Unlock strategic growth with a fractional CFO

The Finance People specialises in providing fractional CFOs to SMEs and larger businesses across the UK and beyond. Gain time, save money & make data-driven decisions with a fractional CFO.

Call 0844 589 3912 | Email info@thefinancepeopleuk.com

5 Star Fractional CFOs & Finance Experts

We understand that many growing businesses don’t need - or can’t justify - a full-time finance leader on payroll. But that doesn’t mean you should go without high-level financial expertise.

Whether you're filling a short-term gap, expanding into new markets, or simply need a smarter way to manage finances long term, a fractional CFO gives you the strategic firepower of a senior finance expert — without the overhead of a full-time hire.

That’s why we offer flexible, part-time and interim CFO support tailored to your business stage, goals, and budget — so you get lasting impact, not just a stopgap.

  • Start in as little as 5 days

    We connect you with a vetted CFO quickly - often within a week - so you can take action when it matters most. No lengthy hiring process, just immediate strategic support.

  • Save up to 60% vs full-time CFOs

    You get top-tier financial leadership at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire. Perfect for businesses that need strategy without the ongoing salary burden.

  • Aligned to your stage and sector

    Whether you’re scaling, fundraising, or planning an exit, your CFO brings relevant industry knowledge and hands-on experience. We match you with someone who understands your goals from day one.

Our step-by-step approach

  • Discuss your business aims and requirements with our team. This will enable us to get a good understanding of your business and help align you with the right solution.

  • We'll explore your culture, business and requirements in further depth, ensuring we are finding the right personality for the job. We'll also look at your future plans to ensure our team can evolve with you.

  • We'll hand-select your ideal-fit fractional cfo or other flexible finance professional, based on your business requirements and culture fit. You'll be introduced to your finance expert as soon as you need them, with wait times as little as 1 week.

  • We'll check in with you as your flexible finance professional integrates into your team. We'll ensure you are happy with the service and are on your way to achieving your goals.

We make it easy to get started with your flexible finance professional. Our seamless four-step process will ensure you are settled and aligned with your new expert, ready to work towards your long and short-term business goals.

How can a Fractional CFO help your business?

  • Cash Flow Management

    Cash flow issues can put a stressful and completely unnecessary strain on a business, but our finance experts are here to help you forecast your cash flow and act on investment opportunities.

  • Exit Planning

    Exit planning is crucial to increasing the value of a company for when a business owner opts to sell, if this is something you have yet to create then there is no better time to consider making an exit plan.

  • Risk Management & Forecasting

    Staying on top of potential risks is essential for growing SMEs and therefore risk analysis should be a priority. Our finance experts can help you identify potential risks & create a risk management strategy.

  • Management Information

    SME's may think that it is not essential to collect and analyse data before they are fully established, but as the business becomes more established, management information is crucial to succeeding.

  • Profitability

    What starts out as a profitable venture, can easily take a turn for the worse. Our part-time finance experts will work with you closely on profitability to ensure the longevity of your business.

  • Raising Funds

    If you are looking to raise funds and bring more money into your business, our finance experts are on hand to guide and assist with an abundance of experience in raising finance for SMEs and start-ups.

Why work with a fractional CFO?

You'll work with one dedicated finance expert to help your business reach its goals. From your initial consultation, we'll be looking to introduce you to the perfect fit finance professional who has the right experience and is the ideal culture fit for your business. You'll never be passed between our team and you'll establish a relationship with your fractional CFO over the months working together.

A dedicated finance expert for your business

Dedicated Fractional CFO

Why work with a fractional CFO?

No compromise on expertise

While you are scaling, you need expert resources to help you take that next step - why should you have to compromise to grow? Our ethos is to ensure that businesses of all sizes can gain access to high-level finance experts no matter their size or budget. All our part-time finance experts have been closely vetted to ensure they are of the highest standard for our clients.

Client success stories

  • TMT First

    Discover how The Finance People transformed TMT First’s financial leadership, having secured £1m in invoice financing and implemented structured forecasting.

  • Marantec

    Learn how The Finance People overhauled financial management at Marantec, ensuring all management accounts were fully up to date, with a system for regular reporting every month.

Fractional vs. Full Time

Thinking of hiring a full-time CFO? For many growing businesses, a fractional CFO delivers the same senior expertise — but with greater flexibility, faster onboarding, and significantly lower cost. Here’s how they compare.

AspectFractional CFOFull-Time CFO
Experience & ExpertiseSenior-level professionals with 10–20+ years' experienceSenior-level professionals with 10–20+ years' experience
CostPay only for what you need — typically 40–60% lessFull-time salary + benefits + overhead
FlexibilityFully scalable — adjust hours and scope as your business evolvesFixed schedule and contractual terms
Speed to HireMatched and onboarded in daysTraditional hiring process can take months
Industry ExposureOften work across multiple industries — broader strategic viewMay have experience in just one or two sectors
CommitmentPart-time, interim, or project-based — no long-term lock-inLong-term employment contract
Value DeliveredFocused on high-impact outcomes and strategic goalsCan get pulled into day-to-day operations
Ideal ForSMEs, startups, growth-stage companiesLarger companies with complex, ongoing finance needs

Shahla Sadeq, Head of Finance at Marantec

“They’ve taught me that it’s not just about seeing a number on a spreadsheet - it’s about understanding where that number comes from, what it represents, and how it impacts the business.”

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A fractional CFO is a highly experienced finance leader who works with your business on a part-time, project-based, or interim basis. You get the strategic insight of a full-time CFO — without the cost or long-term commitment.

  • We can typically match you with a CFO within 3–7 days, depending on your needs and complexity. The onboarding process is simple, efficient, and tailored to your timeline.

  • We work with SMEs, startups, and growth-stage companies across a range of sectors, typically with a turnover £4m-£20m. Whether you're preparing for investment, scaling operations, or stabilising cash flow, we’ll match you with a CFO who understands your stage and industry.

  • Most of our CFOs work remotely, but we also offer hybrid or on-site options depending on your location and preference. We’ll recommend the best setup based on your needs.

  • Our CFOs provide strategic financial leadership, including forecasting, cash flow management, fundraising support, board reporting, profitability analysis, and long-term planning. They act as a true financial partner, not just a numbers person.

  • Every CFO in our network has been carefully vetted for qualifications, experience, and industry fit. Most have 10–20+ years in senior finance roles and a proven track record of delivering value to growing businesses.

  • Very. You can scale hours up or down, shift focus areas, or pause the service with appropriate notice. Our goal is to provide flexible support that fits your business — not lock you into something you don’t need.

  • Costs vary based on scope, experience level, and hours required, but most clients see a 40–60% savings compared to hiring a full-time CFO. We’ll provide a clear proposal with transparent pricing once we understand your needs.

  • Yes — consistency is key. Once you’re matched with a CFO, they’ll remain your dedicated partner unless you request a change or your needs evolve.

  • Simple — just fill out our contact form here. We’ll learn more about your business, define your goals, and match you with the right CFO quickly and seamlessly.

Hire a fractional CFO for your SME

We’re a collective of expert finance professionals looking to become your long-term partner for financial and business success.