What's included
- CFO leadership: 1-3 days per month strategic input, board attendance, fundraise support.
- Financial controller: management accounts, monthly close, variance analysis.
- Bookkeeping and AR/AP: day-to-day transaction recording, supplier payments, customer invoicing.
- Payroll: monthly run, RTI submissions, P60s.
- VAT and statutory accounts: filed by the same team or coordinated with your accountant.
- Software: Xero/QuickBooks/NetSuite optimised setup, plus reporting tools.
Outsourced vs fractional vs in-house
| In-house | Fractional | Outsourced | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | £60-180K/year + on-costs | £24-60K/year | £36-100K/year |
| Coverage | 5 days a week | 0.5-2 days/week | Whole function, on demand |
| Best for | £10M+ revenue, complex needs | Strategic gap, light operational need | Light/medium ops, want one supplier |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How is outsourced CFO different from a regular accounting firm?+
Accountancy firms typically focus on compliance — annual accounts, tax returns, VAT. Outsourced CFO services include the strategic and operational layer above compliance — management accounts, board reporting, cash forecasting, investor support.
Can I scale up or down?+
Yes — most outsourced CFO firms structure their service in tiers, so you can move up as you grow or down if you hire in-house. Notice periods are typically 1-3 months.
Book a CFO discovery call
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with the right specialist.
No fees, no obligation. We come back within 1 working day.