Part-Time Financial Controller

What is a Part-Time Financial Controller?

A part-time Financial Controller is a senior finance professional who works with your business on a defined number of days per week — typically one to three — rather than on a full-time basis. The arrangement gives businesses access to an experienced FC without the cost of a permanent full-time hire.

The part-time model is most appropriate for businesses that have outgrown their bookkeeper or management accountant but are not yet at the scale where a full-time FC is warranted. It is particularly effective for businesses between £2m and £10m revenue, owner-managed companies building out their finance function, and businesses preparing for investment or acquisition.

The part-time FC is distinct from a fractional FC — though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. A part-time FC typically works on a recurring, regular schedule embedded in the business. A fractional FC may work across several clients simultaneously on a more advisory basis. FD Capital advises clients on which model best fits their situation before beginning any search.

What Does a Part-Time Financial Controller Do?

The scope of a part-time FC varies with the size and complexity of the business, but typically includes:

• Production of monthly management accounts and financial reporting for the board
• Budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management
• Oversight of the accounting function — accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll
• Implementation and monitoring of internal controls
• VAT returns, statutory accounts preparation and liaison with external auditors
• Banking relationship management and covenant compliance where relevant
• Financial modelling and scenario planning to support business decisions
• Supporting fundraising, due diligence or M&A processes

Part-time FCs placed by FD Capital are senior professionals — not junior accountants working reduced hours. They bring the commercial and strategic perspective of a seasoned FC alongside the technical accounting capability the role requires.

“Adrian worked with us as our Financial Controller for four years and did a first-rate job throughout. His financial expertise, attention to detail and professional approach brought real value to our business. I would highly recommend Adrian to any organisation looking for reliable and experienced financial support.”
— David Brennan, Laserline Car Alarms, Runcorn

Cost efficiency

A full-time Financial Controller in London typically costs £60,000–£90,000 per annum in salary alone, plus on-costs. A part-time FC working two days per week delivers senior financial oversight at a proportionate cost — typically £30,000–£50,000 per annum depending on the individual’s seniority and sector background. For businesses at the right stage, this is the most efficient route to FC-level financial leadership.

Flexibility and scalability

Part-time FC arrangements are flexible by design. As the business grows, the commitment can be scaled from one day per week to two or three days. When a specific project demands additional input — a fundraise, an acquisition, a systems implementation — the FC can increase their involvement temporarily. FD Capital structures engagements to accommodate this from the outset.

Immediate impact

Part-time FCs placed by FD Capital are available for immediate starts. Most have held senior finance roles in businesses directly comparable to yours — they do not require a long induction and can begin delivering value within their first few weeks. Our network includes FCs with backgrounds across private equity-backed businesses, owner-managed companies, SaaS, manufacturing, professional services and e-commerce.

Diverse sector experience

Many of our part-time FCs work across two or three businesses simultaneously. That breadth of experience — seeing how different businesses handle the same financial challenges — means they bring a perspective and a set of best practices that a single-company hire cannot replicate. See our Financial Controller recruitment page for more detail on our broader FC practice.

Businesses approaching or exceeding £3.5m in annual revenue typically reach the point where day-to-day financial management requires dedicated senior oversight. A bookkeeper or part-qualified accountant can manage the transactional accounting, but strategic financial input — budgeting, forecasting, investor reporting, cash flow management — requires a more experienced hand.

Ahead of investment or fundraising

Businesses preparing for private equity investment, bank debt or venture capital funding need clean, investor-ready financial reporting. A part-time FC can professionalise the finance function, build the financial model, prepare the data room and support the CEO through investor meetings — at a cost appropriate for a pre-investment business.

Management buyout or acquisition

MBO situations and acquisitions require specific FC expertise — transaction experience, an understanding of deal structures, and the ability to manage financial reporting under pressure of a transaction process. FD Capital has placed part-time FCs specifically into MBO and acquisition contexts, drawing on candidates with direct transactional experience.

Post-acquisition integration

Businesses that have recently completed an acquisition often need additional finance capacity to manage the integration — combining systems, reporting structures, and finance teams. A part-time FC can manage this integration on a defined project basis without permanent headcount cost.

Our Part-Time FC Recruitment Process

FD Capital follows a structured process designed to deliver a shortlist of thoroughly assessed candidates, not a pile of CVs.

• Needs assessment — we understand your business, its stage, the scope of the FC role and the specific challenges you need the FC to address
• Candidate identification — we draw on FD Capital’s network of part-time Financial Controllers built since 2018, supplemented by targeted outreach
• Screening and evaluation — every candidate presented has been interviewed by FD Capital and assessed against your specific brief
• Shortlist — typically three to five candidates with written profiles and a specific recommendation on fit
• Placement and support — we assist with offer structuring and provide onboarding guidance

Part-Time Financial Controllers by Sector

E-commerce and retail

E-commerce businesses have specific financial challenges — cash flow tied to inventory, platform fees, international VAT complexity and rapid growth dynamics. FD Capital places part-time FCs with direct e-commerce experience. See our e-commerce FC recruitment service for more detail.

Private equity-backed businesses

PE-backed businesses require an FC who understands the reporting cadence, covenant management and value creation planning that PE ownership demands. Our part-time FCs for PE-backed businesses have direct experience of operating under investor scrutiny and producing board-quality reporting on compressed timescales.

SaaS and technology businesses

SaaS businesses have their own financial complexity — revenue recognition under subscription models, unit economics, ARR and churn reporting, and R&D tax credit claims. FD Capital’s part-time FC network includes candidates with direct SaaS experience who can manage these requirements from day one.

Owner-managed and family businesses

Owner-managed businesses often require an FC who combines technical accounting rigour with the interpersonal skills to work effectively alongside a founding family. Our candidates for this brief are chosen for their ability to build trust quickly, communicate financial information clearly to non-financial owners, and operate without the infrastructure of a larger corporate environment

Our part-time FC service sits alongside FD Capital’s broader Financial Controller practice. Related services include our fractional FC service, our interim FC service for urgent or transitional appointments, our portfolio FC service for multi-entity roles, and our group FC recruitment service for group finance controller appointments.

For businesses requiring financial oversight at a higher level than Financial Controller, our Head of Finance recruitment and Finance Director recruitment services cover those appointments.

For a full overview of all FC resources and guides, visit our Financial Controller hub.

Here are just some of the benefits

Often our team members keep some days a month spare for extra capacity so it is often the case that we have someone available for an immediate start, which is great if you have an urgent requirement.

If you are a company who is considering hiring a Financial Controller then please call us to discuss your requirements. You will be surprised how beneficial a part-time solution will be for your business.

Bringing a part-time Financial Controller (FC) on board can transform your business’s financial health by offering expert oversight and strategic insights without a full-time commitment. At FD Capital, we provide businesses with experienced part-time FCs who understand the unique financial challenges of SMEs, start-ups, and growing companies.

A part-time FC can make an immediate impact by focusing on essential financial processes like budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. By improving these key areas, your business gains clearer insights into its financial standing, enabling better decision-making. Additionally, part-time FCs can enhance operational efficiency by identifying cost-saving opportunities and optimizing resource allocation, which is invaluable for businesses that need to make every pound count.

Employing a Part-Time Financial Controller provides an ideal solution. If you are looking to move your business forward and don’t wish to pay a full-time salary, then look no further.

Assessing a part-time Financial Controller candidate requires a different framework to a full-time hire. Because the individual will be working with your business for only a fraction of the week, you need to assess not just technical competence but their ability to operate autonomously, prioritise effectively, and communicate financial information clearly to people who are not in the same room as them every day.

The key areas to probe in a part-time FC assessment are: technical accounting rigour — can they close the books accurately and on time with limited on-site presence; systems proficiency — are they comfortable working with your accounting software remotely; stakeholder management — can they build trust and credibility with the CEO and board on limited face time; and commercial awareness — do they understand the business model well enough to make their financial analysis relevant to strategic decisions.

At FD Capital we conduct structured assessments of all candidates before presenting them. We ask them to walk through a set of scenarios specific to your business — a cash flow pressure, a board reporting requirement, a due diligence request — to test their judgement under realistic conditions. Every candidate we present has passed that assessment and been matched specifically to your brief, not drawn from a generic list.

References are also central to our process. For part-time FC appointments in particular, we take references from individuals who have worked with the candidate in a part-time or portfolio capacity — not just previous full-time roles — because the working dynamic is meaningfully different and the reference needs to reflect that.

Understanding what to pay a part-time Financial Controller requires clarity on two things: the seniority of the individual and the engagement model. Part-time FCs can be engaged as employees on a pro-rata basis, as contractors on a day rate, or through a retained arrangement structured by FD Capital as part of a managed engagement.

As a broad guide for the UK market in 2026, a part-time Financial Controller working two days per week would typically cost between £28,000 and £50,000 per annum as an employee, depending on sector, seniority and location. London-based candidates with PE-backed or listed company backgrounds command the higher end of that range. For businesses outside London, the range typically falls between £22,000 and £40,000 for a two-day commitment.

On a contractor day rate basis, experienced part-time FCs typically charge between £400 and £700 per day in London and £300 to £550 per day elsewhere. Day rates at the higher end reflect individuals with Big 4 backgrounds, specific regulatory expertise, or direct experience of PE-backed environments. Day rates at the lower end are typically associated with candidates earlier in their FC career or based outside the major cities.

FD Capital advises clients on appropriate compensation structures as part of the briefing process — ensuring the package is competitive enough to attract the right candidates without being set at a level the business cannot sustain as it grows. For current market rate guidance specific to your sector and location, call 020 3287 9501.

Recruit a Part-Time Financial Controller with FD Capital

FD Capital was founded by Adrian Lawrence FCA, a Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the ICAEW with over 25 years of experience working with senior finance professionals, boards and business owners across the UK. He holds an ICAEW practising certificate in his own name. FD Capital has been placing part-time Financial Controllers since 2018. FD Capital is accredited by the Good Business Charter and is a recognised Living Wage Employer.

To discuss a part-time Financial Controller requirement, call 020 3287 9501 or complete the form on this page. Shortlists typically delivered within 3–7 working days

Call our main number on 020 3287 9501

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