What is a Part-Time Finance Director?

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.

How does a Part-Time FD differ from a Full-Time FD?

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.

Why would an SME need a Part-Time FD?

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

Can a Part-Time FD also act as a Non-Executive Director?

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.

Can a Part-Time FD help with fundraising or investment?

Yes — an FD plays a crucial role in preparing forecasts, engaging with investors or banks, presenting financial strategy, and structuring funding rounds. They bring credibility and clarity to the process.

How much does a Part-Time Finance Director cost?

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.

Is a Part-Time FD suitable for my business size?

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.

How quickly can a Part-Time FD start?

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.

What makes Secantor different?

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.

How do I hire a Part-Time Finance Director?

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.

Part-Time Finance Director Services for SMEs

Many SMEs reach a stage where they need stronger financial leadership, but do not yet require a full-time Finance Director.

A Part-Time Finance Director provides experienced financial and commercial support on a flexible basis, helping business owners improve reporting, forecasting, profitability and decision-making without the cost and commitment of employing a permanent senior finance executive.

For growing businesses, this often provides the ideal balance between affordability, experience and practical support.

Secantor provides experienced Part-Time Finance Directors who become part of your management team, helping businesses improve financial visibility, strengthen commercial decision-making and support sustainable growth.

What Does a Part-Time Finance Director Do?

A Part-Time Finance Director supports the financial and commercial management of your business while working flexibly around your requirements.

Typical areas of support include:

Monthly management accounts and financial reporting
Cash flow forecasting and working capital management
Budgeting and financial planning
Profitability and margin analysis
KPI reporting and board reporting
Commercial decision support
Pricing and cost analysis
Banking and funding support
Financial controls and process improvement
Strategic planning and growth support
Supporting business owners and management teams

Unlike an accountant who primarily focuses on compliance and historic reporting, a Part-Time Finance Director helps businesses make better forward-looking decisions.

A good Part-Time Finance Director should not simply produce reports. They should help business owners understand the numbers, identify risks and opportunities, improve accountability and support better commercial decisions across the business.

How A Part-Time Finance Director Typically Works

A Part-Time Finance Director may work with your business:

One or two days per month
Several days each month
On a weekly ongoing basis
During periods of growth or change
Alongside an existing finance team
Supporting business owners and senior management

Some businesses initially require more hands-on involvement before moving to a lighter ongoing arrangement as reporting, controls and management processes become more established.

The role is designed to be flexible, allowing SMEs to access senior financial leadership appropriate to their stage of growth and complexity.

When Does A Business Need A Part-Time Finance Director?

Many SMEs appoint a Part-Time FD when:

The owner is making too many financial decisions alone
Management information is delayed or unclear
Cash flow pressures are increasing
Profitability is inconsistent or unclear
The business is growing quickly
Banks or investors require stronger reporting
The finance team needs leadership
The business is planning expansion, acquisition or exit
The directors need stronger commercial insight
There is no clear budgeting or forecasting process

A Part-Time Finance Director can often provide the structure, visibility and accountability businesses need to move confidently into the next stage of growth.

Senior expertise without full-time cost

Access experienced financial leadership without the salary, benefits and long-term commitment associated with employing a full-time Finance Director.

Improved visibility and control

Gain clearer management information, better reporting and stronger understanding of business performance and cash flow.

Better commercial decision-making

Use accurate financial insight to support pricing, investment decisions, recruitment planning and growth strategy.

Stronger accountability and structure

Introduce improved reporting disciplines, forecasting processes and management accountability across the business.

Practical support for business owners

Many SME owners carry too much responsibility themselves. A Part-Time Finance Director provides experienced support, challenge and commercial guidance to help leadership teams make better decisions with greater confidence.

Part-Time Finance Director Services From Secantor

At Secantor, our Part-Time Finance Directors work closely with SME business owners and leadership teams across a wide range of sectors.

We provide practical, commercially focused support designed to help businesses improve performance and fulfil their potential.

Our approach is highly flexible. Some businesses require support for a few days per month, while others need more regular involvement during periods of growth, change or increased complexity.

Our Finance Directors are experienced senior professionals who integrate into your business and become part of your management team rather than operating as external consultants.

Part-Time Finance Director vs Fractional Finance Director

The terms Part-Time Finance Director and Fractional Finance Director are often used interchangeably. Both describe experienced Finance Directors providing flexible, outsourced financial leadership to businesses on a less than full-time basis.

However, some businesses use the term “Part-Time FD” when searching for regular ongoing support for a set number of days each month, whereas “Fractional FD” is sometimes associated with broader strategic financial leadership across multiple businesses. In practice, the services are very similar. You can also learn more about our:

Other Terms Often Used For Part-Time Finance Director Services

Businesses may use a variety of terms when searching for flexible senior financial leadership.

A Part-Time Finance Director may also be referred to as a:

Fractional Finance Director
Outsourced Finance Director
Virtual Finance Director
Portfolio Finance Director
Freelance Finance Director
Independent Finance Director

While the terminology varies, the underlying requirement is usually the same: experienced financial leadership without employing a full-time Finance Director.

Why Businesses Choose Secantor

Businesses choose Secantor because we provide:

Experienced senior financial professionals
Commercially focused support
Practical, hands-on involvement
Flexible engagement structures
Strong SME experience
Clear communication and accountability
Board-level financial leadership
Long-term partnership support

Our focus is always on helping SME businesses improve performance, strengthen decision-making and achieve sustainable growth.

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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.

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How Do I Recruit a Part-Time Finance Director?

Organising Part-Time Finance Director 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.

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 experienced strategic and commercial support without the cost of employing a full time Finance Director. They work alongside your leadership team to improve financial visibility, strengthen decision making, manage cash flow, support growth plans and help build a more commercially robust business.

A Part Time FD provides the same level of financial expertise and strategic input as a Full Time Finance Director, but works with your business on a flexible basis, typically for a set number of days each month. This allows SMEs to access experienced financial leadership, forecasting, reporting and commercial support without the salary costs and long term commitment associated with employing a permanent full time FD.

In most cases, yes. The terms Part Time Finance Director and Fractional Finance Director are often used interchangeably to describe experienced senior finance professionals providing flexible financial leadership on a less than full time basis.

Some businesses use the term “Part Time FD” when looking for regular ongoing monthly support, while “Fractional FD” is sometimes associated with broader strategic or board level involvement across multiple businesses. In practice, the services are very similar.

Many SMEs reach a stage where financial decisions become more complex, but are not yet ready to recruit a full time Finance Director. A Part Time FD helps business owners improve financial control, forecasting, reporting and profitability while providing experienced commercial support and strategic guidance. This often enables businesses to make better decisions, avoid costly mistakes and grow with greater confidence.

Part Time Finance Directors are most commonly used by growing SMEs that require stronger financial leadership but do not yet need a full time Finance Director. At Secantor, we typically support businesses with turnover between £3m and £50m, although we also work with ambitious smaller businesses preparing for growth, investment or operational change.

Many businesses appoint a Part Time FD when financial reporting, forecasting, cash flow management and strategic decision making become increasingly important to the success of the business.

Typical responsibilities include producing and interpreting management accounts, building financial forecasts, managing cash flow, budgeting, improving reporting, advising on funding, supporting board meetings, strengthening financial controls and helping business owners make financially sound commercial decisions.

A good Part Time FD should not simply produce reports. They should help management teams understand the numbers, identify risks and opportunities, improve accountability and support better decision making across the business.

Yes, because the roles are different and complementary. An accountant typically focuses on compliance, statutory accounts, payroll and tax matters. A Part Time FD works within the business to provide strategic financial leadership, commercial insight, forecasting and decision support. Your FD will often work closely with your accountant and help ensure financial information is used effectively to support the business.

You can read more about how FDs and external accountants work together to support businesses in our article Accountant vs part-time FD.

Yes. A Part Time Finance Director can play a key role in preparing forecasts, financial models and management information to support funding discussions with banks, investors or lenders. They also help businesses present a clearer financial strategy, improve credibility with funders and manage the overall fundraising or investment process more effectively.

Yes. At Secantor, many of our Finance Directors also bring valuable Non Executive Director (NED) experience. This means they can contribute not only to financial leadership, but also to wider strategic discussions, board level governance, accountability and long term business planning.

The cost depends on the level of support required, the complexity of the business and the experience needed. At Secantor, Part Time FD support typically starts from around £1,200 +VAT per month, with most engagements ranging from one to six days per month depending on business requirements. Every engagement is tailored to the needs of the business to ensure the right level of support and value.

We can often introduce an experienced Finance Director within a relatively short timeframe, depending on the specific requirements of the business. Every Secantor FD is carefully selected and personally accredited to ensure they have the technical expertise, commercial experience and interpersonal skills needed to integrate successfully into your management team.

Unlike many providers, Secantor focuses on delivering commercially experienced senior leaders who become part of your management team rather than acting as external consultants. We provide practical financial leadership tailored to SMEs and carefully match businesses with experienced Finance Directors based on sector experience, commercial fit and business requirements.

Our wider team also includes CFOs, Non Executive Directors, Operations Directors and Management Accountants, enabling us to provide broader strategic and operational support where needed.

The best place to start is with an initial conversation about your business, your current challenges and the level of support you may require. Following this, we develop a clear understanding of your business needs and identify the most appropriate Finance Director based on your requirements, culture and objectives. Our approach is consultative and flexible, with no obligation, simply a conversation to explore whether we are the right fit for your business.

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Ways Secantor Will Help You

Develop & Implement A Successful Plan

Optimise Your Finances

Develop A Strong Accountable Team

Build Value In Your Business

Improve Operational Efficiency

Exit Your Business Successfully

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.

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.

✓ 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

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.

✓ 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

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.

✓ 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

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Part-Time Finance Director Services for UK SMEs

Flexible Financial Leadership To Support Growth, Control And Better Decision-Making

What Does a Part-Time Finance Director Do?

How A Part-Time Finance Director Typically Works

When Does A Business Need A Part-Time Finance Director?

“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”

The Benefits Of A Part-Time Finance Director

Senior expertise without full-time cost

Improved visibility and control

Better commercial decision-making

Stronger accountability and structure

Practical support for business owners

Part-Time Finance Director Services From Secantor

Part-Time Finance Director vs Fractional Finance Director

Other Terms Often Used For Part-Time Finance Director Services

Why Businesses Choose Secantor

“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”

Want to Boost Your Business Profits?

Free Business Review

How Do I Recruit a Part-Time Finance Director?

What Our Customers Have To Say

Frequently Asked Questions: Part-Time Finance Directors

Talk To Paul About Your Business Goals

Paul Gibbins

Ways Secantor Will Help You

Develop & Implement A Successful Plan

Optimise Your Finances

Develop A Strong Accountable Team

Build Value In Your Business

Improve Operational Efficiency

Exit Your Business Successfully

Our Services

We help you make strategic decisions

Non-Executive Director

Finance Director

Operations Director

Read Our Latest Case Studies

Achieving the Dream Business Exit

The Value of an Interim Finance Director

Resolving Boardroom Conflict

Read Our Latest Blog Posts

Why Every SME Business Should Have a Finance Director

The Benefits of Management Accounting: Why Every SME Business Should Use Management Accounts

When Does An SME Need A CFO?

Free Business Review