UK SMEs & service businesses · Lancaster · UK-wide
Finance and tax support built for growing UK service businesses.
You've built something real. But as the business grows the financial complexity grows with it — and a basic accountant who files your returns isn't enough anymore. You need proactive financial thinking, clean numbers and someone who understands what it takes to run and scale a service business.
- Consultancies
- & professional services
- Agencies
- Creative & digital
- Contractors
- & sole traders
- 5–50+ staff
- Typical client size
Finalist — Tax Team of the Year (Small Firm)Accounting Excellence Awards 2026
- CIMA qualified
- AAT qualified
- Fixed fees, agreed on the call
- Business & property
- Lancaster · UK-wide
Who this is for
Built for service businesses at every stage.
Whether you're a solo contractor or a growing consultancy with a team — the financial challenges are real and the advice needs to match.
Consultancies
Professional services & consultancies
- Management consultants
- HR advisors
- IT consultancies
- Legal & financial services
Agencies
Creative & digital agencies
- Marketing agencies
- Design studios
- PR firms
- Project-based revenue & team costs
Contractors
Contractors & sole traders
- Independent contractors
- Freelancers
- IR35 guidance
- The most tax-efficient structure
The problem
Most growing businesses outgrow their accountant before they realise it.
A basic accountant files your returns. But as the business grows — more staff, more complexity, more decisions — you need someone who can help you understand the numbers, not just report them.
The businesses that scale well aren't necessarily the ones with the highest revenue. They're the ones who make better financial decisions — on hiring, pricing, investment and structure — with the right support behind them.
Sound familiar?
- I don't really know if the business is as profitable as it should be
- Cash always feels tighter than the revenue suggests it should be
- I'm not sure if my salary and dividend split is tax-efficient
- I want to hire but I'm not confident the numbers support it
- My accountant just files — they don't help me think ahead
- I don't know what the business is actually worth or how to exit
What we do
Everything a growing service business needs.
From basic compliance to board-level financial thinking — all under one engagement, with one point of contact.
Fractional CFO
Board-level financial leadership
- Monthly management accounts & KPI reporting
- Cashflow forecasting & scenario planning
- Budget & financial controls
- Hiring, investment & growth decisions
- Exit strategy & investor-ready reporting
Virtual Finance Office
Your complete finance function
- Bookkeeping & bank reconciliation
- Payroll & CIS
- VAT returns & compliance
- Management accounts & cashflow
- Finance team oversight
Tax advice & strategy
Proactive tax planning year-round
- Corporation tax planning & timing
- Director salary & dividend strategy
- Business structure review
- R&D tax credits where applicable
- IR35 & contractor status advice
Compliance
Clean, accurate, on time
- Annual accounts & CT600
- Self-assessment tax returns
- Companies House filing
- HMRC correspondence
- VAT registration & returns
Where you are
Support at every stage of growth.
The right level of support changes as the business grows. We scale with you.
See all services- 01
Starting out
Sole trader or new Ltd
Self-assessment, the right structure from day one, VAT registration, salary vs dividend basics and IR35 awareness.
- 02
Growing
£500k–£2m revenue
Management accounts, cashflow visibility, hiring decisions, profit extraction strategy and corporation tax planning.
- 03
Scaling
£2m+ revenue
Fractional CFO oversight, KPI dashboards, board reporting, investment decisions and building a finance function.
- 04
Exiting
Sale or succession
Exit strategy, investor-ready reporting, BADR planning, business valuation support and succession planning.
Common questions
Service businesses — your questions answered.
Everything you need to know before booking a call.
Not covered here? Ask us directly — we answer within 1–2 working days.
What size business do you typically work with?
Typically service businesses with 1–50 staff and revenue from start-up stage up to £5m+. The common thread is that they've outgrown basic compliance and need proactive financial thinking — whether that's a sole trader wanting cleaner tax planning or a £3m agency needing CFO-level support.
Do I need a Fractional CFO or a Virtual Finance Office?
A VFO covers the day-to-day finance function — bookkeeping, payroll, management accounts and compliance. A Fractional CFO goes further — strategy, forecasting, board-level thinking and growth planning. Many clients have both under one engagement. On the discovery call we'll recommend what fits your stage.
Can you help with IR35 and contractor status?
Yes — IR35 advice is part of our tax planning service. Whether you're an individual contractor assessing your own status or a business engaging contractors, we can review the position and give you a clear, practical recommendation on how to structure the engagement correctly from the start.
How is the fee structured?
All fees are fixed and agreed on the free discovery call — based on your exact situation and the level of support you need. No surprises, no hourly billing. The fee is fully tax deductible, reducing the net cost depending on your tax position.
Can you help me plan an exit or business sale?
Yes — exit planning is part of our Fractional CFO Growth level. We help with investor-ready reporting, business valuation preparation, Business Asset Disposal Relief planning and structuring the sale in the most tax-efficient way. The earlier we're involved, the more options are available.
Do you work with businesses outside Lancashire?
Yes — while we're based at Halton Mill in Lancaster, we work with service businesses across the UK. Everything is handled remotely and efficiently, with no need for regular face-to-face meetings unless you prefer them.
Get started
Ready to get finance support that grows with you?
Book a free 20-minute call with Björgvin. We'll understand your business, identify the biggest opportunities and recommend the right level of support — with a fixed fee agreed on the call.
- Free 20-minute call
- Fee agreed on the call
- No minimum contract
- CIMA & AAT qualified
