Virtual CFO Services
Strategic Financial Leadership Without the Full-Time Cost.
Overview
As a growing company, hiring a full-time Chief Financial Officer can be a heavy overhead. SCORE's Virtual CFO Service bridges this gap. We provide you with high-level strategic guidance, cash flow planning, and investor-readiness — at a fraction of the cost of a full-time executive.
Who this service is for
A virtual CFO suits a company that needs senior financial judgement but not a full-time executive. Typically that is a startup between seed and Series B, an SME with revenue between Rs 5 crore and Rs 50 crore, or a family business professionalising before the next generation takes over.
The work is hands-on. We sit in the monthly review, talk to the bank and the investors, and take responsibility for the numbers that go to the board. What we do not do is duplicate a controller's job.
What we do
Cash Flow Management
Investor Readiness
ESOP Advisory
Global Expansion
How the engagement works
-
Diagnostic
We review the books, cash position, compliance status and reporting pack, then agree the three or four priorities for the first 90 days.
-
Cash and controls
A rolling 13-week cash forecast, a payment approval matrix and a monthly close checklist are put in place first. Without these, every other improvement is fragile.
-
Reporting rhythm
We design the monthly board pack, agree the metrics and run the review. The pack includes actuals against budget, a cash view and the decisions needed.
-
Fundraising and board support
For a raise, we build the model, prepare the data room and manage the diligence questions. For an existing board, we prepare the papers and attend the meeting with you.
-
Scale or hand over
As the team grows, we document the processes, train the controller and reduce our involvement. A good virtual CFO works towards being less necessary, not more.
What you can expect
You get a finance partner who knows the business, a reporting rhythm the board trusts and a cash forecast that is updated rather than discovered. The engagement should make the next hire, the next round or the next bank review noticeably easier.
Frequently asked questions
What does a virtual CFO do?
A virtual CFO owns the financial strategy and reporting rhythm: budgets, cash forecasts, board packs, lender and investor communication, pricing and margin analysis. The role is part-time and senior, focused on decisions rather than day-to-day entries. It is a retained role, not a one-off report.
How is a virtual CFO different from an accountant?
An accountant records transactions and files returns. A virtual CFO interprets the numbers, sets the reporting framework and sits with management to make decisions. Most companies need both, and we are clear about which hat we are wearing.
How many days a month do we get?
Most engagements start with four to six days a month, including one review meeting and availability for calls. The commitment is reviewed each quarter and adjusted to what the business needs. Extra days are agreed in advance rather than billed as a surprise.
Can you help with fundraising?
Yes. We build the financial model, prepare the data room, review the cap table with your lawyer and manage the diligence questions. We also help rehearse the board presentation, which is often where the round is won or lost.
Do you replace our finance team?
No. We work with your accountant, controller and bookkeeper, and we set the standards they work to. If the team is thin, we help recruit and train before handing the routine work back. The aim is a stronger in-house team, not a permanent dependency.
How do you handle confidentiality?
We sign an NDA, restrict access to the engagement team, use your systems rather than copies where possible and follow a documented data retention policy. Access is removed when the engagement ends. Any third party involved in the work signs the same undertaking.
What does it cost?
Fees depend on the scope, the state of the books and the number of entities, and are quoted as a monthly retainer. The proposal sets out what is included and what is billed separately, so there are no surprises.
When should we hire a full-time CFO?
When the finance function needs daily leadership, the company has multiple entities or a full transaction programme, or the board expects an executive presence. We usually help write the role and sit on the interview panel. Until then, a retained CFO is the cheaper and more flexible option.
Do you help with MIS for a multi-entity group?
Yes. We consolidate the entities into one reporting pack with a common chart of accounts, eliminate inter-company balances and show each entity separately. The pack covers the group position, the cash across entities and the decisions that need a board or promoter approval.
Can you work with our auditors and lawyers?
Yes. We prepare the audit file, respond to the auditor's questions and coordinate with your lawyers on secretarial and transaction matters. The aim is a single point of coordination so that requests do not reach you from three different directions at once.
Talk to the partner who will run this engagement.
A short call is usually enough to say whether we are the right fit.