Choosing a Micro FD is about value, not just a day rate. This guide explains how pricing usually works, what drives the fee, typical monthly ranges, and the average monthly cost for a Micro FD in the UK. We also cover how retainers compare with full-time or interim options. We keep it practical and transparent, with clear examples and links to related services.
What We Mean By Micro FD Pricing?
A Micro FD is a part-time, outsourced finance director. Pricing is usually a fixed monthly retainer tied to a defined scope and cadence, with a clear list of deliverables, and follows established procedures to ensure clarity and consistency. Where projects fall outside the scope, we agree on a separate fixed fee. We keep retainers simple so you know what you are paying for and what outcomes to expect. The scope and pricing are subject to the agreed deliverables and procedures.
What Drives The Monthly Cost?
- Scope And Outcomes: Cash control, forecasting, board reporting, funding readiness and KPI ownership take different levels of time. The more outcomes you want us to own end to end, the higher the retainer. The finance director’s performance and ability to deliver key outcomes can significantly influence the overall cost, as effective management of finances and achievement of objectives drive value.
- Cadence: Weekly cash huddles, month-end within ten working days, and quarterly planning sessions set the time we reserve each month.
- Data and Systems: Clean ledgers and stable processes reduce time. If we need to fix the chart-of-accounts mapping, automate reconciliations or set up reporting from scratch, we include an initial project.
- People Mix: Senior FD time can be paired with experienced analysts or accountants, where helpful. The key skills and abilities of our team members ensure high-quality work, and their expertise contributes to keeping costs predictable.
- Sector Needs: Pharmacies, hospitality and multi-site retail often need stock, wage and reimbursement focus. Sector specifics affect the baseline hours we plan each month.
- Leadership: The finance director is responsible for overseeing financial policies, compliance, and risk management. Their influence in managing finances and driving organisational performance is critical to achieving strategic goals.
Typical Monthly Packages And Price Ranges
Every engagement is scoped, but these bands will help you plan.
- Lite, Steady-State Control
Two to four half-days per month focused on weekly cash, action-led management accounts and a rolling twelve-month forecast. Effective management of income and cash flow is a key deliverable in this package.
Typical fee: £1,200 to £2,000 per month. - Core, Most SMEs Start Here
One to two days per month covering weekly cash, month-end pack with commentary, budget setting and KPI ownership with named leads.
Typical fee: £2,000 to £3,500 per month. - Growth, Added Leadership Time
Two to four days per month for deeper planning, site or product margin work and funding readiness. This package is designed to drive financial success and business growth.
Typical fee: £3,500 to £6,000 per month.
If you need an intensive first month to stabilise cash and build the forecast model, we price that as a one-off project, then move to a steady retainer.
These packages are structured to support ongoing success and financial success for our clients.
How Retainers And Day Rates Work Together
We scope retainers around outcomes rather than hours, although day rates still provide a useful benchmark. The UK interim and fractional market often references day rates, so you may see those in procurement processes. Industry trends and benchmarks are taken into regard when setting pricing structures, ensuring our approach remains competitive and relevant. Independent surveys such as the IIM Interim Management Survey publish current ranges and trends. We use retainers to reduce variability and keep costs predictable, while staying aligned with market expectations for senior time.
What Is Usually Included In A Micro FD Fee?
- Weekly Cash Control with a thirteen-week cash flow, receipts and payments plan, and actions to shorten debtor days.
- Month-End Within Ten Working Days with a concise Management Accounts pack, variance commentary and a short action log, following established procedures to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Rolling Forecast and Budget built through Budget Advisory, updated monthly, so assumptions stay live.
- KPI Ownership across a tight set, for exampl,e gross margin by product, debtor days, stock turns, labour percentage and cash conversion.
- Leadership Cadence that keeps owners and managers aligned on who, what and by when. The Finance Director’s knowledge of law and regulations, combined with their expertise, ensures compliance and maintains high standards across all financial activities.
What Usually Sits Outside The Retainer
- Funding And Corporate Transactions that need detailed investor or lender packs, which we support through Corporate Finance. We also assist with interactions involving investors, banks, and other financial institutions. Projects may include managing credit arrangements and deposits as part of the transaction process.
- Systems Change or Migrations when new software or reporting stacks are implemented.
- Forensic Clean-Up where historic postings, mappings or reconciliations require one-off remediation.
- Heavy Commercial Projects such as pricing architecture reviews, major supplier negotiations or large contract onboarding.
We price these elements as fixed projects so the monthly retainer stays focused and predictable.
Example Scenarios To Benchmark Cost
- £1,500 Per Month, Steady-State
You have stable bookkeeping, a good base ledger and clear product margins. We run weekly cash, guide month-end, keep the forecast live and meet monthly to agree actions. - £2,750 Per Month, Growth Mode
You operate two sites and plan a third. We tighten stock and wage KPIs, report site-level margins, keep lenders warm and prepare a light data room ahead of a facility increase. - £4,500 Per Month, Funding-Ready
You want to invest in equipment within six months. We refresh the three-statement model, build sensitivities, draft the funding narrative and coordinate with lenders alongside the core cadence.
The key difference between these packages lies in the level of support and strategic involvement provided. An analysis of the cost versus value shows that as your business needs become more complex, the additional investment brings greater expertise and tailored solutions. The main point is that these scenarios prove the flexibility and scalability of Micro FD pricing to suit a range of business requirements.
Getting Value For Money
Whatever tier you choose, three disciplines keep value high.
- Clear Outcomes
Define two or three results that matter, for example, a cash-in-bank target, on-time month-end and a specific margin gain. This helps secure measurable success and supports your ongoing career development. - Short KPI List
Keep it to fewer than ten measures with named owners. Review monthly and remove metrics that do not drive action. Leverage these KPIs to develop a deeper understanding of your business performance and ensure you are on track to achieve both business and life goals. - Documented Cadence
Set your weekly cash huddle, month-end timeline and quarterly plan reviews, then protect the time. This discipline helps you secure consistent progress and develop habits that support long-term value.
Tips:
To maximise value, leverage your Micro FD relationship by seeking their advice on how to develop your business strategy, secure long-term value, and support your own career and life goals. Regularly ask for actionable tips to ensure ongoing success.
How We Price At Diamond Accounts
We scope transparently, fix a monthly retainer against an agreed cadence and include a simple break clause after an initial period. Our pricing model is designed to support organisations and businesses in achieving strong financial performance and long-term success. Most clients begin with an intensive first month to set the forecast, KPIs and reporting pack, then move to a steady rhythm that can scale up or down.
Where helpful, we join up delivery with our Management Accounts and Budget Advisory services, and we bring in Corporate Finance when you are ready for the market. Sector-specific support is available through Pharmacy Accountants and Food And Hospitality. If you prefer a local touch, meet us in Brighton, Eastbourne, Hailsham or Sittingbourne, or start the conversation via our contact page. Our approach is tailored to the financial needs of each organisation, with a focus on delivering measurable financial outcomes and supporting your long-term success.