Freelance CFO Services

Experienced Chief Financial Officers, Available on a Flexible, Part-Time Basis

BOOK A CALL WITH AN EXPERT

Freelance CFO Services

If you are searching for a Freelance CFO, you are almost certainly looking for what Secantor calls a Fractional CFO: an experienced Chief Financial Officer who works with your business on an ongoing, part-time basis rather than as a full-time employee. Some business owners use the term Freelance, others say fractional, part-time or virtual. They all describe the same solution: senior financial leadership without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire.

A Freelance CFO typically works with your business for a set number of days each month, joining your leadership team to provide strategic financial direction, oversee forecasting and reporting, and support decisions around growth, funding and business value. Unlike an accountant who works on your annual accounts from the outside, a Freelance CFO becomes part of how your business runs day to day.

Freelance CFO developing a financial forecast model with a team of business directors

What does a Freelance CFO do?

A Freelance CFO takes responsibility for the financial strategy of your business. This usually includes building financial forecasts, interpreting monthly management accounts, identifying opportunities to improve profit and cashflow, supporting funding applications, and advising the board on decisions that affect the long-term value of the business. The specific mix depends on where your business is and what it needs, which is why the arrangement is agreed individually rather than following a fixed job description.

Freelance CFO or Freelance Finance Director: what's the difference?

The terms are often used loosely, but the roles are different. A CFO focuses on strategy: growth, funding, mergers and acquisitions, and building the value of the business ahead of an eventual exit. A Finance Director focuses more on the operational side: reporting, forecasting, controls and running the finance function. Many growing businesses start with a Fractional Finance Director and move to CFO-level support as the business becomes more complex or ambitious. If you are not sure which is the right fit, our guide on when an SME needs a CFO explains how to tell the difference.

A Freelance CFO supporting a business owner

When does a business need a Freelance CFO?

Most businesses reach for Freelance CFO support when they are growing quickly, preparing for funding or investment, planning an exit, or simply find that financial decisions have outgrown the internal team's experience. It is rarely about workload; it is about needing a level of financial judgement the business cannot yet justify hiring full-time.

How much does a Freelance CFO cost?

Cost depends on how many days a month you need and the complexity of the role, but the appeal for most owner-managed businesses is that you only pay for the time you actually use, typically a set number of days each month rather than a full-time salary and package.

Frequently Asked Questions about Freelance CFOs

Is a Freelance CFO the same as a Fractional CFO?
Yes. Freelance, Fractional, part-time and virtual CFO are different names for the same arrangement: an experienced CFO working with your business on an ongoing part-time basis rather than as a full-time employee.

How is a Freelance CFO different from an Interim CFO?
A Freelance CFO provides ongoing, long-term support for a set number of days each month. An Interim CFO covers a defined period, such as maternity leave, a resignation, or a specific project, usually on a more intensive basis.

Do I still need an accountant if I hire a Freelance CFO?
Yes. Your accountant handles statutory compliance and annual accounts. A Freelance CFO works inside the business, providing ongoing financial strategy and management reporting between those year-end filings.

How quickly can a Freelance CFO start?
This depends on the complexity of the role and the right person being available, but engagements are usually agreed and started far more quickly than recruiting a full-time CFO.

What size of business typically uses a Freelance CFO?
Most Secantor clients have a turnover of between £3m and £50m, at the point where financial decisions have become more complex than the internal team is set up to handle.

Talk To Paul About Your Business Goals

Book a Free 30-Minute Business Review

Paul (colour)

Paul Gibbins

Use the calendar to book a free 30-minute call with Paul and get clarity on your next steps

On the call, you’ll:

  • Identify what’s holding back your profit and growth
  • Gain clearer direction on your business priorities
  • Understand how to improve cashflow and performance
  • Explore practical steps to move your business forward

No obligation

30-minute call

Expert advice

Want to Boost Your Business Profits?

Profitability is the heartbeat of any successful business. Ready to take your business to the next level? Download your free guide and discover 10 powerful strategies to increase your business profits today!

Inside this guide, you'll discover how to:

✓ Create a budget that works for you

✓ Identify profit hotspots (and tackle any losses)

✓ Maximise sales while keeping costs in check

✓ Master the difference between 'Mark-up' and 'Margin'

…and so much more!

Click the button below to get instant access to your free guide and start growing your profits now!

Free Business Review

No two businesses are the same. This is why we offer a free business review. We can arrange an initial chat with one of our experts to get things started. Then a couple of our team members will visit you to listen to the story of your business. From this meeting, we’ll be able to provide you with some interesting insights into your business from our independent experience. This will allow you to see how we work and help us to select the right expert for your business. Contact us to book a free consultation.

Why not read one of our short case studies to learn about Secantor's impact.

“We will never forget your huge contribution to Montezuma’s and your constant support, encouragement and all the board room laughs. Thank you for everything!” - Helen Pattinson, MD & Co-founder of Montezuma’s Chocolates

BOOK A FREE BUSINESS REVIEW

How Do I Recruit A Freelance CFO?

Organising Freelance CFO services with Secantor is easy - simply get in touch and we'll manage the rest.  As well as providing expert financial services, we can improve your business with part-time Management Accountant, Non-Executive Director and Operations Director services too, so why not take a look at the other pages of our website to see how we can help you in more ways than one?

What Our Customers Have To Say

Over the years we have helped hundreds of businesses take control of their finances.  By working closely with owners and directors we become an integral part of the management team and as a result have long-standing relationships with our customers, many of whom have relied on our expert knowledge, advice and guidance for many years.  Why not review some of our case studies or listen to what our customers have to say.

Ways Secantor Will Help You

4 Develop a Plan
Develop & Implement A Successful Plan
5 Optimise Finances
Optimise Your Finances
6 Develop a Team
Develop A Strong Accountable Team
7 Build Value in Your Business
Build Value In Your Business
8 Improve Operational Efficiency
Improve Operational Efficiency
9 Exit Your Business Successfully
Exit Your Business Successfully

Read Our Latest Case Studies

View All
The image shows a wooden surface with a row of six round, bite-sized chocolate truffles, each coated in various toppings like chocolate, nuts, and sprinkles. The background is blurred with hints of greenery.

Achieving the Dream Business Exit

Read More

Achieving the Dream Business Exit
The image shows the edge of an underground station platform with the words

The Value of an Interim Finance Director

Read More

The Value of an Interim Finance Director
Resolving Board Conflict

Resolving Boardroom Conflict

Read More

Resolving Boardroom Conflict

What Does It Take to Build a Successful SME?

This guide is designed for ambitious SME owners who want to:

  • Focus on what actually drives growth
  • Spot where profit is being lost
  • Improve margins with smarter decisions
  • Strengthen cash flow and financial control
  • Build a stronger foundation for sustainable growth
  • Take practical action that moves the business forward
Secantor Guide Mock up

Read Our Latest Blog Posts

View Our Blog Posts
Why Governance and Accountability Break Down in Growing SMEs
Modern boardroom with natural daylight
Non-Executive Director

Why Governance and Accountability Break Down in Growing SMEs

What is really causing the breakdown? Most owner-managed businesses do not have a governance problem caused by complexity. They have one caused by informality. Meetings do not happen with any real structure, or do not happen at all. Directors are managing…

Jul 9, 2026 9:00:00 AM
Cashflow Forecasting for SMEs: The Three Conversations Every Business Owner Needs to Have
Business owner and finance advisor reviewing cashflow forecasts and financial models in a professional office setting.
Finance Director

Cashflow Forecasting for SMEs: The Three Conversations Every Business Owner Needs to Have

The Three Cashflow Forecasts Every Owner-Managed Business Should Have in Place Most businesses that run into cashflow problems are not unprofitable. They are poorly informed. The bank account looks reasonable in the morning but by Friday, after payroll, a…

Jun 29, 2026 8:00:01 AM
Why Business Owners Often Can't See Their Biggest Opportunities
Business owner and external adviser discussing operational improvements and hidden growth opportunities within a warehouse facility.
CFO

Why Business Owners Often Can't See Their Biggest Opportunities

How Being Too Close to Your Business Can Hide Profit Opportunities, Cash Flow Improvements and Growth Potential Most successful business owners know their businesses better than anyone else. They know their customers, products, suppliers, staff and market…

Jun 22, 2026 3:17:02 PM

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.

1 Non-Executive Director

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.

Responsibilities

✓ 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
2 Finance Director

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.

Responsibilities

✓ 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
3 Operations Director

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.

Responsibilities

✓ 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

Free Business Review

Discover tailored insights for your business with our simple 3-step process: a quick chat, an onsite visit, and expert advice.
Book your free consultation today!