What is outsourced management accounting?
Ongoing, hands-on financial management from an experienced professional who joins your business: attending your meetings, understanding your numbers and producing reporting that helps you run the business, not just stay compliant.
A bookkeeper records what has already happened. A management accountant interprets it, showing what a rising overhead means for next quarter or what a slipping margin means for pricing.
Our management accounting services
Management accounts
Profit and loss and balance sheet reporting with commentary, on a schedule you can plan around.
Budgeting and forecasting
Realistic budgets and rolling forecasts to measure performance against.
Cash flow monitoring
Ongoing visibility of cash so funding gaps are flagged early.
Performance reporting
Clear explanations of where actuals diverge from budget, and why.
Overhead management
Regular reviews to catch creeping overheads before they erode margin.
KPI analysis
Tracking the metrics that matter most.
Systems implementation
Setting up or optimising Xero, QuickBooks or Sage so your data is clean and usable.
Year-end preparation
Getting your numbers ready, liaising with your external accountants or auditors.
Stakeholder reporting
Board packs and investor updates that present your numbers credibly.
How it works
Enquiry
Tell us what’s missing from your current reporting.
Free consultation
We learn about your business and systems.
Tailored proposal
A clear scope and pricing.
Onboarding and integration
We join your team and systems, typically delivering first accounts within four weeks.
Ongoing support
Regular reporting and periodic reviews.
Outsourced versus permanent hire
| Factor | Permanent hire | Outsourced management accountant |
|---|---|---|
| Annual cost | Salary, NI, pension, benefits and recruitment fees | One predictable fee, scaled to need |
| Flexibility | Fixed hours regardless of workload | Scales monthly or quarterly |
| Onboarding time | Weeks to months | Typically under four weeks to first accounts |
| Continuity risk | Exposed to turnover, holidays and sickness | Backed by a team, not one person |
| Expertise | One person’s experience | A broader team’s combined experience |
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s Discuss Your Requirements
Have a question about our services? Speak with our team to discuss your engagement, deadlines and the support you need.
What Does a Management Accountant Do?
A management accountant prepares and interprets financial information to support day-to-day decisions. This includes monthly accounts, budgets, forecasts, variance analysis and KPIs. Where a bookkeeper records what has already happened, a management accountant explains what it means, such as what a rising overhead means for next quarter or what a slipping margin means for pricing. The aim is to help you run the business, not just stay compliant.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost depends on the scope of work and the number of days needed each month. It is usually significantly cheaper than a permanent hire once all employment costs are included, such as salary, National Insurance, pension, benefits and recruitment fees. You pay one predictable fee that scales to your needs. We can give you a clear scope and price in a tailored proposal after a free consultation.
Can You Work With My Existing Software?
Yes. We work with Xero, QuickBooks and Sage, so there is no need to change your current setup. If your systems are not producing clean, usable data, we can also help set them up or optimise them. This makes sure your reporting is built on reliable information.
Do I Still Need a Separate Accountant for Year-End and Tax?
Often, yes. We work alongside your existing accountant and liaise with them on statutory filings. Our role is to give you accurate monthly reporting, budgets and cash flow visibility, while they handle the compliance side. We can also help prepare your numbers for year-end and liaise with your external accountants or auditors.
How Quickly Can You Deliver the First Set of Accounts?
We typically deliver first accounts within four weeks of onboarding. This is much quicker than hiring a permanent employee, which can take weeks to months. Once we are up and running, you receive regular reporting on a schedule you can plan around. We start with a free consultation and a tailored proposal, then join your team and systems.
What Is the Difference Between a Bookkeeper and a Management Accountant?
A bookkeeper records what has already happened in your business. A management accountant interprets those records and shows what they mean for the future. For example, they can explain what a slipping margin means for pricing. The two roles work well together, with the bookkeeper keeping the records and the management accountant turning them into decisions.
What Happens If My In-House Person Is Sick or Leaves?
An outsourced management accountant is backed by a team rather than relying on one person. This reduces continuity risk from turnover, holidays and sickness, which affect a permanent hire. You also benefit from the combined experience of a broader team, rather than just one individual’s experience. Your reporting continues without interruption.
Can you Help With Board Packs and Investor Updates?
Yes. Our stakeholder reporting includes board packs and investor updates that present your numbers credibly. Alongside this, we provide management accounts with commentary, budgeting and forecasting, cash flow monitoring, performance reporting and KPI analysis. This gives you the information you need to make decisions and explain performance to others.