Outsourced Finance Director Services In Reading

Dependable figures, firmer cash control and a finance function led by an experienced Finance Director from outside the business

An outsourced Finance Director is an experienced Finance Director brought in from outside to lead the finance function of a Reading business alongside its own team. They sit in the management team, answer for the reporting, cash and forecasting and help the directors make decisions as a director would, without the cost of hiring one full time.

Outsourced here means senior leadership, not outsourced bookkeeping or accounts, which stay with your bookkeeper or accountant. For the full model, read the Fractional Finance Director guide, or see all of our board-level roles in Reading.

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

Secantor's outsourced Finance Directors lead the finance function of a Reading business from outside it, working alongside the bookkeeper, accountants and finance staff who handle the daily records. The areas of support typically include:

  • Reporting you can rely on: management accounts delivered promptly, with commentary that explains the movements rather than only listing them.
  • Cash: a rolling cash forecast, firmer credit control and a clear picture of what the business can afford each month.
  • Budgets and the forecast model: a budget owned by the managers who deliver it, and a three to five year financial forecast model covering profit and loss, balance sheet and cashflow.
  • Controls and systems: sound, simple controls and finance systems that fit the size of the business.
  • The finance team: setting priorities and developing the people doing the work, or helping to shape a hire when one is needed.
  • Lenders and advisors: managing the relationship with the bank and other lenders, and with the business's accountants.

Outsourced is one of four names for the same service, alongside Fractional Finance Director, Part-Time Finance Director and Virtual Finance Director, and each has its own Reading page.

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When Does A Reading Business Need An Outsourced Finance Director?

A Reading business needs an outsourced Finance Director when the finance function has outgrown the people running it, whether that is an owner doing the numbers late in the evening, a bookkeeper asked to interpret as well as record, or a finance manager with no senior person to learn from, yet a full-time Finance Director would not be used enough to justify. A change of system, a bank review or a sudden jump in turnover often brings it to a head. Our guide to how to use management accounts effectively shows what good reporting looks like.

How An Outsourced Finance Director Helps A Reading Business

Compared with employing a Finance Director, an outsourced one lets a Reading business pay for the senior time it uses rather than a salary, benefits and a recruitment fee. Coming from outside, they see the business without its habits, which helps with questions an insider may avoid, such as which customers are really profitable. They remain part of the management team and answerable for the finance function, and the experience of other owner-managed businesses comes with them.

An outsourced finance director discussing investment plans with an SME business owner

How An Outsourced Finance Director Is Brought Into Your Team

Secantor starts by listening to how the business runs, then recommends the Finance Director we think suits you, or more than one if you would like to choose. All of our advisors have held senior board roles themselves, and each is accredited by our directors. After you choose, the Finance Director is introduced to your people, agrees the priorities with you and takes responsibility for the finance function, working alongside the team until the new ways of working have taken hold.

What Does An Outsourced Finance Director Cost In Reading?

An outsourced Finance Director from Secantor costs £1,200 a day plus VAT and expenses in Reading. The days are agreed in advance and you have full flexibility to increase or decrease them to suit your business needs, so you pay for senior finance time in proportion to what the business uses. See our cost guide for wider context.

An outsourced finance director interpreting financial performance with a management team
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✅ 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.

Working With Your Existing Team

An outsourced Finance Director does not replace your bookkeeper, accountants or finance team. They sit above them, set the priorities and use the records they keep, and Secantor does not provide bookkeeping or outsourced accounts. Where the business has no finance manager, the Finance Director can describe the role and help you recruit one.

An Outsourced Finance Director creating a financial forecast model with an SME business owner

Choosing Between An Outsourced Finance Director And Other Roles

An outsourced Finance Director suits a business that wants its finance function led by a senior person without a full-time hire. If the questions are mainly about funding, strategy or a sale, a Part-Time CFO is the closer fit, and a fixed period of cover, for example while a vacancy is filled, is the work of an Interim Finance Director. Where the first need is timely monthly figures, a Management Accountant produces the reporting, and a Non-Executive Director brings an independent voice to the board.

Starting With A Free Business Review

Secantor's Free Business Review lets a Reading owner see what an outsourced Finance Director would change before committing to anything. A short call comes first, then we come to you to talk through the finance function and where it is under strain, and you leave with our independent view and a recommendation of the right advisor.

Next Steps

To find out whether an outsourced Finance Director is the right answer for your Reading business, book a discovery call with a Secantor Director, or start with the Free Business Review.

What Do Reading Owners Ask Before Hiring An Outsourced Finance Director?

Does an outsourced Finance Director do our bookkeeping?

No. It is senior leadership of the finance function, brought in from outside. Bookkeeping, payroll and the production of accounts stay with your bookkeeper or accountant.

Is an outsourced Finance Director a consultant?

No. Consultants usually report and go. An outsourced Finance Director from Secantor is accountable for the finance function, joins the management team and stays until the changes have taken hold.

How does it compare with employing a Finance Director?

You pay for the days you use, with no recruitment fee, salary or employer costs, and you still have the experience around the table. If the business later needs a full-time Finance Director, your outsourced advisor can help define the role.

Is an outsourced Finance Director the same as a fractional, part-time or virtual one?

Yes. Outsourced is one of four names for the same ongoing service, alongside Fractional Finance Director, Part-Time Finance Director and Virtual Finance Director, each with its own Reading page. An Interim Finance Director is different, because it covers a fixed period.

Will the Finance Director work with our finance manager?

Yes. They set priorities with your finance manager or team, coach them where useful and take on the senior work the team has not had the chance to do, such as forecasting and lender reporting.

How quickly can an outsourced Finance Director start?

Timing depends on which advisor you choose and when you need the help, and we start by recommending someone after the first conversation. Where a vacancy or an approaching deadline makes it urgent, ask us about an Interim Finance Director.

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

Looking at other roles? See our Part-Time CFO and Non-Executive Director services in Reading.

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