TL;DR
Part-time finance director cost UK 2026 typically starts at about £1,795 per month for a clearly scoped senior finance brief, with the final fee rising when you need more days, turnaround work, fundraising support or hands-on team management. The right comparison is not a part-time salary divided by five: it is the cost of the leadership capacity your business needs, measured against the fully loaded cost and commitment of a permanent hire.
Budget for a defined monthly service, agree the outcomes, and review the time requirement as the business changes. Last updated: 27 August 2026.
Part-time finance director cost UK 2026 is a live question for founders and MDs who have outgrown basic bookkeeping but are not ready for a full-time FD. You may have an accountant producing year-end accounts, a finance manager keeping the ledger moving, and still lack a senior person who can tell the board what the numbers mean and what to do next.
The decision is usually triggered by growth, a cash squeeze, a lender conversation, a planned acquisition or the need to make the finance function more reliable. A part-time FD gives you access to experienced judgement for the days that matter, without committing to a permanent salary, recruitment process and employment package before the need is proven.
There is no official price list for part-time finance directors. Compare the fee with the scope, start date and whether the brief is strategic, operational or both.
What does a part-time finance director do?
A part-time finance director provides senior financial leadership on a recurring basis. They turn accounts and operational data into a forward view of cash, margin, working capital, risk and investment. The role can include board reporting, budgeting, rolling forecasts, pricing decisions, funding preparation, financial controls and leadership of the existing finance team.
The scope should be clear about the difference between an FD and a bookkeeper. A bookkeeper records transactions; an FD helps the leadership team decide where to invest, what to stop, and how much headroom the business has. That is why part-time finance director cost UK 2026 should be judged against decisions improved, not simply hours supplied. ICAEW’s finance careers guide describes the FD or CFO as the senior finance role, responsible for strategic direction, forecasting, risk and board or stakeholder reporting.
A part-time appointment can be permanent in purpose even when it is not full-time in hours. ICAEW’s portfolio CFO guidance notes that SME assignments can range from a day a month to several days a week, depending on complexity. That flexibility is what makes the model useful: capacity can increase around a funding round or fall once a finance manager is properly supported.
Part-time finance director cost UK 2026: what does the fee include?
A monthly fee normally reflects four things: the seniority of the director, the number of days or sessions reserved, the complexity of the business, and the result expected. A business asking for a board pack and cash forecast needs a different brief from one needing a finance-function reset, acquisition support or a lender-ready model.
For planning, treat £1,795 per month as a starting point, then ask for options at one, two and four days per month. A wider brief can run to several thousand pounds. Confirm whether VAT, travel, software, specialist advice and project work are included, and whether unused time rolls forward.
A permanent FD also costs more than the advertised salary. The Robert Half 2026 UK finance and accounting salary guide places a finance director at £89,750 to £138,000 across its 25th to 75th percentiles. On top of salary, an employer must consider National Insurance, pension, benefits, recruitment, notice and the time required to build the relationship. From 6 April 2026, GOV.UK lists the standard employer National Insurance rate as 15% above the secondary threshold, subject to the rules and reliefs that apply.
- Leadership time: board advice, decision support and challenge for the MD.
- Reporting: concise monthly management accounts, variance commentary and actions.
- Cash control: a rolling forecast, debtor focus and early warning of funding pressure.
- Commercial analysis: customer, project, product or contract margin visibility.
- Change work: finance-system improvement, process design or preparation for a transaction.
- People support: coaching the finance manager and clarifying responsibilities with the accountant.
How to decide whether the cost is justified
Start with the decision that is currently too expensive, too slow or too risky. If the MD cannot explain the next 13 weeks of cash, the first deliverable may be a forecast and weekly cash rhythm. If gross margin is unclear, the FD may begin with customer or project profitability. If funding is the issue, the priority may be a credible model, management pack and lender narrative.
Imagine a £5m turnover services business growing quickly. The bookkeeping is current, but month-end takes six weeks and the founders are approving work without seeing margin. A part-time FD could establish a close timetable, introduce a 13-week cash forecast, agree a small set of board measures and coach the finance manager. The value is not the number of hours bought; it is earlier decisions, fewer surprises and a finance function the company can scale.
Use a simple payback test. List the avoidable costs or opportunities the FD can influence: an overdue debtor book, an underpriced contract, excess stock, delayed billing, an unnecessary hire or a funding decision made with weak information. Do not promise that every fee will produce a measurable saving. Instead, ask whether the quality and speed of decisions justify the monthly commitment.
How to choose a part-time finance director
Look for experience at the stage and scale you are entering, not just a long list of qualifications. Ask for examples of improving cash visibility, supporting a board, working with lenders and making a finance team more effective. Sector knowledge matters where revenue recognition, project margins, stock, regulation or recurring revenue materially affects the numbers.
Speed of start is part of the cost. A director who can begin within one week may be more useful than a cheaper candidate available after a long notice period. Agree the first 30 days and meeting rhythm. Pricing should be transparent, with no long-term tie-in unless both sides want one, and should state what is included and what counts as extra project work.
For a defined brief, see the part-time finance director service and ask for a practical discussion about scope. A good provider should be comfortable saying that you need a finance manager, controller or specialist adviser instead if that is the better fit.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a part-time finance director cost in the UK in 2026?
A focused part-time finance director service can start from £1,795 per month. The actual fee depends on days required, business complexity and whether the work is ongoing leadership or a defined project such as fundraising, acquisition preparation or a finance-function reset. Ask for a scope-led monthly quote rather than comparing day rates alone.
Is a part-time FD cheaper than a full-time finance director?
It can be, particularly when the business needs senior judgement for one to four days a month rather than five days a week. A full-time comparison should include employer National Insurance, pension, benefits, recruitment and the cost of unused capacity, not just salary. The correct choice depends on the work that must be done and how consistently it is needed.
What is the difference between a part-time FD and an outsourced accountant?
An outsourced accountant usually focuses on compliance, accounts and tax work, while a part-time FD sits closer to the leadership team and helps make commercial and financial decisions. The roles can work together: the accountant protects accuracy and compliance, while the FD uses reliable information to guide cash, margin, funding and growth.
How many days per month does a small business need an FD?
Many small businesses can begin with a regular day each week or a smaller monthly commitment, then increase it during a transaction or period of change. Define the board calendar, reporting cycle and urgent priorities, then match capacity to those outputs. Review after 60 to 90 days rather than locking in time indefinitely.
What should a part-time FD deliver in the first month?
The first month should create visibility and a sensible plan. Typical outputs include a review of the ledger and reporting, a cash forecast, a list of immediate risks, agreed board measures and a prioritised roadmap for the finance function. The exact deliverables should be written into the engagement before work begins.
Ready to find your part-time finance director?
Leadership Services can introduce an experienced part-time finance director who starts within one week, backed by a network of 500+ directors, from £1,795 per month, with a same-working-day response and no long-term tie-ins. Tell us what is changing in your business, what the numbers are not yet telling you and when you need help; we will suggest the right level of support.
