Interim Finance Director Services In Reading

Experienced financial leadership for a leadership gap, a project or a period of change

An Interim Finance Director steps into an owner-managed Reading business for a defined period, taking control of reporting, cash and forecasting while you manage a leadership gap, a transaction or a change. Secantor's Interim Finance Directors can start at short notice, and we visit you in Reading to begin.

Read our national guide to the Interim Finance Director role for the full model, or see our wider board-level support in Reading.

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What Does An Interim Finance Director Do For A Reading Business?

Secantor's Interim Finance Directors take charge of the finance function of a Reading business for a limited time and keep the business under control while the longer term answer is found.

  • Take control. Reporting, cash and forecasts, so the owners are not left without the numbers.
  • Cover the gap. Keep the finance function running through a resignation, a long term absence or a recruitment.
  • Lead the project. A systems change, a restructure, an acquisition, a refinancing or due diligence.
  • Steady the team. Support your finance staff and look after the relationships with your bank and accountants.
  • Hand over. Leave clear records and processes for the permanent hire or for an ongoing part-time Finance Director.
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When Does A Reading Business Need An Interim Finance Director?

Secantor's Interim Finance Director service suits a Reading business with a defined problem and no one with the experience to own it. Typical triggers include a Finance Director who has resigned or is leaving, a long term absence such as sickness or maternity leave, a transaction or refinancing, a finance system migration, a restructure, or a recruitment that is taking longer than planned. Our blog on the value of an interim FD sets out the case in more detail.

How Does An Interim Finance Director Help A Business?

 

Secantor's Interim Finance Directors help a Reading business by keeping its finance function under control while a gap, project or change is dealt with. The first benefit is continuity. When a Finance Director leaves, reporting slips, the bank loses confidence and decisions are made without good figures. An interim takes hold of the work straight away, so the business keeps its control and its credibility while it decides what to do next.

The second benefit is focus. A project such as a refinancing or a systems change needs someone with the time and experience to see it through, and the existing team is usually already full. The third is a clean handover: the interim leaves the function in better order than they found it, with the work documented and ready for whoever follows. Some businesses then move to a Part-Time Finance Director for ongoing support.

An interim Finance Director discussing strategy with a business owner

How Does An Interim Finance Director Work With You?

Secantor starts an Interim Finance Director engagement in Reading with a visit to your premises, to understand what has happened and what needs doing, and then proposes the advisor whose experience fits. Objectives and period are agreed at the start and reviewed as the work goes on. Early on, an interim often works more days a week than a part-time Finance Director, then steps back as things settle.

What Does An Interim Finance Director Cost In Reading?

Secantor charges £1,200 a day plus VAT and expenses for an Interim Finance Director in Reading. The number of days follows the task, and the engagement ends when the task does. Our cost guide has the detail.

An interim Finance Director meeting with an SME management team
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Which Arrangement Suits A Reading Business?

Secantor's Interim Finance Director suits a Reading business with a defined gap, project or change, while a Part-Time Finance Director suits one that wants ongoing support. If the question is funding, strategy or a sale, consider an Interim CFO or a Part-Time CFO. A Non-Executive Director helps when the board needs an independent voice. Fractional vs Part-Time vs Interim CFO sets out the differences.

How Does An Interim Finance Director Work With Your Existing Team?

Secantor's Interim Finance Director supports the finance staff, accountants and board of a Reading business through the period. They cover the role while you find the permanent hire, and do not replace that hire. Bookkeeping and outsourced accounts are not part of our service.

An interim Finance Director reviewing financial information with an SME business owner

What Is The Free Business Review?

Secantor's Free Business Review is our no obligation first step for Reading businesses facing a finance gap. We chat, then a couple of our team visit you in Reading to hear what has happened and what the business needs, and you receive an independent view and our recommendation of the right support. See the Free Business Review.

Next Steps

Start with a visit to Reading: our Free Business Review opens with a conversation, then we come to your premises to hear what has happened and what the business needs. You receive an independent view, with no obligation. Prefer to talk first? Book a discovery call with a Secantor Director.

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What Do Reading Business Owners Ask About An Interim Finance Director?

How quickly can an Interim Finance Director start?

Usually at short notice. We settle the brief with you at a visit and propose the right advisor.

How long does an interim engagement last?

The task decides: weeks for a gap in cover, longer for a project. Objectives and period are agreed at the start and reviewed along the way.

What does an Interim Finance Director cost?

Interim Finance Director support costs £1,200 a day plus VAT and expenses.

What is the difference between an interim and a part-time Finance Director?

An interim covers a set period, gap or project and then stops; a part-time Finance Director gives ongoing support for a few days each month. Some businesses move from one to the other.

Do you cover businesses beyond Reading itself?

Yes. We visit businesses in Caversham, Tilehurst and along the M4 corridor, and across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey.

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.

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  • Identify what’s holding back your profit and growth
  • Gain clearer direction on your business priorities
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4 Develop a Plan
Develop & Implement A Successful Plan
5 Optimise Finances
Optimise Your Finances
6 Develop a Team
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7 Build Value in Your Business
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8 Improve Operational Efficiency
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9 Exit Your Business Successfully
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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
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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.

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

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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

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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

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