Why an outsourced finance function could be the smartest move for your growing UK business
Published Friday, 7th March 2025As a growing business, you face unique challenges - managing rapid expansion, ensuring profitability, and securing the right financial expertise to support your next phase of growth. With rising National Insurance costs, wage inflation, and the ongoing recruitment challenges, does your business really need full-time hires to access the finance expertise it requires?
An Outsourced Finance Function is the cost-effective, flexible solution that supports your growth - providing you with senior finance professionals without the overheads of full-time salaries, pensions, and recruitment costs.
The true cost of hiring vs. outsourcing
Here’s a comparison of typical in-house costs, including salary, National Insurance, pension, and benefits, versus an estimated like-for-like outsourcing cost. As the comparison shows, on average, businesses can save significantly by opting for an outsourced solution, which provides the same level of expertise as hiring in-house.
Role | Base Salary (Annual) | Total Monthly In-House Cost | Outsourced Monthly Fee | Potential Monthly Saving |
---|---|---|---|---|
Finance Director | £85,000+ | £8,400+ | £6,750+ | £1,650+ |
Financial Controller | £70,000+ | £6,900+ | £5,500+ | £1,350+ |
Finance Manager | £50,000+ | £4,900+ | £3,950+ | £950+ |
Bookkeeper | £35,000+ | £3,400+ | £2,750+ | £650+ |
While significant cost savings are an obvious benefit, the true advantage lies in the strategic support you gain. Outsourcing your finance function doesn’t just save you money - it provides the agility, expertise, and scalability necessary for long-term growth.
Why more growing UK businesses are making the switch
- Dedicated client manager with access to a wider network – An outsourced finance function gives you a dedicated client manager who knows your business inside and out, but also has access to a wider network of experts - tax specialists, controllers, and more - ensuring your business benefits from broader expertise without the costs of multiple in-house hires.
- Better financial insight and visibility – Many businesses are in the dark when it comes to their financial health, leading to cash flow problems and poor decisions. An outsourced finance function ensures real-time, accurate financial data that supports better decision-making and growth, giving you the clarity you need to scale successfully.
- Proactive, continuous support – An outsourced finance function ensures dedicated support with no downtime. Businesses benefit from quick responses and proactive communication, ensuring continuity even during holidays, maternity leave, or unexpected absences. You can stay informed without worrying about missed deadlines or gaps in service, even during holidays, maternity leave, or unexpected absences.
- Harness technology to drive efficiency – An outsourced finance function uses cutting-edge technology like Xero, Dext, and Chaser to automate processes and speed up reporting. The outsourced team is constantly optimising workflows, driving efficiency, and ensuring your business stays ahead of the competition - without the overhead of in-house teams.
- Eliminate recruitment headaches and costs – The UK finance job market is competitive, and skilled professionals are in short supply. Instead of facing delays and high costs to recruit in-house, businesses can immediately access top-tier professionals with an outsourced solution.
- Flexibility and scalability for growing demands – As your business grows or fluctuates in demand, an outsourced finance function is ready to scale up or scale back. You can adjust your support based on your business needs, without the added strain of hiring or layoffs.
The bigger picture: A smarter approach to growth
With rising employment costs and a tighter recruitment market, businesses need to be strategic with their resources. An outsourced finance function isn’t just about cutting costs - it’s about building a smarter, more efficient financial operation that supports long-term success.
If you're struggling with recruitment, feeling the pressure of rising employment costs, or simply want better financial insights, we’re here to help.
Ready to take the next step? Book your free consultation with our expert team today and discover how an Outsourced Finance Function can drive your business forward - without the traditional costs.
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