For many business owners, finance starts off simple. A bookkeeper handles invoices, your accountant files annual accounts, and cash flow is tracked on spreadsheets. But as your company grows beyond £250k turnover, these light-touch solutions often stop being enough. That’s where an outsourced finance team can transform how you run and scale your business.
So how do you know when it’s time to make the switch?
Here are the signs to look out for.
1. You’re flying blind on the numbers
If you only see your financial performance once a year, or at best once a quarter, you’re already behind. Growing businesses need up-to-date information to make smart decisions.
- Do you know your monthly profitability?
- Can you track cash flow beyond the next few weeks?
- Do you have forward-looking forecasts to plan for growth or investment?
If the answer to these questions is no, it’s a red flag. An outsourced fi nance team can provide timely management accounts, cash-fl ow forecasts and dashboards that help you take control of the future, not just react to the past.
2. Your finance function depends on one person
Relying on a single bookkeeper or administrator may work at the start, but as you grow, risks multiply. What happens if they take holiday or leave? Is anyone checking their work?
An outsourced finance team provides depth and resilience: multiple specialists working together, covering bookkeeping, reporting, payroll, cash-fl ow management, and even finance director support. That means no single point of failure, and a consistent standard regardless of staff changes.
3. You’re spending too much time on finance admin
As an owner, your time is better spent on strategy, sales, and clients, not chasing invoices, processing payroll, or checking VAT returns. Yet many founders find themselves dragged into finance tasks just to keep things moving.
Outsourcing means you get your evenings back. With a dedicated team running the numbers, you can focus on growth while knowing compliance and reporting are in safe hands.
4. You’re planning for exit or investment
If you’re thinking about selling your business in the next three to five years, or raising external finance, you need more than tidy books. Investors and acquirers want robust financial systems, detailed reporting and clear cash flow management.
An outsourced finance team can professionalise your numbers, giving potential buyers or investors confidence. This preparation often increases valuation and makes due diligence far less stressful.
5. Costs are rising faster than sales
A turnover of more than £250k is a strong sign your business is scaling, but growth often brings complexity. More staff, more suppliers and higher overheads mean it’s easy to lose track of margins.
If you find costs creeping up without clear visibility, outsourcing can help you regain control. A finance team will analyse your cost base, highlight inefficiencies, and ensure you’re investing in the right areas to maximise profitability.
6. You want big-firm capability without the big-firm cost
Hiring a full-time finance director or controller is expensive, often more than £80k a year before benefits. But outsourcing gives you access to that level of expertise at a fraction of the cost. You can scale the service up or down as needed, paying only for the support required at your stage of growth.
Crossing the £250k threshold is often the point where businesses outgrow basic bookkeeping. If you’re struggling with visibility, efficiency, resilience or strategic planning, it may be time to consider an outsourced finance team.
Done well, outsourcing doesn’t just keep the books straight, it empowers owners with clarity, control and confidence to grow faster and smarter.
If you would like to explore the option for ‘growing up’ your finance function, get in touch with 650NED.
Find out more on 01908 909689, email hello@650ned.co.uk or visit 650NED
Thompson
Director
650NED
