Virtual Finance Director Services In Reading

Timely figures, quicker answers and a finance function led by a senior Finance Director on site and online

A virtual Finance Director is a senior Finance Director who works with your Reading business on site and online, so reporting, cash and forecasting are led by someone experienced without a full-time salary or hire. They become part of the management team, answer for the finance function and help the directors decide as a director would. It is senior leadership, not bookkeeping or outsourced accounts.

Virtual, fractional, outsourced and part-time Finance Director all describe one service. The Fractional Finance Director guide gives the national picture, and you can see every board-level role we offer in Reading in one place.

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What Does A Virtual Finance Director Do For A Reading Business?

A Secantor virtual Finance Director leads the finance function of a Reading business, beginning with an in-person meeting, returning at regular points and working with you online in between. The areas of support typically include:

  • Month-end and reporting: a reliable monthly pack shared online, discussed on a call and explained in plain language.
  • Cash and credit: a rolling cash forecast reviewed regularly, with prompt attention to debtors and creditors.
  • Budgets and forecasts: a budget the managers own, and a three to five year financial forecast model covering profit and loss, balance sheet and cashflow.
  • Several sites or home workers: consistent reporting for managers in different places, so everyone works from the same figures.
  • Quick decisions: a named contact who can answer a pricing, hiring or funding question between meetings.
  • Lenders: ongoing contact with the bank and other lenders, backed by up-to-date information.

Bookkeeping and accounts production stay with your bookkeeper or accountant. Virtual is another name for the service also offered as Fractional Finance Director, Part-Time Finance Director and Outsourced Finance Director, each with a Reading page.

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When Does A Reading Business Need A Virtual Finance Director?

A Reading business needs a virtual Finance Director when its managers work from several sites or from home, the owner is often away from the office, or the business wants senior finance input without having someone in the building every day. It also suits a business with a capable finance team that wants a senior person to review the numbers and answer questions as they arise, rather than waiting for a monthly visit. Our article on the benefits of management accounts explains why timely figures matter.

How A Virtual Finance Director Helps A Reading Business

A virtual Finance Director brings senior finance leadership with less travel and more flexibility than a full-time hire. Reporting is shared online, so figures reach the owner and managers quickly, and a short call can settle a question that would otherwise wait for a meeting. The same named advisor builds up knowledge of the business, so each conversation starts where the last one ended, and in-person meetings are saved for the decisions that benefit from the room.

A virtual finance director discussing investment plans with an SME business owner

How A Virtual Finance Director Works Day To Day

Secantor begins with a conversation about how the business runs, then recommends the Finance Director who 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. Your Finance Director meets you and the team in person to begin, joins the monthly cycle by call, works from shared reporting and can be reached through a named contact. From then on, they are a working member of your management team and answer for the finance function.

What Does A Virtual Finance Director Cost In Reading?

A virtual 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, whether that means a heavier month while systems change or a lighter one once things settle. See our cost guide for wider context.

A virtual finance director interpreting financial performance figures with a management team
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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.

Working With Your Existing Team

A virtual Finance Director works with your finance team, bookkeeper and accountants through shared reporting and regular calls, adding the senior oversight they need. The people already doing the work keep doing it, and the Finance Director gives direction and review. Bookkeeping and outsourced accounts are not part of our service.

A Virtual Finance Director creating a financial forecast model with an SME business owner

Choosing Between A Virtual Finance Director And Other Roles

A virtual Finance Director suits a business that wants strong control and reporting delivered on site and online. A Part-Time CFO is the closer fit when funding, strategy or a sale are the main questions, and an Interim Finance Director suits cover for a set period. A Management Accountant can produce the monthly reporting, and a Non-Executive Director adds an independent voice at the board.

Starting With A Free Business Review

The Free Business Review is a free first step for a Reading owner considering a virtual Finance Director. We open with a call and then come to you to see how the finance function works today, and you receive our independent view with a recommendation of an advisor who fits.

Next Steps

If a virtual Finance Director sounds right for your Reading business, speak to a Secantor Director on a discovery call, or begin with the Free Business Review.

What Should A Reading Owner Ask About A Virtual Finance Director?

Is a virtual Finance Director less involved than one on site?

No. The role is the same, delivered on site and online. They meet you in person to begin and at regular points, and the rest is by call and shared reporting, so leadership of the finance function is as complete as with a visiting Finance Director.

Is a virtual Finance Director a consultant?

No. A consultant advises and leaves. A virtual Finance Director from Secantor is part of your management team, answers for the finance function and stays involved through the monthly cycle and beyond.

How are the monthly figures shared?

Reporting is shared online and discussed on a call or in person, depending on what you and your Finance Director agree. The aim is for figures to reach the owner and managers promptly and in plain language.

What if something cannot wait for the next meeting?

Your named contact can usually be reached between sessions by phone or video call, so a pricing, hiring or funding question is answered by someone who already knows the numbers.

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

Yes. Virtual describes how the service is delivered, and it is the same service as Fractional Finance Director, Part-Time Finance Director and Outsourced Finance Director, each with a Reading page. The exception is an Interim Finance Director, which covers a set period.

Do we still need a bookkeeper?

Yes. Your bookkeeper keeps the records, and the virtual Finance Director uses them to provide insight and control, so the two roles complement each other.

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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