Outsourced CFO Services In London

A hands-on CFO who takes responsibility for delivery and helps you make the big decisions

An outsourced CFO is a chief financial officer brought in from outside to lead your financial strategy alongside your own team. They answer for the plan, work with your people and sit in on the decisions that shape the business, as a director would, without the cost of a full-time appointment. It is strategic finance leadership, not outsourced bookkeeping or accounts. We begin by listening to where the business is heading.

The same service is also called a Fractional CFO or Virtual CFO. Read our national guide to the Fractional CFO role for the full model, or see our wider board-level support in London.

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What Does An Outsourced CFO Do For A London Business?

A CFO from outside the business takes on the strategic side of finance that a full-time CFO would lead, working alongside whoever runs reporting and control today. The main areas are:

  • The plan. A three to five year financial forecast model covering profit and loss, balance sheet and cashflow that links ambition to cash.
  • Raising and managing finance. Choosing funding, preparing the case and leading conversations with lenders and investors.
  • Pricing and profit. Finding where pricing, product mix or cost is limiting profit.
  • Building value. Preparing the business for a sale or succession.
  • Board leadership. The agenda, information and accountability that make board meetings useful.
  • Decision partner. Working with the owner and directors on the big calls and strengthening an accountable management team.

This is a senior finance leadership service, not outsourced bookkeeping or accounts, which stay with your bookkeeper or accountant. You may also see it called a Fractional CFO, Virtual CFO or Part-Time CFO.

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When Does A London Business Need An Outsourced CFO?

Bringing in an outsourced CFO makes sense when the decisions facing the business have grown beyond what your finance function or accountant can lead, but a full-time CFO is not yet justified. Typically that means a funding round or refinance, an acquisition, a planned sale, or growth the current plan cannot support. Our guide on when an SME needs a CFO sets out the signs.

How An Outsourced CFO Helps A London Business

Compared with employing a full-time CFO, an outsourced CFO gives a London business strategic experience it might not otherwise afford, from someone who still answers for the outcome. They work as part of your management team rather than advising from the sidelines, take responsibility for delivering the plan and help you make the decisions, as a director would. You also gain the breadth of Secantor's advisors, who have seen many owner-managed businesses through funding, growth and sale, and you stay in control of the time: you can increase or decrease the days to suit the business. Some businesses later add a Part-Time Finance Director as the finance function grows.

An outsourced CFO discussing strategy with a business owner

How An Outsourced CFO Works With You

Everything starts with a conversation about where your business is heading. From it we recommend the CFO we think fits, or more than one if you want to choose between them, each of whom has held CFO, Finance Director or Non-Executive Director roles. Once you have chosen they sit in your management team, work with your people and own the priorities you agree together, and you can raise or lower the days whenever the business needs.

What Does An Outsourced CFO Cost In London?

Secantor charges £1,200 a day plus VAT and expenses for an outsourced CFO in London, invoiced monthly for the days worked. You choose the days and can increase or decrease them to suit the business, with more around a funding round or transaction and fewer afterwards. Our cost guide explains the figures in more detail.

An outsourced CFO meeting with an SME management team
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Choosing The Right Arrangement For A London Business

An outsourced CFO suits a London business whose main question is strategy, funding or a sale. If control, reporting and cash come first, a Part-Time Finance Director is the better start. If you have a gap in leadership or a deal to lead, an Interim CFO can start at short notice, and if the board needs a fresh, independent perspective, a Non-Executive Director can help. The same CFO service is also available as a Fractional CFO or Virtual CFO, and our guide to Fractional vs Part-Time vs Interim CFO explains how the models compare.

Working With Your Existing Team

An outsourced CFO sits above your existing finance function and works with your accountants, your board and your finance team, using the records your bookkeeper or accountant keeps. They do not replace anyone, and we do not provide bookkeeping or outsourced accounts.

An outsourced CFO reviewing financial information with an SME business owner

The Free Business Review

Our Free Business Review is the no obligation way in. We start with a short conversation, then come to you to hear about the business and where you want to take it, and you leave with an independent view and our recommendation. See the Free Business Review.

Our 5-Point Commitment to You

✅ Expert Advice You Can Rely On: You’ll work with qualified, experienced advisors who are focused on results.

✅ A Trusted Working Relationship: We select advisors who fit your culture, team and goals.

✅ Tailored Support for Your Business: No templates, just relevant, practical, hands-on input.

✅ Dependable, Consistent Delivery: We meet deadlines, keep promises and deliver lasting impact.

✅ Clear, Proactive Communication: No jargon. Just senior-level expertise, clearly delivered.

Next Steps

Start with a conversation. The Free Business Review begins with a chat about where the business is heading and ends with an independent view and no obligation. If you prefer to talk first, book a discovery call with a Secantor Director.

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What Do London Business Owners Ask About An Outsourced CFO?

What is an outsourced CFO, and does it include bookkeeping?

An outsourced CFO is an experienced chief financial officer brought in from outside to lead your financial strategy on a part-time basis, as a member of your management team. It does not include bookkeeping or outsourced accounts, which stay with your bookkeeper or accountant.

Is an outsourced CFO a consultant?

No. A consultant advises and moves on. An outsourced CFO answers for the plan, sits in on the decisions that shape the business, as a director would, and stays to see them through.

How is outsourcing the role different from an in-house CFO?

You get the same strategic experience and accountability, at the level of involvement the business needs, with no recruitment, employment costs or long term commitment. You can increase or decrease the days as things change.

Is an outsourced CFO the same as a fractional or virtual CFO?

Yes. Outsourced, fractional, virtual and part-time describe the same service: an experienced CFO working with your business on an ongoing basis. Each has its own page for London, including Fractional CFO and Virtual CFO.

How many days a month does an outsourced CFO work?

It depends on what the business needs. We agree the level at the first meeting, and you can raise or lower the days to suit the business.

How soon can an outsourced CFO begin?

That depends on the advisor you choose and your timetable. Where a funding event is close or the role has fallen vacant, an Interim CFO can often start at short notice.

Not quite found the answer you need? Contact our team and we will get back to you personally.

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

Want to dive deeper? Our blog on How Can a Fractional CFO Transform Your Bottom Line? is full of useful insights.

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