How we work
Every term of the engagement,before you call us.
Most firms take two meetings to tell you this. Here it is on one page.
Before you commit
What is free and what is not
The first call is free. About 45 minutes. You set out what you need; we set out how we would handle it.
The written proposal is free. Scope, team, timings and price, in writing, with no obligation.
Detailed work is not. A detailed review of your books, your accounts or your figures is part of the paid engagement and begins once you have signed. We say so up front rather than doing the work and then invoicing for it.
Engagement
Clear terms, up front
Nothing buried in the small print. This is the whole of what you are agreeing to.
- First call
- Free
- Written proposal and scope
- Free
- Standard start
- 1–2 weeks
- Urgent start
- A few days
- Bigger, more complex work
- 2–4 weeks
- Minimum term, ongoing work
- 6 months
- Notice after that
- 30 days
- We acknowledge your question in
- 1 working day
- We answer it in
- 1–2 working days
- Notice for extra help at busy times
- 2–4 weeks
Getting started
How it starts
01
A free call
About 45 minutes to establish what you need. No charge and no obligation.
02
A written proposal
Scope, team and a fixed price, in writing. Also free.
03
You decide
If the proposal works, we agree the terms.
04
Your team starts
Usually within one to two weeks. Faster if it is urgent.
On timings
How quickly we start depends on the scope, the time it requires and who is available.
For standard CFO, finance and advisory work, one to two weeks from the first conversation to a signed scope is normal. Urgent work can sometimes start within a few days. Larger engagements that need a detailed scope, a handover from someone else, or a dedicated team take two to four weeks.
On answering you
Routine questions are acknowledged within one working day and answered within one to two, depending on what you have asked.
Urgent matters are prioritised. If you need a specific response time written into the engagement, say so and we will agree it as part of the scope.
On price
Flexible engagement models, sized to the work. We agree the scope first and put a fixed figure against it in writing.
Team size, turnaround times and everything in scope are set out before you sign anything.
On scaling the work
If what you need grows, we agree the change with you before it happens. If it shrinks, the same applies.
At busy times you can add capacity with two to four weeks' notice. After that, scale back without carrying permanent cost.
On leaving
Ongoing managed work carries a six-month minimum term, then 30 days' written notice at any time.
Project and transaction work has its own terms, set out in that proposal.
Start with a free call
Tell us what you need. You get our approach and our fee in writing, with no obligation and no charge for either.