Fractional FD

Most growing businesses reach a point where they need senior financial leadership — but not necessarily a full-time Finance Director. A fractional FD gives you exactly the expertise you need, at the right level of commitment, without the cost of a permanent hire.

FD Capital specialises in placing fractional Finance Directors with UK SMEs, scale-ups, and investor-backed businesses. Our candidates are available immediately, working on a schedule tailored to your business — whether that’s one day a week, two days a month, or an intensive project-based engagement.

✉ Call 020 3287 9501 — typical shortlist delivered in 3–7 days.

“FD Capital has supported SBS Insurance Services over the past three years through the provision of a Fractional FD/CFO. Their expertise has made a significant difference in professionalising our finance function and delivering accurate, timely management information—exactly what our business needed to grow with confidence.”  Tracey Rees COO SBS Insurance Services Ltd

What Is a Fractional Finance Director?

A fractional Finance Director is an experienced FD who works with your business on a part-time or project basis rather than as a full-time employee. The term ‘fractional’ refers to the fact that they commit a fraction of their time to your business — typically between one and three days per week — while you benefit from the full depth of their experience. See also our Part-Time Finance Director Service

This model has grown significantly across the UK over the past decade. Businesses that once felt they couldn’t justify the cost of a senior FD are now accessing that level of financial leadership on commercially viable terms. For the FD, it offers variety and autonomy. For the business, it offers expertise that would otherwise be out of reach.  For businesses that need finance operations managed day-to-day rather than part-time strategic leadership, a Head of Finance is often a better fit — our head of finance recruitment covers this role.

A fractional FD is distinct from an interim FD. An interim typically fills a gap — covering a maternity leave or a sudden departure — and is usually full-time for a fixed period. A fractional FD is a longer-term, ongoing arrangement, embedded in the business but working part-time. Many fractional relationships last several years.We also offer Fractional CFO.

When Does a Business Need a Fractional FD?

There is no single trigger point, but certain situations make the case clearly:

• You’re growing faster than your financial infrastructure can keep up with
• You’re preparing for a funding round — debt or equity — and need credible financial reporting and modelling
• You have a Finance Manager or Controller in place but lack strategic financial leadership above them
• You’re working with private equity or venture capital and need an FD who understands investor expectations
• You’re approaching a transaction — an acquisition, disposal, or MBO — and need financial leadership through the process
• Your existing finance function has grown organically and needs restructuring
• You’re facing a cash flow challenge that requires hands-on senior attention
• You want board-level financial input without a full-time board appointment many are ICAEW qualified or hold ACCA professional qualifications’

The common thread is that the business needs more than a bookkeeper or accountant can provide, but isn’t yet at the scale — or doesn’t have the budget — for a full-time FD at £120,000 to £180,000 per annum.  Where the brief is driven by financial difficulty rather than growth or scale, a turnaround Finance Director is a more specific appointment than a conventional fractional FD.

Our fractional Finance Directors are hands-on. They don’t advise from a distance — they embed in your business, take ownership of the finance function, and work alongside your team. The scope varies by business, but typically covers:  Fractional FDs frequently identify a need for dedicated FP&A resource — our financial planning and analysis recruitment covers analyst and manager appointments to support this function.

Financial Leadership & Strategy

• Setting and owning the financial strategy aligned to business goals
• Board reporting and presenting to investors or shareholders
• Financial modelling, forecasting and scenario planning
• Cash flow management and working capital optimisation

Fundraising & Transactions

• Preparing investor-ready financial packs for VC and PE fundraising
• Managing debt facilities and banking relationships
• Financial due diligence support for acquisitions and disposals
• Leading the finance workstream in MBO processes

Operational Finance

• Monthly management accounts and KPI reporting
• Annual statutory accounts and audit management
• Finance team leadership, recruitment, and development
• Systems implementation and process improvement
• Compliance, regulatory reporting, and risk management thereby ensuring compliance with Companies House filing requirements

Where the brief is more operational than strategic, our financial controller recruitment covers the senior finance tier below FD for both permanent and interim appointments.

Part-time FDs regularly identify a need to build or strengthen the FP&A function — our financial planning and analysis recruitment covers analyst and manager-level appointments to support this.

There is no shortage of finance recruitment firms. The reason businesses return to FD Capital — and refer us to others — is the quality and relevance of our candidates, and the straightforwardness of the process.

Our network of fractional Finance Directors includes professionals who have worked at FD and CFO level in listed companies, PE-backed businesses, and high-growth SMEs. They understand what good looks like, and they understand the pressures that growing businesses face. That experience is what you’re accessing when you hire through FD Capital. See also our Finance Director Recruitment Search. Where CFO-level capability is needed rather than FD, a virtual CFO provides equivalent senior financial leadership delivered entirely remotely.

What Our Clients Say

“FD Capital introduced us to a fractional FD who transformed how we reported to our PE backers. The shortlist came through in under a week and the quality was exactly what we needed. We’ve since extended the engagement indefinitely.”

CEO, PE-backed technology business, London

For most growing UK businesses, the decision to hire a fractional FD comes down to a simple calculation: the business needs Finance Director-level thinking but cannot justify — or does not yet need — a full-time appointment at £120,000 to £180,000 per annum. A fractional FD solves that precisely. You access the same depth of experience, the same strategic input, and the same hands-on finance leadership, for a fraction of the cost and commitment.

The businesses that benefit most from a fractional FD tend to share a few characteristics. They have grown past the point where a bookkeeper or management accountant can provide the financial leadership the business needs. They face decisions — around funding, cashflow, acquisitions, or growth — that require someone who has navigated those situations before. And they operate at a scale where a full-time FD would be underutilised for a significant portion of their time.

A fractional FD typically works one to three days per week with a single business, embedded in the leadership team. They attend board meetings, lead the finance function, manage the relationship with banks and auditors, and provide the financial modelling and forecasting that supports good decision-making. The engagement is ongoing — not a one-off project — which means the fractional FD builds real knowledge of the business over time.

The fractional FD model has grown significantly across the UK over the past decade, driven partly by the increasing acceptance of flexible working at senior level and partly by the recognition that many SMEs and PE-backed businesses simply function better with an experienced FD in the room, even part-time, than without one. The cost argument has become well understood. The quality argument — that a fractional FD from a specialist firm like FD Capital brings deeper experience than many businesses could access through a full-time hire at the same budget — is perhaps less well appreciated, but it is equally valid.

If you are weighing up whether a fractional FD is right for your business, the most useful starting point is a conversation rather than a job description. Call FD Capital on 020 3287 9501 and speak directly with our team about what you need and what we can introduce you to.

“Adrian acted as our Finance Director for two years and provided an outstanding service. His expertise, attention to detail and strategic financial guidance made a real difference to our business operations. Adrian is professional, reliable and highly knowledgeable – I would confidently recommend him to any business needing experienced financial leadership.” — Stuart Laight, Asprey Transport, Wolverhampton

One of the most common questions businesses ask when considering a fractional FD is how the working relationship actually functions on a day-to-day basis. The short answer is that a fractional FD from FD Capital operates as a genuine member of your senior team — not a consultant who drops in with recommendations and disappears.

A typical fractional FD engagement begins with an initial period of two to four weeks during which the FD reviews your existing finance function, financial reporting, banking arrangements, and near-term priorities. This diagnostic phase is informal but important — it means the fractional FD hits the ground running and can provide substantive input almost immediately rather than spending months getting up to speed.
From there, the working pattern settles into a rhythm determined by what the business needs. For most SMEs, one or two days per week is sufficient. For businesses going through a transaction, fundraise, or period of significant change, the commitment can increase temporarily to three or four days before returning to a lighter ongoing pattern. The flexibility is one of the primary reasons businesses choose the fractional FD model over a permanent appointment.

Your fractional FD will typically take ownership of monthly management accounts and board reporting, lead conversations with your bank and any investors, oversee the annual audit process, and work alongside your existing finance team — whether that is a single bookkeeper or a team of five. They will also flag risks and opportunities that a less experienced finance function might miss, and support the commercial decisions the business is making.

The relationship works best when the fractional FD is treated as a genuine board-level appointment rather than an external adviser. Businesses that get the most from a fractional FD are those that include them in strategic conversations, not just financial reporting. That is when the real value of having someone at that level of experience, even part-time, becomes clear.

FD Capital has been placing fractional FDs with UK businesses since 2018. Most of our fractional FD engagements run for two years or more. Call 020 3287 9501 to discuss what is available.

About Our Founder

FD Capital was founded by Adrian Lawrence FCA, a Chartered Accountant with over two decades of experience in finance leadership and executive search. Adrian holds a BSc from Queen Mary College, University of London and is a Fellow of the ICAEW. Before founding FD Capital he worked across private, listed, owner-managed and PE-backed organisations, giving him direct experience of the finance challenges and hiring decisions that CFOs are appointed to solve. He personally leads our most senior CFO searches and conducts candidate interviews himself — which is why our assessment process goes substantially deeper than a standard recruiter screen. Every brief Adrian takes is informed by having sat on both sides of the table.

FD Capital operates in accordance with recognised executive search standards and professional recruitment best practices. We support the principles outlined in the UK government’s executive search code of conduct.

How the Process Works

We keep it simple. A call with one of our senior team is enough to understand your business, your needs, and the profile of FD you’re looking for. From there:

1. Brief & requirements — We agree the scope, commitment level, sector experience, and any specific skills required.
2. Shortlist — We present a curated shortlist, typically within 3–7 working days. Most candidates are available for an immediate start.
3. Interviews — You meet the candidates. We handle scheduling and provide briefing notes.
4. Placement & onboarding — Once you’ve chosen your FD, we support the contracting process and stay in touch to make sure the relationship is working.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a fractional Finance Director cost?

Day rates for experienced fractional FDs typically range from £600 to £1,200 per day depending on the level of experience, sector specialism, and complexity of the role. On a one-day-per-week basis, that equates to roughly £30,000–£60,000 per annum — a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire at the equivalent seniority.

How quickly can a fractional FD start?

Most of our candidates are available within one to two weeks of appointment. Many are available immediately. This is one of the key advantages of the fractional model over a permanent search, which typically takes three to four months.

Is a fractional FD the same as a part-time FD?

The terms are used interchangeably and describe the same arrangement. At FD Capital we use both depending on how clients describe their needs. The key characteristic is that the FD works with you on a flexible, part-time basis rather than as a full-time employee.

Can a fractional FD become permanent?

Yes, and it happens regularly. Many businesses bring in a fractional FD during a period of growth or transition, and as the business scales the role transitions to full-time. We support that process and can restructure the arrangement as your needs evolve.

Why Businesses Search for a Fractional FD

The term fractional FD is widely used by UK business owners who are familiar with the Finance Director role and are looking for a flexible version of it. If you have searched for a fractional FD, you are looking for exactly what FD Capital provides — an experienced Finance Director working with your business on a part-time basis, embedded in your team, at a cost that reflects the time they commit rather than a full-time salary.
The fractional FD model suits businesses at a specific point in their development: past the stage where a bookkeeper or accountant is sufficient, but not yet at the size or budget level where a full-time Finance Director at £120,000–£180,000 per annum is justified. A fractional FD fills that gap precisely — providing board-level financial leadership, strategic input, and hands-on finance management for typically one to three days per week.

FD Capital has been placing fractional FDs with UK businesses since 2018. Our network of fractional FDs includes professionals with direct experience of PE-backed businesses, owner-managed companies, SaaS businesses, and regulated firms. Every fractional FD we place is pre-screened by Adrian Lawrence FCA and is available for an immediate start in most cases.

If you are looking for a fractional FD, call us on 020 3287 9501 or use the contact form below.

Related Services

• Interim Finance Director
• Fixed-Term FD
• Interim FD
• Finance Director Recruitment
• Financial Controller Recruitment

Get in Touch

If you’re considering a fractional Finance Director and want to understand what’s available, a short call with our team is the best starting point. We can give you a clear picture of the market, typical day rates, and the kind of candidates we’d be able to introduce you to. ‘Our fractional FDs are typically ICAEW qualified chartered accountants’  For businesses not yet requiring fractional FD-level experience, a senior Head of Finance can provide the operational finance leadership they need — our head of finance recruitment covers this appointment.

Call our main number on 020 3287 9501 today and let us find your the perfect fractional FD.

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