Fractional CFO services for ambitious SMEs. We bring clarity, control and strategic direction to your finances — so you can focus on growing your business.
See exactly where your business stands financially
Robust systems, processes and financial governance
Strategic financial guidance to scale your business
Trusted by ambitious businesses across the UK
Flexible, senior-level financial expertise tailored to your stage of growth.
Long-term financial roadmaps, budgeting, forecasting and scenario planning aligned with your business goals.
Real-time visibility of your cash position, working capital optimisation and cash flow forecasting to keep your business healthy.
Preparation of investor materials, financial models and due diligence packs. Support through funding rounds and bank negotiations.
Monthly board-ready reporting packs, dashboards and KPI frameworks that give you and your stakeholders confidence.
Streamline your finance function with best-practice processes, automation and the right tech stack for your business.
Attend board meetings, provide strategic financial counsel and ensure your governance framework supports growth.
Real results from real engagements. Here's how we've helped businesses scale.
Built and scaled the entire finance function from start-up to $25m turnover and an $80m balance sheet in four years for this PE-backed international media group operating across three countries.
Delivered global consolidated management reporting, venture partner profit share reporting, and monthly & quarterly board packs for investors.
Implemented cash flow modelling, scenario analysis and working capital management across USD, GBP and EUR.
Owned budgeting, forecasting and analysis across 3 currencies, 10 entities and 20 P&L centres. Provided deal due diligence and brand commercial support.
Led post-deal integration of brand and enterprise acquisitions including acquisition accounting, team transitions, and standardised reporting.
Head of Finance for this PE-backed property and operating company providing office, lab space, events and community for innovative scale-up businesses, including a flagship 400,000 sqft innovation campus in London.
Reported directly to the CEO and group CFO. Led cash flow management including lender liaison, new financing and covenant reporting.
Created business cases for new investments including modular lab fit-outs for life science scale-ups and hospitality ventures.
Negotiated and managed multiple profit share agreements with third-party operators across technology collaboration spaces, recording studios and F&B partners.
Owned finance, management information and analytics across this fintech business, which included a regulated robo-advice company. Established data-driven decision-making, drove cost efficiencies and transformed reporting across the organisation.
Built and developed BI capability across all functions, defining and delivering KPI reporting that provided actionable insight to the executive team.
Produced monthly management accounts and group consolidation reporting including the regulated robo-advice entity. Maximised tax efficiency including R&D tax credit claims.
Led cross-functional system and process improvements including a sales-to-payment overhaul, procure-to-pay implementation and banking migration.
Achieved a 90% reduction in report production time through research and implementation of new reporting techniques across the retail distribution network.
All the expertise of a senior finance director — on the days you need it.
Access experienced CFO-level support at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire. Pay only for the time you need.
Scale support up or down as your business evolves. From one day a week to a more intensive engagement during key milestones.
Hit the ground running with an experienced professional who has worked across multiple industries and business stages.
Gain a trusted financial partner who sits alongside your leadership team and contributes to the big-picture decisions.
Elucidate is a finance partner for growing businesses. We work alongside founders and leadership teams to bring financial clarity, robust controls and strategic direction.
With deep experience across SMEs, we understand the challenges of scaling a business. Whether you're preparing for investment, navigating rapid growth or simply need a senior finance professional in your corner — we're here to help.
Everything you need to know about working with a fractional CFO.
A fractional CFO is a senior finance professional who works with your business on a part-time or flexible basis rather than as a full-time employee. You get the same strategic financial leadership, board reporting, cash flow management and commercial insight — but only pay for the days you need, typically one to three days per week.
Fractional CFO fees typically range from £800 to £1,500 per day depending on seniority and scope. Most SME engagements run one to two days per week, making the annual cost £40,000–£80,000 compared to £120,000–£180,000+ for a full-time CFO when you factor in salary, NI, pension, benefits and recruitment costs.
Common triggers include: rapid revenue growth with increasing financial complexity, preparing for investment or acquisition, PE backing requiring robust reporting, cash flow challenges, outgrowing your accountant's capabilities, or needing senior financial input at board level without the overhead of a full-time hire.
An accountant focuses on compliance, tax returns and historical reporting. A fractional CFO is a strategic finance leader who works forward-looking: financial planning, forecasting, cash flow strategy, investor relations, board reporting and commercial decision support. They sit alongside your leadership team and help drive the business forward.
Engagements are flexible and tailored to your needs. Typically we agree a number of days per week or month, attend board meetings, and embed within your team — either on-site, remotely or a mix of both. Engagements can scale up during busy periods like fundraising or year-end, and scale down when things are steadier.
We have deep experience across media and production, fintech, property, technology, events and PE-backed businesses. However, the core financial disciplines — reporting, forecasting, cash flow, governance — are transferable across sectors, and we welcome conversations with businesses in any industry.