Fractional Finance Director Newsletter – Sept 2025

Don’t My Accountants Do That? 

Does this sound familiar to anyone. 

Sales are strong, but the profits are down. 

Margin varies month on month for no reason. 

Even fixed costs change massively month on month. 

No one can explain why. 

You feel like you are flying blind.
 

• “Whose job is it?” 

You have a Financial Controller, a bookkeeper and pay external accountants every month, so surely one of them can help. 

But they can’t, how can this be? Are they doing their job? 

The answer is, yes. 

But high-level oversight, commercial insight and risk management aren’t their job. 

So, let’s outline what their jobs are: 

 

• Bookkeeper: The Keeper of the Data 

Your bookkeeper is the engine room of your finance function – the one who keeps everything ticking over. They: 

• Record transactions accurately. 

• Reconcile bank accounts. 

• Process invoices, expenses, and payments. 

• Make sure your day-to-day numbers are clean and up to date. 

Without a good bookkeeper, your numbers are a mess. 

But here’s the catch: they’re not there to spot if your margins are shrinking, your cash flow is running dry, or your pricing isn’t working. 

Their job is accuracy and organisation — not insight or strategy. 

 

• Finance Manager / Controller: The Engine Room Supervisor 

Your finance manager or controller steps up a level. They: 

• Manage the monthly close and produce management reports. 

• Keep track of cash flow and budgets. 

• Manage payroll, VAT, and financial controls. 

• Keep your accounting and reporting running smoothly. 

They’re vital for operational discipline and accuracy. But their focus is on the day-to-day. 

They’re rarely the ones looking at the bigger picture, thinking long-term, or questioning whether your current financial strategy will get you where you want to go. 

 

• External Accountant: The Compliance Expert 

Your external accountant is essential. They: 

• Prepare and file statutory accounts. 

• Submit corporation tax returns. 

• Manage VAT returns and Companies House filings. 

• Keep you compliant with tax and legal requirements. 

They keep the taxman and regulators off your back — which is no small job. 

But here’s the important bit: unless you’re paying for advisory services, your accountant won’t be monitoring your cash flow every week, warning you about risks, or helping with strategic decisions. 

 

So… Who’s Actually Looking Ahead? 

If no one in your team is: 

• Warning you about the icebergs before you hit them. 

• Spotting new opportunities for growth or savings 

• Modelling different scenarios to help you make informed decisions. 

• Helping you plan for funding, investment, or a business sale. 

Then your business is flying blind. 

 

That’s where I come in. 

As a Fractional Finance Director, I bridge that gap. 

I don’t replace your existing finance team — I collaborate with them, connecting the dots between compliance, operations, and strategy. I make sure your finances aren’t just a record of the past, but a tool for your future. 

Here’s what I do: 

• Build practical, easy-to-use forecasts and cash flow plans that help you plan and react. 

• Support you in raising funding or show you how to navigate growth without it. 

• Prepare your business for sale, investment, or major change. 

• Spot risks and opportunities early — before they become problems or missed chances. 

• Translate financial data into clear, actionable insights that empower confident decisions. 

 

Why Does This Matter? 

Because numbers alone don’t grow your business — people do. 

When you’re relying only on bookkeeping, compliance, and management reporting, you’re missing strategic financial leadership.
Without that leadership, businesses can find themselves: 

• Struggling with cash flow surprises 

• Making poor pricing or investment decisions 

• Missing growth opportunities 

• Facing unexpected risks or market changes unprepared