What is a Fractional CFO?

A Fractional CFO is a senior financial expert who works with your business on a flexible basis, providing high-level financial strategy, oversight and board-level input. They offer the benefits of a full-time CFO without the permanent cost.

What does a Fractional CFO do for a business?

They lead financial strategy, produce and interpret management accounts, build financial models, manage risk, guide funding decisions, support acquisitions or exits, and ensure your board has timely, accurate financial insight.

How does a Fractional CFO differ from a Full-Time CFO?

Fractional CFOs offer all the skills and strategic input of a full-time CFO but work with your business on a fractional basis — typically a few days per month. You get the benefit of experienced financial oversight, planning, and reporting without the overhead of a permanent hire.

Why would an SME need a Fractional CFO?

Many SMEs reach a stage where financial decisions become more complex — but aren’t yet ready for a full-time CFO. A Fractional CFO gives you the expertise to make informed decisions, plan ahead, secure funding, improve profitability, and avoid surprises. It's a cost-effective way to build a stronger, more resilient business. To dive deeper, why not read our blog Why every SME business should have a CFO.

What does a Fractional CFO do day-to-day?

Typical responsibilities include: producing and interpreting management accounts, building financial forecasts, managing cash flow, budgeting, advising on funding, supporting board meetings, training your finance team, and helping you make financially sound business decisions.

Can a Fractional CFO also act as a Non-Executive Director?

Yes. At Secantor, many of our CFOs also act as Non-Executive Directors (NEDs). Our CFOs are commercially experienced, strategically minded, and have strong corporate governance expertise — making them well placed to contribute at board level.

What size of business uses a Fractional CFO?

Fractional CFOs are ideal for SMEs with growing complexity but without the need for a full-time finance leader. At Secantor, we typically support businesses with £3m–£50m turnover, though some clients are smaller and others larger.

How is a CFO different from a Finance Director?

The roles often overlap, and the title is often used interchangeably. In very large organisations, a Finance Director typically focuses on internal financial control and reporting, while a CFO adds a layer of strategic foresight, often acting as a key advisor to the CEO or owner and supporting investor relationships. However, in most SMEs, one individual covers all aspects of strategic financial leadership, so the role is in effect the same.

How much does a Fractional CFO cost?

Fees vary depending on the time commitment and complexity. Our Fractional CFOs typically cost from £1,200 +VAT per month. We tailor each engagement to match your business stage, budget and goals. Contact us for a personalised proposal.

Do I still need an accountant if I hire a Fractional CFO?

Yes — because their roles are different. An accountant operates outside your business and focuses on compliance, tax, and reporting. A CFO works inside your business to provide strategic financial leadership. The two roles complement each other. Your CFO will often manage the relationship with your external accountant and ensure their advice is implemented effectively.

Is a Fractional CFO suitable for my business size?

We typically work with UK SMEs with £3m–£50m turnover and 30–250 employees — but we also support ambitious smaller businesses preparing for growth or investment, and we serve larger companies too. If you’re experiencing growing complexity in your finances or strategic decisions, a CFO will help bring clarity and control.

Can a Fractional CFO help with fundraising or investment?

Yes — a CFO plays a crucial role in preparing forecasts, engaging with investors or banks, presenting financial strategy, and structuring funding rounds. They bring credibility and clarity to the process.

How quickly can a Fractional CFO start?

We can often place a vetted, accredited CFO in your business within a matter of days. Every Secantor CFO is carefully selected and personally accredited to ensure they not only have the right technical expertise, but also the commercial experience and interpersonal skills to fit seamlessly into your team.

How do I hire a Fractional CFO?

The easiest way is to book a call with one of our experienced advisors. We’ll learn more about your business, explain how we work, and scope your requirements. Following a visit to meet you personally, we develop an in-depth understanding of your business needs, allowing us to match you with a carefully selected CFO based on your requirements, culture, and priorities. No obligation — just a conversation to see if we’re a good fit for you.

Fractional CFO Services for UK SMEs | Strategic Financial Leadership

As businesses grow, financial decisions become more commercially significant and increasingly important to long-term success.

Many SMEs reach a point where reliable financial reporting alone is no longer enough. Business owners and leadership teams need stronger strategic financial leadership to support growth, improve profitability, manage risk and make informed commercial decisions.

A Fractional CFO provides this expertise on a flexible, part-time basis.

At Secantor, our experienced Fractional CFOs work alongside business owners and management teams to help strengthen financial performance, improve forecasting, support funding requirements and build long-term business value.

You gain access to senior strategic financial leadership without the cost and commitment of employing a full-time Chief Financial Officer.

While the two roles often overlap within SMEs, a Fractional CFO and a Fractional Finance Director typically focus on different areas of financial leadership.

A Fractional Finance Director generally concentrates more heavily on financial control, reporting, finance operations, systems, processes and internal financial management.

A Fractional CFO usually operates at a more strategic level, helping shape the future direction of the business and supporting major commercial and financial decisions.

When Do Businesses Typically Appoint A Fractional CFO?

Many SMEs appoint a Fractional CFO when financial complexity begins to increase faster than internal capability. A CFO helps businesses strengthen financial visibility, improve strategic planning and support more informed commercial decision-making.

Rapid growth can place pressure on cash flow, systems, reporting and decision-making. A CFO helps ensure growth is properly planned, funded and controlled.

Whether seeking bank funding, refinancing or external investment, a CFO helps prepare robust forecasts, financial models and strategic plans.

As businesses scale, working capital management becomes more important. A CFO helps improve cash visibility, forecasting and financial control.

Major investments, acquisitions, expansion plans or restructuring decisions often require experienced commercial financial leadership.

Many SMEs have accurate accounts but lack forward-looking analysis and strategic financial guidance. A CFO helps turn financial information into stronger decision-making.

A CFO can help improve financial reporting, strengthen controls, improve profitability visibility and prepare the business for due diligence.

Many owner-managed businesses benefit from having an experienced financial leader who can challenge assumptions, support planning and provide independent commercial perspective.

What Does A Fractional CFO Look Like In Practice?

Many business owners understand the concept of a Fractional CFO but want to know what changes in practice once a CFO becomes involved.

In the early stages, this often includes improving financial visibility, strengthening forecasting, supporting strategic planning, improving cash management and helping leadership teams make more informed commercial decisions.

As the relationship develops, the CFO becomes an embedded part of the management team, helping the business navigate growth, funding, profitability improvement and long-term planning.

👉 Read our guide: What does a Fractional CFO do in the first 90 days?

Our Fractional CFO Services

Helping shape the long-term financial direction of the business and aligning financial strategy with commercial objectives.

Building robust forecasting models that improve visibility, support planning and help businesses prepare for different trading conditions.

Strong financial leadership is not just about producing reports. It is about helping management teams understand what the numbers mean and what actions should follow.

Our Fractional CFOs help businesses interpret financial performance, compare results against forecasts, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and support better commercial decision-making.

This is one of the key advantages of having an experienced CFO embedded within your business and working as part of your management team.

Improving control over cash generation, forecasting and funding requirements.

Supporting funding applications, refinancing discussions, banking relationships and investor communications.

Identifying opportunities to improve margins, pricing, operational efficiency and overall financial performance.

Supporting businesses experiencing financial, operational or commercial challenges and helping leadership teams restore stability and profitability.

Supporting expansion, acquisitions, new market entry and strategic investment decisions.

Leading important finance-related projects including acquisitions, business sales, finance system improvements, financial investigations and complex commercial analysis.

Helping business owners prepare for succession, management buy-outs, investment or eventual business sale.

Supporting, mentoring and strengthening internal finance teams where required.

Experienced SME Commercial Leaders

Our CFOs have significant experience supporting growing SMEs across a wide range of sectors.

Practical, Hands-On Support

We focus on practical commercial improvement, not theoretical consultancy.

Part Of Your Leadership Team

We work closely with owners and management teams, becoming embedded within the business and supporting day-to-day decision-making.

Personally Accredited CFOs

Our CFOs are personally accredited by Secantor Directors and selected for their blend of technical expertise, commercial judgement and interpersonal skills.

Flexible And Cost Effective

You gain access to highly experienced strategic financial leadership without the cost of employing a full-time CFO.

Broader Board-Level Expertise

Where required, we can also provide access to experienced Finance Directors, Non-Executive Directors and Operations Directors.

Free Business Review

Every business is different, which is why we begin by understanding your business, your objectives and the challenges you are facing.

Our free business review gives you the opportunity to meet experienced senior advisors, discuss your business in confidence and gain independent commercial and financial insight.

Typically, two members of our team will visit your business to learn more about your operations, financial position and growth plans. Following this discussion, we will provide initial observations and recommendations, while also identifying the most appropriate support for your business.

This process allows you to experience how we work and provides valuable external perspective, even before any engagement begins.

We work closely with business owners and leadership teams, becoming a trusted part of the management team rather than an external adviser operating at a distance.

Many of our client relationships span several years, supporting businesses through growth, funding, operational improvement and eventual exit.

You can explore our case studies and client feedback to learn more about the impact our team has delivered across a wide range of SME businesses.

“Secantor has transformed a struggling company, but full of good people, into a very, very profitable company full of very, very motivated, happy, well-rewarded people and the future looks extremely bright”

Chairman Water Engineering Business

“Secantor has made a world of difference to our business - we are now in control. It's been a transformation within the business. It's a very cost-effective way for us to have high-level management and strategic help”

Helen Pattinson

Founder & MD Montezuma's Chocolates

“Secantor makes us make decisions. What we are getting is a whole world of advice. The cost has paid for itself 100 times over. ”

Richard Atherton

Founder & MD Juno Records

“Thank you so much for all your work for us. It has certainly been challenging and you always presented a calm front, which helped, along with brilliant work. Secantor provided the senior business & financial support my fellow director & I needed at a very critical time for our company. I cannot recommend the incredible service we received highly enough”

Owner & CEO

Global Recruitment Business

“An impact above all expectations. It is hard for me to express my gratitude for such a clear-sighted plan, so well implemented.”

Chairman 5th Generation Family Business

A huge thank you for introducing Secantor. Obviously you know how dismissive and sceptical I can be of professionals…… However, I found Secantor to be very approachable with excellent communication. Thank you, I’ve been impressed. From my perspective, I was immediately comfortable with their approach and the time they took to learn more about our business.

Steve Wood

MD Roy Wood Transits

“Previously I only saw the cost of administrators but the results of the improvements led by Secantor have completely changed my mind. I now see that each person's contribution creates the opportunity to make more profit”

MD Engineering Services Business

“Secantor has been instrumental in helping us secure our future, bringing great insight, experience and expertise to the management team. Our Secantor Executive has integrated perfectly into our senior team and with a fresh approach and external perspective has helped us transform the business.”

Mark

MD Manufacturing Business

"We have worked with Secantor for over 7 years, having initially appointed them to audit our business performance. Such was the beneficial input, we increased the scope of their appointment to provide MD coaching, development of financial reporting models, Non-Executive Director role and general independent business advice across a range of matters. We thoroughly enjoy working with the Secantor team who continue to provide a highly professional and bespoke service, allowing us to develop our business strategies, our teams, and processes. Without their invaluable advice and knowledge, I doubt the business would have made such significant gains."

Simon Lewis

Managing Director - Specialist Construction Business

Frequently Asked Questions: Fractional CFOs

A Fractional CFO provides senior strategic financial leadership to a business on a flexible, part-time basis. They help businesses improve forecasting, strengthen cash flow management, support funding requirements and make more informed commercial decisions without the cost of employing a full-time Chief Financial Officer.

Fractional CFOs are ideal for SMEs experiencing increasing financial complexity but without the requirement for a full-time CFO. At Secantor, we typically support businesses with £3m–£50m turnover, although we also work with ambitious smaller businesses and larger organisations requiring flexible strategic financial leadership.

While the roles often overlap within SMEs, a Fractional Finance Director typically focuses more heavily on financial control, reporting, finance operations and internal financial management.

A Fractional CFO generally operates at a more strategic level, supporting long-term planning, funding, investment, growth strategy, acquisitions and major commercial decisions.

In many SMEs, one experienced financial leader may cover both operational and strategic responsibilities depending on the needs and scale of the business.

Yes. The roles are complementary but different.

An accountant usually operates outside your business and focuses on compliance, tax and statutory reporting. A CFO works within your business to provide strategic financial leadership, commercial insight and forward-looking planning.

Your CFO will often work closely with your accountant and help ensure financial advice is implemented effectively within the business.

This varies depending on the needs of the business. Some SMEs require support for one or two days per month, while others may require several days per week during periods of growth, investment, change or transformation.

Fractional CFO support is designed to be flexible and tailored to the specific requirements of each business.

Yes. Fractional CFOs frequently support businesses with bank funding, refinancing, investor presentations, financial modelling, due diligence preparation and investment discussions.

A CFO helps provide financial clarity, strategic insight and commercial credibility throughout the funding or investment process.

Yes. A CFO can help improve financial reporting, strengthen controls, improve profitability visibility and support the strategic preparation required before a sale, acquisition or investment process.

This often includes improving forecasting, producing reliable management information, supporting due diligence preparation and helping maximise business value.

Yes. Many SMEs benefit significantly from strategic financial leadership but do not require a full-time CFO.

A Fractional CFO provides access to experienced commercial and financial expertise in a flexible and cost-effective way, allowing growing businesses to strengthen decision-making without the overhead of a permanent executive hire.

We can often introduce an experienced Fractional CFO within days, depending on the requirements of the business and the level of support required.

Every Secantor CFO is carefully selected to ensure they not only have the right technical expertise, but also the commercial experience and interpersonal skills to integrate effectively within your business.

Our CFOs are personally accredited by Secantor Directors and selected for their blend of technical expertise, commercial judgement and interpersonal skills.

Our team have held senior leadership positions within both larger corporates and growing SMEs, giving them practical experience of the challenges businesses face at different stages of growth.

Every engagement is also supported by Secantor oversight to help ensure consistently high standards and strong commercial outcomes.

Costs vary depending on the complexity of the business, the level of support required and the time commitment involved.

Because Fractional CFO support is flexible, businesses gain access to highly experienced strategic financial leadership without the cost of employing a full-time CFO.

We tailor every engagement to the specific needs of the business and would be happy to discuss an appropriate structure following an initial conversation.

We begin by understanding your business, objectives and current challenges before recommending the most appropriate level of support.

Following an initial discussion and meeting, we develop a detailed understanding of your business and carefully match you with a CFO whose experience, approach and personality fit your business needs and culture.

Our approach is relationship-led, practical and flexible, with support tailored specifically to your business requirements.

Other Terms Often Used For Fractional CFO Services

Businesses often use different terminology when searching for flexible senior financial leadership.

A Fractional CFO may also be referred to as a:

Commercial CFO
Freelance CFO
Independent CFO
Outsourced CFO
Part-Time CFO
Portfolio CFO
Virtual CFO

While there can be subtle differences between these terms depending on the context and level of involvement required, they generally describe experienced CFOs providing flexible strategic financial leadership without the commitment of employing a full-time CFO.

At Secantor, we tailor our support to the specific needs of each business, whether that involves ongoing strategic leadership, support during periods of growth and change, or helping businesses strengthen financial visibility, forecasting and commercial decision-making.

Speak To Secantor About Fractional CFO Support

If your business would benefit from stronger strategic financial leadership, improved forecasting, better commercial insight or support with growth and funding, we would be delighted to speak with you.

Our experienced Fractional CFOs work with SMEs across the UK, helping businesses strengthen financial performance, improve decision-making and build long-term value.

To discuss how we can support your business, please contact Secantor Business Services.

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Our Services

We help you make strategic decisions

Secantor provides expert financial and management support to SME owners and directors. Our commercially experienced team covers the following roles.

Non-Executive Director

Strategic support and experience to guide you as you make decisions and build value in your business. A NED acts as a sounding board for your ideas, improves business performance, holds you and your team to account and helps you achieve a successful exit.

✓ Strategic business planning

✓ Support strategic decision-making

✓ Set business goals and objectives

✓ Rejuvenate struggling businesses

✓ Manage growth effectively

✓ Implement best practice

✓ Sounding board for your ideas

✓ Set and communicate vision

✓ Hold you & your team to account

✓ Build an effective management team

Learn More

Finance Director

Expert financial leadership from a commercially experienced, qualified accountant. An FD will create financial plans, report your monthly performance against budget and interpret the figures to help you make sound decisions & improve profitability.

✓ Expert financial advice

✓ Interpret financial results a support decisions

✓ Develop & oversee your finance team

✓ Improve profitability & control costs

✓ Prepare management accounts

✓ Create 3-5 year financial plan

✓ Budget setting

✓ Source appropriate funding

✓ Cashflow forecasting & management

✓ Prepare reports & commentaries for your bank

Learn More

Operations Director

Strategic operational leadership to transform your people and business processes to improve efficiency and profitability. An Operations Director helps you build a strong management team, delegate operational actions and improve business performance.

✓ Develop strength in your management team

✓ Establish key performance indicators (KPIs)

✓ Hold people accountable to achieve results

✓ Process and quality improvement

✓ Help you delegate effectively

✓ Create clear job descriptions

✓ Identify and recruit talent

✓ Implement robust operational systems

✓ Establish clear goals and expectations

✓ Enable your team to achieve excellence

Learn More

Fractional CFO Services for UK SMEs

What Is A Fractional CFO?

What Does A Fractional CFO Do?

Fractional CFO vs Fractional Finance Director

When Do Businesses Typically Appoint A Fractional CFO?

Growth Is Accelerating

Funding Or Investment Is Required

Cash Flow Is Becoming Increasingly Complex

Strategic Decisions Carry Greater Financial Risk

The Leadership Team Needs Better Financial Insight

The Business Is Preparing For Sale Or Investment

The Owner Wants Greater Strategic Support

Helping Businesses Plan Ahead With Greater Confidence

What Does A Fractional CFO Look Like In Practice?

“Secantor provided the senior business & financial support my fellow director & I needed at a very critical time for our company. I cannot recommend the incredible service we received highly enough”

Our Fractional CFO Services

Strategic Financial Leadership

Forecasting And Scenario Planning

Financial Reporting And Commercial Insight

Cash Flow And Working Capital Management

Funding And Banking Support

Profitability Improvement

Business Performance Improvement And Turnaround

Growth Planning

Strategic Finance Projects

Exit And Succession Planning

Finance Team Leadership

Flexible Support Built Around Your Business

Why Choose Secantor?

Experienced SME Commercial Leaders

Practical, Hands-On Support

Part Of Your Leadership Team

Personally Accredited CFOs

Flexible And Cost Effective

Broader Board-Level Expertise

Free Business Review

Long-Term Relationships Built On Trust

What Our Clients Say

Chairman Water Engineering Business

Helen Pattinson

Richard Atherton

Owner & CEO

Chairman 5th Generation Family Business

Steve Wood

MD Engineering Services Business

Mark

Simon Lewis

Frequently Asked Questions: Fractional CFOs

Other Terms Often Used For Fractional CFO Services

Speak To Secantor About Fractional CFO Support

Talk To Paul About Your Business Goals

Paul Gibbins

Want to Boost Your Business Profits?

Ways Secantor Will Help You

Develop & Implement A Successful Plan

Optimise Your Finances

Develop A Strong Accountable Team

Build Value In Your Business

Improve Operational Efficiency

Exit Your Business Successfully

Read Our Latest Case Studies

Achieving the Dream Business Exit

The Value of an Interim Finance Director

Resolving Boardroom Conflict

What Does It Take to Build a Successful SME?

“Secantor has made a world of difference - we are now in control. It's a very cost effective way for us to have high level management and strategic help”

Read Our Latest Blog Posts

When Does An SME Need A CFO?

Why Developing Your Team Is Critical for SME Growth, Performance and Business Value

How to Build Business Value Buyers Truly Pay For

Our Services

We help you make strategic decisions

Non-Executive Director

Finance Director

Operations Director

Free Business Review