FD, you get focused, high-impact input—typically for a few days a month. That means you only pay for what you need, but still get the benefit of experienced input at board level.
What Kind of Work Do I Do as a Fractional FD?
Every business is different, but here are the sorts of things I typically help with:
Building or challenging your forecasts and budgets
Getting a grip on cash flow—past, present, and projected
Improving your reporting so you can see what’s actually happening
Preparing for funding, whether that’s a loan, investment, or asset finance
Finding ways to improve margins or reduce unnecessary spend
Supporting the owner/MD in making more informed decisions
In short: I help turn your numbers into something useful.
When’s the Right Time to Bring One In?
Here are a few common signs:
You’re making big decisions—hiring, expanding, investing—but feel like you're flying blind
You want better visibility, but don’t have time to sort it yourself
Your accountant does a decent job on compliance, but they’re not helping drive the business
You need help with forecasting, cash flow planning, or reporting—but don’t need someone five days a week
You’re serious about growth and want a bit more structure behind it
What This Means for a £2.5m Turnover Business
For a £2.5m turnover business with 40% gross margin, a full-time FD must drive a 13.5% revenue increase just to cover their cost. A fractional FD only needs a 2.4% uplift. It’s a far more cost-effective way to get senior financial input without overextending the business.
Final Thought
A fractional FD is a practical, flexible way to strengthen your finance function. No big overhead, no long-term tie-in—just the right level of support, when you need it.
If that sounds useful, I’d be happy to have a no-obligation chat to see whether it’s the right fit.
