Agile, cost-effective 'virtual' finance director firm launches

By TWA Marketing and Communications

06 Oct 2020

Companies that require the support of a Finance Director, but can do without the steep overheads of hiring a full-time FD, can now take advantage of a new, agile model of finance leadership.

As a Lancashire-based business created in the height of lockdown, Virtual Finance Director Service (VFDS) aims to provide targeted finance leadership, delivering a lifeline for businesses facing today’s challenging business landscape.

VFDS is a strategic, forward-thinking partner, which delivers personalised solutions to support businesses of all sizes – from start-ups and SMEs to large corporations.

VFDS works closely with owner-directors, senior management teams and C-suite leaders across wide-ranging organisations, providing the insight and guidance of an in-house Finance Director or CFO, but delivering this service via a cost-effective model, with an approach that is tailored to the needs of the individual business.

Now accepting new clients, VFDS currently supports businesses across sectors both in the north-west and further afield, with core service areas including cashflow planning, assessment and realignment of business models for responsiveness in the current unpredictable climate, month-end reporting and presentations to board, full report analysis and recommendations, process mapping and more.

It is also launching an all-new mentoring service, ideal for companies with a Financial Controller already in place who would benefit from mentoring, training and development. VFDS serves as an expert who will review reports before they are submitted to the board, and help is always just a call away.

Through VFDS, businesses can also access financial specialists so that whatever area of financial guidance is required, from financial modelling to R&D tax credits , VFDS is a one-stop shop.

Founder and director of VFDS Paul Collis comments: “Traditionally, the Finance Director or CFO role is associated with immense businesses, but it’s my belief that you’re never too small to have a finance leader on a part-time basis, whether they work with you one day per month or one week per month.

“Many companies, particularly those which are young and emerging, don’t need a full-time finance team, so through VFDS they have the benefit of making huge savings. We offer greater flexibility, will all the services of a traditional FD, and clients get a lot of value from that.”

Bespoke finance leadership is in high demand – particularly in the era of Covid-19. Paul and his team enable businesses to remain agile, as one of the strengths of VFDS is the ability to have all scenarios on their radar, while remaining an asset and a resource which is on hand whenever needed. VFDS provides flexibility, and proves that you don’t have to be a top-tier multinational to benefit from a forward-looking finance leader.

“While the typical accountant may look backwards, VFDS works to assess where the company is now,” adds Paul. “We work side by side with the business to plot points which will help it to progress towards its objectives. Whether the business is a start-up, an SME looking to expand or a medium-sized business looking to augment their current finance team, we provide that flexible short-term or ongoing solution on a case by case basis.

“In the wake of Covid-19, businesses are in survival mode, and they all have to look at their cash reserves. Many companies are having to assess their cashflow and make tough decisions quickly. They may be getting government loans and grants and trying to figure out whether to put it in reserves, use it to invest and expand, or use it to keep afloat. Cashflow can be impacted quickly, and be subject to significant fluctuations from week to week, such as when a region or area goes into lockdown and businesses are affected.”

Latest news

1

Growth Plan maps out £20bn-plus investment journey Mo Isap from the Lancashire Business Board with the plan

Growth Plan maps out £20bn-plus investment journey

18 Sep 2025

2

Post Office future secured as council explores new options Abington Street Post Office

Post Office future secured as council explores new options

17 Sep 2025

3

Airframe Designs supports new defence strategy with pledge to nurture talent Jerrod Hartley

Airframe Designs supports new defence strategy with pledge to nurture talent

17 Sep 2025

4

Fox Group makes second acquisition since Stellex Capital backing Roger Thistlethwaite, managing director NMS Civil Engineering Limited. Paul Fox, CEO Fox Group. John Flood, Executive Director Fox Group

Fox Group makes second acquisition since Stellex Capital backing

17 Sep 2025

5

Villa at Wrea Green bought for £3.6m by Haythornthwaite family The Villa Wrea Green courtesy of The Villa Wrea Green

Villa at Wrea Green bought for £3.6m by Haythornthwaite family

16 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Ladies Lunch
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
18 Sep 2025 - 18 Sep 2025

Ladies Lunch

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

12:00 - 16:00

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day
MTD drop in session.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day, Blackburn, BB1 5QB

10:00 - 16:00

The Marketing Metrics That Matter – Sept 25
Metris 25.09.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Metrics That Matter – Sept 25

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin