Outsourced Finance

Outsourced Finance for Growing SMEs

Xero Platinum Partner
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For Ambitious SMEs

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Why Outsourced Finance Works

Get a calm, complete finance function without hiring in-house. We combine bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, management accounts and board-level finance into one joined-up service, so you can make faster, better decisions. Best of all, it’s cheaper than hiring someone in-house and you’ll also have a full team at your disposal.

Outsourced finance department online

Tidy, centralised, under control

If your finance bits are all over the place, things tend to slip. Our outsourced service puts everything under one roof:

  • One point of contact to support your business whenever you need it
  • One dashboard to make reporting simple, reliant on up to date figures so you can always see how your business is performing.
  • Regular check-ins to analyse your numbers and help put in place changes to help you achieve your goals.

The result: everything in one place, a greater understanding of the numbers and a team that becomes a part of your business.

Cogs - outsourced finance metaphor

All Your Finance Needs in One Place

Here’s the scope, delivered as one joined-up service:

  • Bookkeeping & bank reconciliations

  • Sales invoicing & accounts receivable, including credit control/collections

  • Supplier bills & accounts payable, including payment runs and approvals

  • Payroll, PAYE and pensions, to ensure staff are paid on time

  • VAT returns (MTD), including partial exemption and group VAT

  • Monthly management accounts with clear commentary

  • Cash-flow forecasting and scenario planning

  • Budgeting & variance analysis, including rolling forecasts

  • KPI dashboards & board-level reports tailored to your business

  • Year-end liaison with auditors and statutory accounts preparation

  • Corporation tax coordination and R&D tax relief support

  • CFO support for fundraising, lender reporting and ad-hoc projects

 

Outsourced finance team

Can we keep using our current systems?

Although we are a Xero first firm, there are some instances where we use other accounting software.

We always encourage our clients to use Xero, as it not only speaks the language of business owners but also has an impressive app infrastructure that integrates seamlessly. This means your accounting function can be scalable, with everything from receipt scanning, invoice chasing, and cash flow forecasting all in one place.  We’ve also handled hundreds of conversions to Xero from other platforms, it’s a common first step in the onboarding process. However, we do have some clients who use other software, so get in touch to find out how we could work together.

Will I still see what's happening?

Of course, you will get a customised dashboard with all the KPIS you'd like to track, a monthly pack and regular check-ins to discuss progress.

The point of outsourced finance is that we become a part of your business in the same way that a permanent member of staff would. We want to empower your team to understand the numbers in jargon-free terms, with full visibility at all times. You’ll have:

  • A named Finance Manager, shared inbox, and clear points of contact

  • Regular check-ins

  • A simple live dashboard plus a consistent monthly report you’ll actually read

  • Rolling cashflow forecast so you know where you’re up to

  • Real-time access to  Xero

  • A tidy approvals flow so you can see what’s awaiting sign-off and what’s paid

  • Agreed response times for queries and a clear escalation route to a senior accountant/CFO

In short: you keep control and clarity; we do the heavy lifting and make the numbers easy to act on.

Can we keep some tasks in-house?

Yes, common splits are invoicing or bill approvals in-house, with bookkeeping and close handled by us.

Every business is different but some teams may already have bookkeeping in place, or perhaps they have an existing payroll team. The point of outsourcing is that we want to be a useful addition to your team, slotting in however works best for you.

How do we switch from our current accountant/bookkeeper?

We manage the handover: request data, collect working papers, map balances, and agree a start date, so you don’t have to chase.

We handle this all the time; it’s a part of our onboarding process, so rest assured, it will be carried out effectively. To get started, we’ll ask for the essentials: read-only bank access or recent statements, access to your accounting/payroll tools (e.g., Xero/QBO), your latest trial balance and prior working papers, customer and supplier lists with any open invoices/bills, VAT and payroll details (including deadlines), HMRC agent authorisations, and key contacts for approvals.

What Our Clients Say: Leopold Forest

I have been using A&L for my business since launch for more than 2 years and it has been working very efficient. They are very proficient in using the latest technologies, from helping me with my accounts, managing better my costs, helping with my payroll, but also on the legal side, helping me understand better legal documents and registering my trademark. A big praise to Sam Millward, who has been overseeing my account very well there. Cannot recommend more !

Business Plan discussion

Emma Williams - Seene Digital

Accounts and Legal have been fantastic to work with over the last few years. Kath Meehan-Lacitignola, who handles our bookkeeping, is incredibly thorough, efficient and friendly. She’s quick to respond, genuinely cares and is always ready to help with any question. Special thanks to Jack Dawber-Axon, Senior Manager, who is our go-to for tax and accounting queries. Jack is exceptionally talented, thinks outside the box and has been instrumental in increasing our tax efficiency & saving us money. Both Kath and Jack make a real difference to our business.

Business Plan meeting

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