Inside the World of a Fractional Finance Director

Debbie Hancock gives us insight into a day behind the scenes of a Fractional Finance Director

The term Fractional Finance Director might still be a bit of a mystery to some, but for many growing businesses, it’s becoming one of the smartest, most flexible ways to access senior financial leadership without the commitment of a full-time hire. 

So, what exactly does a Fractional FD do? And what does a typical day (if there is such a thing) look like in this role? Let’s take a look behind the scenes. 

What Is a Fractional Finance Director? 

In simple terms, a Fractional Finance Director is a highly experienced finance professional who works with businesses on a part-time, project, or interim basis. Think of it as having your own FD in the business, someone who helps shape financial strategy, manage risk, improve cash flow, and support decision-making, but without the need to hire full-time. 

It’s a flexible, cost-effective way for businesses to access senior financial expertise as and when they need it, whether that’s one day a week, a few days a month, or for a specific project like preparing for investment or navigating a tough financial period. 

But it’s about more than just the numbers. 

A good Fractional FD isn’t just a spreadsheet whizz, they become a trusted partner for the business owner or CEO, asking the questions others won’t, and challenging decision-making when habits, fears or limiting beliefs might be holding the business back. 

A Day in the Life of a Fractional FD 

One of the things I love most about this role is the freedom to design a working day that works for both my clients and my family. My day starts with the school run at 8:30am, dropping my son off before heading home to start work. 

Here’s what a typical day might look like for me: 

8:45am: Go for a walk to transition between mum life and FD life.  

9:00am: Settle in with a tea and check emails. Review overnight updates from clients, monitor cash flow positions, and prep for the day’s meetings. 

9:30am: Virtual finance meeting with a leadership team. We’re reviewing quarterly performance, analysing profit margins by service line, and discussing adjustments for the next quarter. This isn’t just about reporting numbers back, it’s about interpreting them, spotting patterns, and sometimes gently (or firmly) challenging the CEO on the assumptions they’ve made or the decisions driven by habit rather than strategy. 

11:00am: Work on a cash flow forecast for a growing business preparing for a new product launch. I spot a shortfall in Month 3 and present a few options to manage it. Part of my role here is coaching the business owner through the financial implications of their plans and helping them balance ambition with risk, pushing them where needed, but also helping them get out of their own way when old habits creep in. 

12:30pm: Quick working lunch while reviewing a pricing strategy for a client who’s been undercharging for years, driven by a fear of losing customers. I draft a phased increase plan and some positioning suggestions for their client communications, alongside a note to tackle the mindset behind their pricing decisions in our next conversation. 

1:00pm: Quick stretch of the legs and some movement, ensuring I am focussed for my next meeting.  

1:30pm: Strategy session with a business owner considering expanding into a new market. We run through financial models and scenario planning, but also dig into what’s really behind their decision. Is it driven by opportunity, or pressure to keep up with competitors? Are they chasing turnover for ego, or focusing on profitable growth? These conversations are where the finance-meets-coaching element of my role comes to life. 

2:30pm: Final check of emails, follow-ups and tomorrow’s to-do list before closing the laptop. 

2:45pm: School run time. I pick my son up and switch off from work to focus on family and being the taxi driver! My working day is shorter than it was in corporate life, but the beauty of being a Fractional FD is the ability to deliver real impact for clients while designing a working pattern that suits my life too. 

How It Helps Businesses 

For business owners, working with a Fractional FD isn’t about adding another layer of reporting or someone pointing out what they already know. It’s about having a trusted financial partner who can: 

• Bring clarity to the numbers 

• Turn financial data into actionable insights 

• Help plan for growth while managing risk 

• Challenge decisions and habits that are no longer serving the business 

• Improve cash flow, profitability and financial confidence 

• Act as a sounding board for both strategic decisions and financial mindset blocks 

It’s about moving from reactive to proactive financial leadership, and that can be transformational. 

Final Thoughts 

The world of a Fractional Finance Director is fast-paced, varied, and hugely rewarding. It’s about making a tangible difference to businesses who need senior financial expertise, but don’t need a full-time FD. 

For me, it’s given me the chance to build a career around my family, work with incredible clients, and combine financial strategy with coaching-led leadership to help business owners not just improve their numbers, but how they think about and approach money. 

If you’re a business owner considering how financial leadership could help you scale with confidence, or a finance professional curious about stepping into the fractional world yourself, it’s a path well worth exploring.