When Is the Right Time to Hire a Part-Time FD or CFO?

Building a business is exciting, but it also brings financial challenges. Startups and SMEs often concentrate on immediate goals such as sales, hiring, and product development, while long-term financial planning can fall behind. This is where strong financial leadership becomes crucial.

A full-time Finance Director (FD) or Chief Financial Officer (CFO) may seem out of reach, but a part-time or interim professional can deliver the same level of expertise at a fraction of the cost. It’s a flexible, affordable way to strengthen decision-making, improve cash flow management, and keep your business financially prepared for growth and investment.

What Does a Part-Time FD or CFO Do?

For growing businesses, a part-time FD or CFO can add senior-level financial expertise with a significant impact. Although the roles are similar, there are some differences. An FD is typically more operationally finance-focused in terms of budget control, reporting, and regulatory compliance. A CFO, by contrast, typically has a broader strategic brief, contributing to the long-term direction of the business, providing input on investment decisions, and driving expansion plans.

Some of the key functions include:

• Financial Forecasting: They create realistic budgets and projections that inform crucial business decisions. For example, a part-time FD can help a company determine whether it can afford to hire additional staff this quarter.
• Cash Flow Management: They ensure your business has the cash it needs to meet obligations and invest in growth. This could involve identifying a potential cash shortfall weeks before it becomes an issue.
• Accounts & Management: Budget and expense control, delivery of financial reporting for the company, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and statutory regulations. This will provide confidence for both yourselves and outside investors that you are a financially healthy company.
• Fundraising help: From crafting investor-ready documents to financial modelling, they assist in raising capital on terms that work for your business.
• Strategic Planning: They help you understand how funding aligns with growth opportunities, enabling better, more informed decisions.

They can even serve as a critical bridge between everyday finance and high-level strategy, ensuring your business is financially nimble enough to grow.

Common Growth Triggers That Signal the Need

There are specific milestones and business challenges that make it clear when it’s time to bring in a part-time FD or CFO. Recognising these triggers early can help you stay ahead of potential issues and prevent unnecessary stress or costly mistakes.

Preparing for Funding Rounds

If your company is seeking investment, you need both accurate financial forecasts and compelling statements. A part-time FD or CFO can prepare your accounts, build robust financial models, and deliver investor-ready materials, giving you confidence in your pitch.

Scaling Headcount and Operations

Rapid growth brings operational complexity. Each additional team member, office or contract adds to payroll, supplier management, and overhead. A part-time FD or CFO ensures your finances grow in line with operations, minimising risks and inefficiencies while maintaining control.

Increased Financial Complexity

New revenue streams, international sales, or complex contracts make day-to-day accounting more challenging. A part-time FD or CFO can implement systems, processes and reporting frameworks to manage this complexity effectively while keeping oversight intact.

Planning for Exit or Acquisition

If you have a trade sale, management buyout, or eventual IPO in mind, financial precision becomes critical. Senior part-time finance leaders support the valuation and deal structuring process, guide you through due diligence, and help maximise the value of your exit.

Need for Board-Level Financial Reporting

Raising investment or expanding your board depends on reliable, high-level reporting. A part-time FD or CFO provides clear, actionable insights that guide board discussions and improve confidence in strategic decisions.

Plugging this expertise in at key stages of your growth ensures you have the right financial leadership on hand before challenges become crises.

Risks of Waiting Too Long

Delaying the appointment of experienced financial leadership can expose your business to several risks that may not become apparent until the damage is done:

• Financial Control Gaps: Without strong oversight, errors and inconsistencies can slip into systems, leading to misreported profits or potential compliance issues.
• Limited Cash Flow Visibility: A poor understanding of cash flow makes it harder to plan investments, pay suppliers, or handle unexpected costs, all of which can affect daily operations.
• Lack of Strategic Insight: Without senior financial guidance to interpret data in context, decisions can become reactive rather than strategic, and opportunities for growth or efficiency may be missed.
• Inefficient Resource Allocation: Money and teams may be spread too thin, projects delayed, or resources focused in the wrong areas, reducing productivity and profitability.
• Reputational Risk with Investors or Lenders: Late or inaccurate financial reporting damages credibility and can make it harder to raise funding or secure favourable loan terms.

Shortfalls in financial leadership can magnify even small issues. A part-time FD or CFO can identify risks early, establish robust systems, and provide the strategic insight needed to keep your business financially secure and ready for growth.

Why Part-Time Instead of Full-Time?

Hiring a full-time FD or CFO is not always the best fit for startups and SMEs. A part-time or interim option provides a more flexible and cost-effective alternative:

• Business Value: Gain senior-level expertise at a fraction of the cost of a full-time salary, benefits, and long-term employment.
• Access to Talent: Part-time does not mean junior. Many part-time FDs and CFOs bring years of experience guiding businesses that smaller firms could not otherwise afford.
• Flexibility and Scalability: Support can be adjusted to match your needs, whether that’s a few days a week or short-term project work, giving you control over your level of engagement.
• Outsourcing Advantages: Avoid the recruitment, training, and employment overheads of a permanent hire while benefiting from experienced financial leadership and ongoing support.

Braant’s model is built for SMEs. We provide part-time FDs and CFOs who step in at key stages to enable growth, support fundraising, and guide strategic decisions without long-term commitments. This ensures you retain financial control, make confident decisions, and scale sustainably with experienced guidance on your side.

How Braant Supports Startups & SMEs with FD/CFO Services

Braant delivers flexible, high-quality financial leadership tailored to the needs of startups and SMEs. Our part-time and interim FDs and CFOs bring practical insight, industry experience, and hands-on expertise to every phase of growth.

We help businesses strengthen their financial management through accurate forecasting, cash flow control, and robust reporting. Our team also supports fundraising efforts, preparing investor-ready financial models and capital strategies designed to secure funding on the right terms. At board level, we ensure clarity and confidence through clear, data-led reporting and strategic advice that aligns financial planning with long-term growth goals.

Our services are designed to scale with your business, adapting to your changing needs as you grow. Whether you require short-term project support or ongoing part-time leadership, we provide a cost-effective solution that delivers measurable value and experienced guidance every step of the way.

Financial Leadership When You Need It Most

Waiting too long to bring in senior financial expertise can put your business at risk, from cash flow gaps to missed growth opportunities. Part-time FDs and CFOs provide a cost-effective, flexible way to bring strategic direction and financial control into your business when it matters most.

Our part-time FD and CFO services give you access to experienced leadership without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire. This approach allows startups and SMEs to make confident, informed decisions, manage cash flow effectively, and scale sustainably. Contact Braant today to find out how our part-time financial experts can help your business grow with confidence.