Part-Time Finance Director Services in London for SMEs

Strategic Financial Leadership Without the Full-Time Cost

Work with Experienced, Commercially Focused FDs from Secantor

 
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Finance Director Services in London: Empowering SMEs with Strategic Financial Leadership

Tower Bridge London

Secantor offers specialised Finance Director (FD) services designed to provide SMEs with the strategic financial leadership necessary for growth and stability. Our expert and commercially experienced team brings board-level financial expertise and leadership to SME businesses across London and the South East, including Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey.

Why Every SME Needs a Finance Director

Effective financial management is crucial for business success. While many SMEs rely on accountants for compliance, a Finance Director offers strategic insight that goes beyond number-crunching. An FD provides:

  • Strategic Financial Planning – Aligning financial goals with business objectives.
  • Cash Flow Management – Ensuring liquidity for operations and growth.
  • Risk Assessment – Identifying and mitigating financial risks.
  • Profitability Analysis – Enhancing margins and reducing unnecessary costs.

By integrating into your management team, an FD ensures that financial decisions are informed, timely, and aligned with your business strategy. Read our blog Why every SME business should have a Finance Director to find out more.

Our FD Services in London

Part-Time Finance Director

Ideal for SMEs that require high-level financial expertise without the commitment of a full-time hire. Our Part-Time Finance Directors work on a part-time basis, providing:

  • Customised financial strategies
  • Budgeting and forecasting
  • Financial reporting and analysis
  • Team mentoring and development

This flexible approach ensures you receive expert guidance tailored to your business needs.

Interim Finance Director

When facing transitions such as mergers, acquisitions, or leadership gaps, our Interim Finance Directors step in to provide stability and continuity. They offer:

  • Immediate leadership during critical periods
  • Project-specific financial management
  • Support in restructuring and change management
  • Expertise in financial systems implementation

Our Interim Finance Directors ensure that your financial operations remain robust during times of change.

Whether you're based in Central London or the surrounding commuter belt, our experts bring national experience with local understanding. We've helped over 1,000 UK SMEs improve profitability, manage risk, and prepare for exit or growth.

Why London-Based SMEs Choose Secantor for FD Services

Business strategy meeting

With over two decades of experience, Secantor has been a trusted partner for SMEs across London. Our team comprises seasoned professionals who bring:

  • Industry Expertise – Diverse experience across sectors
  • Tailored Solutions – Strategies customised to your business
  • Proven Track Record – A history of driving growth and profitability
  • Collaborative Approach – Working alongside your team for seamless integration

Our 5-Point Guarantee to you

✅ Expert Advice You Can Rely On

You’ll work with a proven business professional — fully qualified, commercially experienced, and focused on driving profit and growth.

✅ A Trusted Working Relationship

We match you with the right expert — someone who fits your team and earns your trust as a long-term partner, not just a service provider.

✅ Tailored Support for Your Business

We take time to understand your goals, challenges, and industry — then deliver practical advice that fits your business.

✅ Dependable, Consistent Delivery

We do what we say we’ll do — on time, every time. You can count on us to follow through and stay focused on results.

✅ Clear, Proactive Communication

We keep you informed, respond quickly, and talk in plain English. You’ll never be left chasing updates or wondering what’s happening.

“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”

CEO £30m Turnover Recruitment Company

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Why Use a Part-Time Finance Director?

Hiring a full-time Finance Director (FD) can be costly for many small to medium-sized businesses — but that doesn’t mean you should go without strategic financial leadership. With a part-time Finance Director , you gain access to expert financial guidance exactly when you need it, without the overhead of a full-time hire. Whether it’s one day per month or more, you only pay for the time you use — with the flexibility to call on your FD for advice whenever needed. At Secantor, our FDs bring cross-sector experience and commercial insight gained from supporting hundreds of UK SMEs. You benefit from best practices, fresh thinking, and a broader strategic perspective to support growth, improve profitability, and manage risk.

What Does a Part-Time Finance Director Do?

At Secantor, our Part-Time Finance Directors provide expert financial leadership and support for UK SMEs—without the overhead of a full-time hire. We take responsibility for every aspect of your business finance, from day-to-day processes to long-term strategy, helping you build a stronger, more profitable company.

Whether you're preparing for growth, managing cashflow, or planning for exit, your Secantor FD will embed within your team, providing practical, board-level financial expertise tailored to your needs. Our services typically include:

  • Designing and building an effective in-house finance function
  • Recruiting, training and mentoring finance staff
  • Providing hands-on support and technical financial oversight
  • Developing robust 3–5 year Financial Forecast Models including Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cashflow projections
  • Producing and interpreting monthly management accounts so you can track performance against plan
  • Helping you make informed decisions based on financial performance and business drivers
  • Undertaking profitability analysis by product, customer, region, or salesperson
  • Working with you to implement clear, actionable plans that improve profit and build value
  • Identifying and helping secure funding through banks or alternative finance, with supporting forecasts
  • Creating short and long-term cashflow forecasts to maintain control and prevent surprises
  • Improving debtor and creditor management to strengthen working capital
  • Monitoring expenditure and driving cost-saving initiatives
  • Leading business turnaround and recovery programmes
  • Delivering best-practice financial governance to reduce risk and increase confidence
  • Managing complex financial projects—from acquisitions and system migrations to financial investigations
  • Providing full-time or near full-time interim Finance Director cover during recruitment, sickness, or maternity leave

In short, we don’t just advise from the outside. Your Secantor FD becomes an integral part of your senior team—focused on driving growth, profitability, and long-term value.

Ready to Elevate Your Financial Strategy?

Discover how our Finance Director Services can transform your business. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards financial excellence.

Frequently Asked Questions: Part-Time Finance Directors

A part-time Finance Director (FD) provides your business with senior financial leadership on a flexible basis — giving you access to expert support without the cost of a full-time hire. They work alongside your leadership team to manage your finances, support strategic decisions, improve cash flow, and drive growth.

Part-time FDs offer all the skills and strategic input of a full-time FD 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.

Many SMEs reach a stage where financial decisions become more complex — but aren’t yet ready for a full-time FD. A part-time FD 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 Finance Director

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. Learn more about our part-time FD services.

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

The cost depends on the scope and frequency of support your business needs, but prices typically start at £1,200 +VAT per month. At Secantor, we tailor every engagement. Our FDs typically work with clients from 1 to 6 days per month. Contact us for a no-obligation discussion to get a proposal aligned to your business needs and budget.

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

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 businesses too. If you’re experiencing growing complexity in your finances or strategic decisions , a part-time FD can help bring clarity and control.

We can often place a vetted, accredited Finance Director in your business within a matter of days. Every Secantor FD 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.

Unlike many providers, we don’t just offer FDs or NEDs — we deliver the complete boardroom package. Our Finance Directors are also capable Non-Executive Directors, and every member of our team is personally accredited by Secantor. We don’t follow a rigid model — we match the right expert to your business and they tailor their approach to suit your needs.

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 FD based on your requirements, culture, and priorities. No obligation — just a conversation to see if we’re a good fit for you.

Not quite found the answer you need?    Contact our team – we’ll get back to you personally.

Interested in how senior support could help in other areas too? Learn more about our Non-Executive Directors and Outsourced Operations Directors .

Unlock the potential in your business

Secantor helps you get on top of your business rather than being stuck in it allowing you to direct rather than do. We offer a broad range of Board Level Executive Management Services that are tailored to your needs.

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Ways Secantor Will Help You With Board Level Expertise

 

Develop & Implement a Successful Plan

Optimise Your Finances

Develop a Strong Accountable Team

Build Value in Your Business

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“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”


Helen Pattinson, Co-Founder Montezumas Chocolates


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