Management accounts and board reporting
Clear monthly accounts and analysis for owners and boards, so decisions are based on the real numbers.
FCA Chartered Accountant · Interim Finance Manager
Your finance function, without a full-time hire
Finance leadership for small limited companies, from a chartered accountant with many years' experience as a finance director and in audit. Available part-time, so you don't need a full-time hire.
- FCA Chartered Accountant
- Finance director and audit background
- On site or remote
What I bring
The whole finance function, run properly
Budgets, forecasts and cash flow
Forecasts and cash control that keep the business on track and avoid surprises.
Margins and cost control
Pricing, margins and overheads reviewed so more of every sale turns into profit.
Systems, controls and compliance
Finance systems, reporting and controls built from scratch or put right, with VAT, payroll, audit and banking kept in order.
Signs it's time
Does this sound like your business?
- You're busy and selling well, but cash is always tight
- You get the numbers months late, or not at all
- You're making big decisions on gut feel
- Your bookkeeper keeps the books, but nobody runs the finances
- The business has outgrown its spreadsheets and systems
- You can't justify a full-time finance manager yet
Experience
What I've done for businesses like yours
Growth to profit
Helped young companies grow into profitable businesses through planning, pricing and cost control.
Cash under control
Tightened credit control and cash management so customers paid promptly and bills were met on time.
Finance functions built
Built finance functions from the ground up, with the systems, reporting and controls to match.
How I work
Part of your team, part-time
I work as your interim finance manager, usually one day a week, on site or remotely. I report to you or your board, work in your systems and take day-to-day charge of finance under your direction.
A good fit
- Small limited companies without a finance manager
- Growing companies whose finances have outgrown the owner
- Groups of related companies that need one person across them
- Cover for a finance manager on leave or between hires
Not what I offer
- Bookkeeping as a standalone service
- Year-end accounts and tax returns
- Full-time roles
Getting started
A free call
A 30-minute chat about your business, where the finances are now and what you need. No obligation.
Agree the days and fee
We agree how many days you need and a fixed monthly fee, set out in writing before I start.
I start
I get to know your systems and people, then take day-to-day charge of the finances under your direction.
About
Ali Lewis FCA
I'm an FCA Chartered Accountant with many years' experience in audit and as a finance director of owner-managed companies, across a wide range of businesses.
I work best with small limited companies where the owner is building something and needs someone to make the numbers clear, keep the cash under control and get the company ready for its next stage.
FAQs
Common questions
How is this different from my accountant?
Your accountant prepares your year-end accounts and tax returns, looking back. I work inside your business during the year, looking forward: monthly numbers, cash, forecasts, costs and systems. You'll still need your accountant, and I'll work alongside them.
How much time will I need?
Most small companies need one day a week, and some need a day or two a month. We can change it as the business changes.
Do you work on site or remotely?
Either. Most clients have a mix: some days on site, the rest remotely in their own systems.
What does it cost?
A fixed monthly fee based on the days you need, agreed in writing before I start, so there are no surprise bills. It costs a fraction of a full-time finance manager.
Which software do you use?
I work in your systems, whether that's Xero, Sage, QuickBooks or something else. If they need changing, I'll recommend what fits and help you move.
How quickly can you start?
Usually within a couple of weeks of our first call.
Contact
Book a free, no-obligation call
Tell me a little about your business and what you need. I'll reply within one working day to arrange a 30-minute call.
alz@benefitholdings.co.uk