Part-Time Finance Director

Many UK businesses need a Finance Director but not a full‑time one. The business has outgrown its bookkeeper or accountant, the founders are fielding questions they shouldn’t have to answer, and the reporting isn’t giving the board the clarity it needs – but a full‑time FD at £100,000‑plus feels premature.

When Does a Business Need a Part‑Time Finance Director?

• Revenue is growing but profit visibility is unclear or inconsistent
• The founders or MD are spending too much time on financial questions
• Management accounts are late, unreliable, or don’t tell the right story
• You’re preparing for a fundraising round and need investor‑ready financial modelling
• A bank, investor, or acquirer is asking for financial information you can’t easily produce
• Cash flow forecasting is informal or done on a spreadsheet
• The finance team needs senior leadership but you can’t justify a full‑time hire above them
• You’re approaching a transaction – sale, acquisition, or MBO – and need FD‑level support through it
• PE or VC investors have asked for improved governance or reporting standards

What a Part‑Time Finance Director Will Do

• Own the financial strategy and communicate it to the board
• Produce management accounts, board packs, and investor reporting
• Design KPIs and improve management information

Cash Flow & Operational Finance

• Cash flow management, working capital control, and short‑term forecasting
• Budgeting, cost management, and profitability analysis
• Banking and lender relationship management
• Investor‑ready financial packs for debt and equity fundraising
• Financial due diligence for acquisitions and disposals
• MBO and exit preparation – financial modelling and data room
• PE and VC investor reporting and covenant compliance in line with BVCA guidance

Finance Team & Systems

• Finance team leadership, development, and recruitment support
• ERP and finance systems implementation or upgrade
• Financial controls, governance, and compliance
• Handover planning if transitioning to a permanent FD

Part‑Time vs Interim vs Permanent FD Overview

• Part‑Time FD: 1–3 days per week, long‑term arrangement, no fixed end date, strategic & operational focus.
• Interim FD: Full‑time, fixed‑term (3–12 months), covers a specific gap, intensive & situational, clear handover point.
• Permanent FD: Employed, full‑time (5 days per week), salary £100k–£160k+, 3–4 month search, full on‑costs apply.

Cost and Availability

Day rates for experienced part‑time Finance Directors typically range from £500 to £1,100 per day depending on level of experience, sector specialism and role requirements. On a two‑day‑per‑week basis, that equates to roughly £52,000–£115,000 per annum – compared to £100,000–£160,000 plus employer National Insurance, pension, and benefits for a full‑time equivalent. For businesses not yet ready for two days per week, one day per week starts from approximately £26,000–£57,000 per annum. The commitment can be scaled incrementally as the business grows – moving from one day to two, then three, without the cost or disruption of a new permanent search.

Sector Experience

• Private equity and venture capital backed businesses
• Family‑owned and owner‑managed companies
• SaaS and technology scale‑ups
• E‑commerce and direct‑to‑consumer businesses
• Professional and financial services firms
• Manufacturing, logistics and supply chain
• Healthcare, life sciences and regulated sectors
• Not‑for‑profit and education organisations

FCA‑Regulated Firms Requirement

FCA‑regulated businesses – including wealth managers, asset managers, payment firms, and consumer credit businesses – require Finance Directors who understand regulatory capital requirements, CASS rules and the financial governance standards the FCA expects. Our part‑time FDs with FCA‑regulated sector experience are familiar with the regulatory landscape and can interact with compliance teams and the regulator directly.