The Challenge: Growth and the Financial Expertise Gap
Many ambitious businesses face a critical hurdle: achieving sustainable growth requires strong financial leadership. But the hefty price tag of a full-time finance director (FD) can feel like a gamble, especially for businesses on the cusp of a breakout.
This is the classic “chicken and egg” scenario. You need a financial mastermind to analyse data, identify hidden opportunities, and craft strategic plans. Yet, the upfront cost and recruitment process for a full-time FD can be daunting.
The Secret Weapon: The Fractional FD
Enter the fractional FD, your secret weapon for unlocking growth. While the concept of leveraging senior financial expertise isn’t new, the term “fractional FD” is a recent arrival in the UK. Previously, “Part-Time Finance Director” (PTFD) was more common. However, the reality for these professionals often involved managing a portfolio of several fast-growing businesses, exceeding a typical part-time workload. This practical need led to the adoption of the term “fractional,” better reflecting the flexible, time-shared nature of their service
Imagine having an experienced finance professional on your senior team, with the flexibility to adjust their involvement as your business scales. That’s the power of a fractional finance director. Think of them as a high-calibre finance lead who delivers the same level of strategic guidance and financial expertise as a full-time hire, but in a way that fits your budget and specific needs.
Unlike consultants, fractional FD’s are really hands-on. They roll up their sleeves, dive into and analyse the data whilst creating financial planning and reporting models to solve problems, not just identify them.
Specialist Skills
Fractional FDs bring their diverse array of talents to any type of business. They have a core set of specialised skills, such as risk management, acquisitions and disposals, restructuring, exit planning, or corporate governance.
Exposure to diverse businesses makes fractional FD’s ideal for businesses seeking high-level guidance without a full-time FD and the salary that comes with the role.
Clients tell us our FD’s make a big difference to their business performance and provide incredible support. If you have had enough of slogging through each day with no one to talk to and no end in sight, we can introduce you to an experienced FD who will listen, take time to understand and “have your back”.
Do you need a fractional FD?
Imagine this: you’re leading a dynamic, ambitious business on the cusp of significant growth. You know the importance of strong financial leadership, but the thought of hiring a full-time FD feels risky. The salary will be substantial, and the risk of not finding the perfect fit looms large.
On the one hand, achieving sustainable growth requires a deep understanding of your finances. You need a seasoned FD can analyse your data, identify hidden opportunities, and develop financial models to support your ambitions. They become a trusted advisor, providing invaluable guidance on critical decisions like fundraising, acquisitions, and resource allocation.
On the other hand, the upfront cost of a full-time FD can feel prohibitive, especially if your growth hasn’t fully materialised yet. You might question whether your business can justify such a significant investment. Additionally, the recruitment process can be lengthy and finding the right candidate with the perfect blend of experience and personality can be challenging.
Compared to a full-time FD, a fractional FD is more flexible and cost-effective. By working with your business on a part-time or project basis, providing the same level of expertise as a full-time FD, you stand to benefit from such a senior finance expert. And the great thing is, you don’t have to commit in the same way as you would with a permanent member of staff. As one of our clients explained “I can turn on, and turn off the tap as and when required”.
A good FD, whether they are fractional or full-time, will help you improve, grow or turnaround your business if that is your goal. They will have the ability to confirm which activities within your business are most profitable, so you can do more of them. A great fractional FD will expertly identify what the key risks are associated with each of your strategies and help prepare scenario models so that you can look at various ‘what if’ scenarios.
Think a fractional FD is right for your business? Would you like to meet the GJC FD’s?
