Q1. You`ve clearly done some good work with some big companies but what can you do for a small business like mine?

Having a good control over your finances is crucial for the survival and growth of all kinds of business – large and small. We help small businesses to prosper by controlling cashflow, helping you to comply with burdensome rules and regulations, measuring your profitability and helping you to control costs – all of which will help to build your company’s credibility with your financial backers and investors. Not only that – but you will have more time to focus on customers, products and people.

Q2. What does “flexible” and “in-house” really mean?

We offer a “flexible” service which operates like a menu giving you choice and selection of services that will be tailored to the needs of your business.

Our services are “inhouse” in that we act on your behalf as if we were your dedicated “inhouse” finance team. Your “inhouse” finance director will act as part of your management team, providing advice, support and getting involved with key decisions, as required by you.

Q3. What do you mean by financial functions?

“Financial functions” covers the full range of finance related activities required to support your business. Our financial functions include the following: a finance director to help you make key business decisions, and a range of other services including performance measurement, managing your cashflow, dealing with regulatory requirements and red tape, producing accounts, processing your paperwork.

Q4. Will I lose control of the chequebook?

No. You will still sign the cheques. We simply process transactions on your behalf, leaving you to make the decisions.

Q5. I`d really love to have a Finance Director but I don`t think I can afford the luxury. How expensive is it?

Many small businesses share this view. However, what we find is that these businesses can still benefit greatly from only a small amount of input from a financial director, say 2 or 3 days a month. “Renting” a finance director for this amount of time makes the notion of a Financial Director much more affordable. On top of this our rates are extremely competitive.

Q6. In real terms what do you think I will gain by bringing you on board?

It depends on what you need. Our financial director will add input to your business decision making, and can help in practical ways eg by building your business plan and helping you apply for funding. We help you control your cashflow, and keep your business on a secure footing. We remove the paperwork headaches and give you greater peace of mind. We get your accounts back on track. You benefit by getting affordable access to our experienced team of finance experts, saving money on recruiting and hiring your own finance staff and freeing up your own time from the paperwork. Your business benefits from you spending more time on your customers, products and people.

Q7. How would having my own finance director help me?

For any business to survive, it needs to be on top of its finances. Studies have shown cash-flow problems to be the number one reason for business failure. A good finance director will put robust financial controls in place to make sure your business stays afloat. But their role is about a lot more than this alone.

A Nettleships Financial Director will provide direction and control of your finances in order that you can make sound decisions about the future of your business. This would include:

• Business planning and provision of reliable forecasts to support business decisions

• Developing successful financial strategies.

• Monitoring and managing all cash flows.

• Ensuring compliance with all financial accounting and reporting requirements.

All of this leads to you being freed up to get on with growing your business.

Q8. My needs are very basic – all I want to know is what my bank balance will be in a month's time. Can you help me?

Yes! Nettleships specialise in managing client’s cashflows.

We provide regular forecasts (weekly, monthly, quarterly) and deal with the timing of payments to suppliers and the like. This way your bank balance can be accurately predicted so that you avoid any nasty surprises. All you have to do is sign the cheques!

Q9. But we already have an accountant that we’re quite happy with. Why take on another?

Most small or growing businesses already use an accountant to provide taxation services and to sign off the annual accounts. We see that as complimentary to the service we provide.

To understand this, think of a large company. There are essentially two finance teams working for the management. The first is the external auditors and tax advisors, just as is the case for small businesses. The second is the company’s internal team of finance specialists working directly for the finance director. Nettleships’ services correspond to this second team – we offer a range of professional services including Financial Director Support, Cashflow Management, Financial Accounting and VAT, Transaction Processing, Payroll and Management Accounting. As well as Consultancy.

The advantage with Nettleships is that you can access all these specialist services without the need to recruit and employ anyone. You simply use as much of each specialist as your business requires.

Q10. How much does it cost?

Because each of our client’s needs are different Nettleships offer a flexible service allowing you to set the amount you want to spend. Nettleships offer a range of expertise, services and roles which you may not normally be able to afford to recruit or buy in and from which you can take bit-sized chunks to meet your needs and budget.

Initially our fees are charged on a time basis which varies according to the level of skill and experience required to do the job. For those who prefer it, we offer a fixed annual charge for many of our services, making this a predictable cost you can budget for.

Contact Nettleships for a free estimate.