Signals from the board, the cash flow and the management team, and what changes when stronger finance leadership is introduced.
Why this matters
Finance leadership shapes how decisions are made, how performance is measured and how investors, lenders and the board are kept informed. The right appointment, at the right time, changes the trajectory of the business.
Signals from the board
- Board packs that focus on history rather than decisions
- Recurring questions about cash, margin or working capital that cannot be answered quickly
- Forecasts that are produced infrequently and rarely revisited
- No clear owner of financial strategy at board level
Signals from the cash flow
- Profitable months coinciding with tight cash
- Surprises in VAT, payroll or corporation tax payments
- Slow visibility on debtor and creditor positions
- Funding requirements that are identified too late
Practical steps
- Decide whether the need is for fractional, interim or permanent leadership
- Define the role around the decisions the business needs to make better
- Make sure the underlying finance function can support a senior leader
- Set clear expectations for reporting, planning and board engagement
How Bracknwell Partners can help
Through fractional finance and CFO advisory, we provide senior finance leadership for growing businesses that need stronger direction without a full time hire.