Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and governance for a growing design business, working one day a week.
- Company: Established, values-led company focused on sustainability and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, on-site lunch, and parking provided.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a pivotal role with autonomy and influence.
- Qualifications: Experience at FD level in SMEs, strong finance skills, and independent mindset.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and support growth from 5m to 10m turnover.
Location: Sandbach, Cheshire (on-site)
Day Rate: 600 (PAYE or LTD)
Start Date: From 1 April 2026 (earlier start considered)
We are acting as an introductory agent on behalf of a long-established, privately owned business operating within the design sector. With a current headcount of circa 53 employees and 2025 turnover of 6.05m, the business has a clear strategic ambition to scale sustainably to 7.m+ in 2026 supported by strong EBITDA performance. The business is values-led, environmentally conscious and focused on long-term sustainability, both commercially and operationally.
This is a board-facing, hands-on Finance Director role, operating on a one-day-per-week basis, designed to bring objectivity, challenge and commercial rigour into the leadership team. You will act as a trusted right-hand advisor to the Managing Director and shareholders, taking ownership of the finance function while providing strategic oversight and governance. This role carries real influence and accountability, rather than being purely advisory in nature.
Key Responsibilities
- Take full ownership of management accounts, reporting accuracy and financial discipline
- Strengthen financial governance, controls and accountability at board and shareholder level
- Act as a commercial sounding board, constructively challenging decisions and assumptions
- Provide clarity and discipline around cash management, spend and shareholder drawings
- Support the existing finance team (Accounts Manager plus two team members)
- Improve data quality, insight and visibility to enable informed decision-making
- Lead budgeting, forecasting and performance tracking
- Support growth from 5m to 10m turnover, ensuring financial scalability
- Advise on systems strategy (current Sage 50; ERP considerations from 2027 onwards)
- Protect and enhance long-term enterprise value
The Ideal Candidate
This role will suit an experienced Finance Director or Fractional FD who thrives in SME, owner-managed environments and is comfortable operating with autonomy and authority.
You are likely to bring:
- Proven experience at FD / Board level, ideally within SMEs (5m-20m turnover)
- A track record of supporting growth, governance and commercial decision-making
- The confidence to ask difficult questions and challenge constructively
- A pragmatic, independent mindset with no emotional attachment to outcomes
- Strong technical and commercial finance capability
- Experience working with existing finance teams and external advisors
- Exposure to system scalability and infrastructure planning
- Formal qualifications (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) are advantageous but not essential if supported by demonstrable FD-level experience.
Working Pattern & Package
Commitment: 1 day per week
Day Rate: 600
Engagement: PAYE or LTD
Location: Sandbach, Cheshire (on-site)
Lunch provided on working day
On-site parking available
Why Consider This Role?
This is a high-impact, low-days commitment opportunity to partner with a stable, growing business at a pivotal stage of its journey. The board is open to challenge, values independent thinking and is actively seeking a finance leader who will take ownership rather than simply report numbers.
Fractional Finance Director (1 Day per Week) in Sandbach employer: Universal Business Team
Contact Detail:
Universal Business Team Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Fractional Finance Director (1 Day per Week) in Sandbach
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the finance sector! Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream role.
✨Ace the Interview
When you get that interview, make sure you’re prepared to showcase your experience and how it aligns with the company’s goals. We recommend practising common interview questions and having a few examples ready that demonstrate your ability to challenge decisions and provide strategic oversight. Confidence is key!
✨Show Your Value
During discussions, focus on how you can add value to the business. Talk about your past successes in driving growth and improving financial governance. We want to see you highlight your unique skills and how they can help the company scale sustainably. Make them see you as an essential part of their future!
✨Follow Up
After your interview, don’t forget to send a follow-up email thanking them for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reiterate your interest in the role and remind them of your key strengths. We believe this small gesture can leave a lasting impression and keep you top of mind as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Fractional Finance Director (1 Day per Week) in Sandbach
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Finance Director role. Highlight your experience in SMEs and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to support growth and governance.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've challenged decisions and provided strategic oversight in previous positions, showing us your hands-on approach.
Showcase Your Financial Acumen: In your application, emphasise your technical finance skills and experience with management accounts. We want to see how you’ve improved financial governance and accountability in past roles, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to make a real impact.
How to prepare for a job interview at Universal Business Team
✨Know the Business Inside Out
Before your interview, take the time to research the company thoroughly. Understand their values, recent achievements, and future goals. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their growth.
✨Prepare for Board-Level Discussions
Since this role is board-facing, be ready to discuss strategic financial decisions and governance. Think about how you can challenge assumptions constructively and provide insights based on your experience. Prepare examples from your past roles where you've successfully influenced decision-making.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Highlight your technical finance capabilities, especially in areas like budgeting, forecasting, and cash management. Be prepared to discuss specific tools or systems you've used, such as Sage 50, and how they can be leveraged for scalability in the business.
✨Demonstrate Your Independent Mindset
This role requires a pragmatic approach with the confidence to ask tough questions. During the interview, share instances where you've had to challenge the status quo or make difficult decisions without emotional attachment. This will illustrate your suitability for a hands-on Finance Director role.
