Virtual CFO Services In London

A senior CFO who works as part of your management team, in person and online

A virtual CFO is a senior chief financial officer who works with your London business on site and online, so you get real strategic finance leadership without needing them in the building every day. They answer for the plan, join the conversations that shape decisions and help you make them, as a director would, and you avoid the cost of a full-time appointment. This is strategic leadership rather than outsourced bookkeeping or accounts, and it starts with us listening to where the business is heading.

Our national guide to the Fractional CFO role covers the model in full, and our wider board-level support in London is on its own page.

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What Does A Virtual CFO Do For A London Business?

A virtual CFO does the job of a full-time CFO, delivered in the way that suits your business: face to face at the moments that count, and online in between. The work covers:

  • Forecasts and models. A three to five year financial forecast model covering profit and loss, balance sheet and cashflow, kept current with a budget, a rolling forecast and scenario models.
  • Funding. Choosing the right finance and preparing the case for lenders and investors.
  • Reporting you can act on. Clear monthly reporting and the handful of KPIs that matter, explained rather than just delivered.
  • Board packs. The information and commentary that make board meetings productive.
  • Availability between sessions. A named advisor you can call when a decision cannot wait for the next meeting.

"Virtual" describes how the service is delivered, not what you get. The same role is also called a fractional, part-time or outsourced CFO. See our Fractional CFO, Part-Time CFO and Outsourced CFO pages for London.

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When Does A London Business Need A Virtual CFO?

A virtual CFO suits a London business with people spread across sites or working from home, an owner who travels, or a leadership team that needs a CFO for the decisions that matter rather than at a desk every day. It also suits owners who want quick answers between meetings on funding, planning and risk. Our guide on when an SME needs a CFO sets out the wider signs.

How A Virtual CFO Helps A London Business

The virtual model gives a London business quicker access to a CFO's judgement, with less travel and fewer fixed commitments. Your CFO works as part of the management team, answers for the plan and helps you make the decisions, as a director would, then stays reachable between sessions so decisions keep moving. You work with the same advisor throughout, so the forecast and the numbers build up in one pair of hands, you still meet in person when it matters, and you can raise or lower the days to suit the business. Some businesses start with a virtual CFO and later add a Part-Time Finance Director as the finance function grows.

A virtual CFO discussing strategy with a business owner

How A Virtual CFO Works With You

We begin with a conversation about where the business is heading, then put forward the CFO we think fits, or more than one if you would like to choose. The work then combines regular time with you, video calls, shared reporting and a named contact between sessions, with the CFO sitting in your management team and owning the priorities you agree. The pattern and the days are yours to change as the business needs.

What Does A Virtual CFO Cost In London?

A virtual CFO in London costs £1,200 a day plus VAT and expenses, invoiced monthly for the days worked. You decide how many days and can raise or lower them to suit the business, with more around a funding round or transaction and fewer afterwards. See our cost guide for more.

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

A virtual CFO suits a London business that wants strategic leadership delivered on site and online. If control, reporting and cash come first, consider a Part-Time Finance Director. For 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 Outsourced CFO, and our guide to Fractional vs Part-Time vs Interim CFO compares the models.

Working With Your Existing Team

A virtual CFO works alongside your finance team, accountants and board, adding a senior strategic layer above them while they carry on as they are. This is not outsourced accounts: bookkeeping stays with your bookkeeper or accountant, and we do not provide it.

A virtual CFO reviewing financial information with an SME business owner

The Free Business Review

Start with our no obligation Free Business Review: a short chat, then time with you in person to hear about the business and your plans, finishing 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

The simplest next step is a conversation. Our Free Business Review starts with a chat about where the business is heading and ends with an independent view and no obligation. Would you rather talk first? Book a discovery call with a Secantor Director.

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What Do London Business Owners Ask About A Virtual CFO?

What is a virtual CFO, and is it different from a fractional CFO?

A virtual CFO is an experienced chief financial officer who works with your business on site and online, as a member of your management team. We use virtual, fractional, outsourced and part-time to describe the same service.

Is a virtual CFO a consultant?

No. A virtual CFO is a working member of your team who answers for the plan and takes part in the decisions that shape the business, as a director would. The work is delivered on site and online, and they stay to see it through.

Does a virtual CFO work remotely or in the business?

Both. We meet you in person to begin and at regular points, and support the work in between by video call and shared reporting. We agree the mix with you.

How many days a month does a virtual CFO work?

That depends on what the business needs. We settle the level at the first meeting, and you can increase or decrease the days to suit the business.

How quickly can a virtual CFO start?

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.

Does a virtual CFO work with our existing finance team and accountants?

Yes. They work with your finance staff and accountants, adding a strategic layer above them. Bookkeeping and outsourced accounts are not part of our service.

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 Outsourced Operations Directors.

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