How we work
Every term of the engagement, before you call us.
The same clear process applies across CFO Services, Strategy & Finance Consulting, Managed Finance Services and Accountancy Practice Support.
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 upfront rather than doing the work and then invoicing for it.
Engagement
Clear terms, upfront
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
| 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
A free call
About 45 minutes to establish what you need. No charge and no obligation.
A written proposal
Scope, team and a fixed price, in writing. Also free.
You decide
If the proposal works, we agree the terms.
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, consulting, managed finance and practice-support 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 working days, 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 you add a service pillar or need more capacity, we agree the change with you before it happens. The same applies when the scope reduces.
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 the 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.