Strategic Finance Advisory

Not every business needs a full-time CFO.

But when you are making an important financial or commercial decision, it helps to have someone experienced to work through the numbers, challenge the assumptions and give you an independent view.

Strategic Finance Advisory gives business owners and management teams ongoing access to senior financial expertise on a flexible monthly retainer. It is designed for businesses that may already have accounting support, but want experienced financial input when decisions matter.

What we can help with

Your accountant may prepare the numbers. Your finance team may report them. The focus here is on what those numbers mean for the business and what you should be thinking about next.

Support can include:

• Reviewing profitability, cashflow and financial performance
• Assessing major investments or capital expenditure
• Reviewing pricing, margins and customer profitability
• Considering new hires or additional overhead
• Assessing borrowing and funding requirements
• Stress-testing growth plans and financial projections
• Preparing for conversations with banks, investors or shareholders
• Reviewing acquisitions, expansion opportunities or new markets
• Challenging assumptions before significant commitments are made
• Helping you understand the financial impact of different options

A sounding board for the owner or CEO

Some decisions need detailed financial analysis. Others simply benefit from having someone experienced to talk them through with.

Can we afford to make this investment? Should we hire now or wait? Are we generating enough cash to support growth? Should we borrow or fund the investment internally? Are our margins where they should be?

The purpose of the service is not to make the decision for you. It is to make sure you understand the financial implications before you make it.

How it works

You have agreed access to FDS Consulting each month for strategic financial and commercial support.

This can include regular reviews, ad hoc calls, financial analysis or support ahead of an important decision or meeting. The level of support flexes around what is happening in the business rather than creating work simply to fill allocated time.

Who it is for

Strategic Finance Advisory is particularly suited to:

• Established SMEs
• Owner-managed businesses
• CEOs and founders without a full-time CFO
• Businesses with an accountant or finance team already in place
• Companies going through growth, change or investment
• Management teams that want an independent financial perspective

It is not intended to replace your accountant or finance function.

It sits alongside them, helping you use financial information to make better business decisions. Senior financial experience without another full-time hire

Have a financial decision you want to talk through?

If you would like experienced financial input available when it matters, get in touch to discuss whether Strategic Finance Advisory is the right fit for your business.