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

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 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
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

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

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

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 LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin