Frequently Asked Questions

The right package depends on where you are in your growth journey and the level of financial sophistication your business requires. We’ve designed our packages to scale with you, ensuring you’re never paying for more than you need whilst having a clear upgrade path as your requirements evolve.

Core Package – This is our foundational service, ideal if you’re establishing your business or want to ensure the financial essentials are handled correctly whilst you focus on building your operations. You’ll get clean, accurate bookkeeping that meets all UK regulatory requirements, timely VAT and PAYE submissions so you never face penalties, basic month-end reconciliation checks to catch errors early, and light ongoing support for routine queries. This package provides peace of mind that your statutory obligations are met and your financial records are in good order.

Growth Package – This is the natural next step when your cash flow becomes more complex and unpredictable. Perfect for manufacturers experiencing growth, taking on larger orders, or managing multiple projects simultaneously. This includes everything in Core, plus a comprehensive 13-week rolling cash flow forecast that helps you spot potential shortfalls before they become problems, regular check-ins with your finance team to discuss trends and address concerns proactively, and simple monthly financial highlights presented in plain English so you understand exactly where you stand. This package transforms your finances from a compliance exercise into a management tool that actually helps you run your business better.

Momentum Package (Most Popular) – Our most popular option, chosen by manufacturers who understand that financial insights drive better business decisions. You’ll receive everything in Growth, plus a concise 5-minute monthly reporting pack designed specifically for time-pressed business owners. This isn’t a hundred-page document full of jargon – it’s a focused summary with plain-English commentary explaining what the numbers mean for your business, and three prioritised action points that you can implement immediately to improve performance. Many of our clients tell us this monthly pack has fundamentally changed how they think about and use their financial data. If you want to move from simply tracking numbers to actually using them to drive growth, this is your package.

Visionary Package (Full VFO) – This is our comprehensive Virtual Finance Office service for ambitious manufacturing businesses with serious growth plans. It includes board-level financial rhythm and governance with properly structured management accounts, investor-ready and lender-ready reporting packs that meet institutional requirements, strategic planning support for capital expenditure decisions and business expansion, detailed scenario modelling for major decisions, and a dedicated senior finance team that acts as a true extension of your business. If you’re seeking external funding, preparing for acquisition, or building a business that could scale significantly, this package provides the financial infrastructure and strategic partnership you need.

Not sure which package is right for you? Get in touch for a free consultation and we’ll help you find the perfect fit based on your current situation and future ambitions. Many clients start with one package and graduate up as their needs evolve – there’s no pressure to overcommit from day one.

Yes, we believe in complete transparency when it comes to pricing because we know that hidden fees and unclear costs are frustrating for business owners. All our package rates are clearly published on our website, so you can review them at your leisure and know exactly what to expect before engaging our services. There are no surprises, no fine print, and no pressure sales tactics.

We offer four core packages – Core, Growth, Momentum, and our comprehensive Visionary Package (Full VFO) – each designed to meet different business needs and stages of growth. The pricing for each package reflects the level of service, depth of reporting, and strategic support included. We’ve structured them to be accessible for growing manufacturers whilst delivering genuine value that can materially impact your bottom line.

Our pricing structure is straightforward with no hidden fees, surprise add-ons, or unexpected charges. Each package includes a clearly defined set of services, and you’ll know your monthly investment upfront. If you need something outside the scope of your package, we’ll discuss it with you first and provide a transparent quote before proceeding with any additional work. We’re always happy to discuss which option best suits your current requirements and budget during a free initial consultation. Many businesses find that investing in proper financial management actually saves them money by identifying inefficiencies, improving cash flow management, and avoiding costly mistakes or penalties.

Absolutely! We understand that your business needs change as you grow and evolve, and our packages are specifically designed with flexibility in mind. You can upgrade, adjust, or even downgrade your package at any time to better align with your changing requirements. We’ll never lock you into something that no longer serves you.

Many of our clients follow a natural progression as their businesses develop. They often start with the Core Package to establish solid financial foundations and ensure compliance, then graduate to Growth as their operations expand and cash flow becomes more complex, before moving to Momentum when they want strategic insights to drive decision-making. Some ambitious manufacturers eventually transition to the full Visionary Package when they’re scaling rapidly or preparing for significant funding rounds. This pathway is common and we’re experienced at managing these transitions smoothly.

The transition process is seamless – we’ll work with you to ensure continuity of service while implementing the additional features and support included in your new package. Your data, historical records, and relationship with your finance team all remain intact. If you find that your current package isn’t quite meeting your needs or you’re ready for more sophisticated support, simply reach out to discuss your options. We’ll review your situation honestly and help you select the most appropriate level of service. There’s no penalty for switching, no complicated contract amendments, and we’ll pro-rate any adjustments to ensure fair and transparent billing. Your success is our priority, and sometimes that means helping you find a different level of service.

We’re here to support your business in whatever way makes sense for you, and we recognise that every manufacturing company has unique requirements. While our packages are carefully designed to cover the most common financial needs we see across the sector, we fully expect that your business might occasionally need something beyond the standard scope.

If you need services or support that fall outside your current package, we offer flexible add-on options and bespoke solutions tailored to your specific situation. This might include one-off projects like preparing for an external audit, conducting a comprehensive financial health check or business review, developing custom reporting dashboards for specific KPIs unique to your operations, providing strategic advisory for a particular business decision or opportunity, assisting with grant applications or funding submissions, or supporting due diligence processes if you’re considering an acquisition or investment.

The process is straightforward: simply get in touch with us to discuss your specific requirements in detail. We’ll take the time to understand exactly what you need and why, then provide a transparent, fixed-price quote for the additional work. This quote will be provided in writing before any work commences, so there are never any surprises. We’ll also ensure that any additional services integrate seamlessly with your existing package and broader financial management. Our goal is to be your trusted financial partner who adapts to support your business at every stage of growth, not to sell you services you don’t need. If we think something can be achieved within your existing package or isn’t necessary, we’ll tell you that honestly.

We can typically onboard new clients within 1-2 weeks, depending on the complexity of your requirements, the current state of your financial records, and the readiness of your data. Our onboarding process is designed to be smooth, efficient, and methodical, minimising disruption to your day-to-day operations whilst ensuring nothing falls through the cracks during the transition.

The process begins with an initial consultation where we assess your current financial situation in detail, understand your existing systems and processes, review the state of your records, and identify your specific needs and priorities. Based on this assessment, we’ll create a tailored onboarding plan with clear milestones and responsibilities. You’ll receive a comprehensive checklist of information and access we’ll need (such as accounting software credentials, bank feeds, HMRC gateway access, etc.), and we’ll schedule regular touchpoints throughout the onboarding period to ensure a seamless transition and address any questions promptly.

For urgent situations or time-sensitive requirements – perhaps you’ve just discovered your previous bookkeeper hasn’t been filing returns, or you need clean financials quickly for a funding application – we can often accelerate the onboarding timeline and prioritise your setup. Once we’re fully set up and integrated with your systems, you’ll immediately benefit from improved financial visibility, professional reporting, and the peace of mind that comes with having experienced specialists managing your finances. Don’t let another month go by with inadequate financial management, missed opportunities, or unnecessary stress – reach out today and we’ll have you up and running before you know it. Most clients wish they’d made the move sooner.

Yes, we’re highly experienced with all the leading cloud accounting software platforms used by UK manufacturers, with particular deep expertise in Xero, QuickBooks Online, and Sage. Our team stays current with the latest features, updates, and best practices for these platforms through continuous professional development, ensuring you get maximum value from your accounting software investment and aren’t missing out on functionality that could benefit your business.

If you’re already using one of these systems, we’ll seamlessly integrate with your existing setup, conduct a thorough review of your current configuration, and optimise your chart of accounts, tracking categories, and reporting structures for better efficiency and more meaningful management information. We’ll also ensure your bank feeds are working correctly, your VAT settings are configured properly, and you’re taking advantage of relevant integrations and automation features.

If you’re starting from scratch or considering switching platforms, we can provide expert advice on the best accounting software for your specific business needs, taking into account factors like your business size, complexity, inventory management requirements, integration needs, and budget. We’ll handle the complete setup and migration process, including transferring historical data if needed, ensuring everything is configured correctly from day one. We also work with various industry-specific and complementary tools for inventory management, manufacturing operations software (such as MRP systems), CRM platforms, and business intelligence tools. Our approach is software-agnostic – we focus on finding and implementing the right technology ecosystem to support your business objectives, rather than forcing you into a one-size-fits-all solution that might not suit your operations. The technology should serve your business, not constrain it.

You’ll be assigned a dedicated finance team led by a qualified accountant who will become your primary point of contact and will develop a deep understanding of your business. This isn’t a faceless, impersonal service where you’re passed between different people who don’t know your company – you’ll have direct access to experienced professionals who genuinely understand the unique challenges and opportunities within manufacturing businesses.

Your core team typically consists of a qualified accountant (often ACCA, CIMA, or ACA qualified) who oversees everything and provides strategic guidance, a dedicated bookkeeper for day-to-day transaction processing and reconciliations, and depending on your package level, may include specialist support for management reporting, VAT planning, tax optimization, and strategic financial advisory. All our team members are UK-based, professionally qualified or actively studying towards professional qualifications, and have specific, relevant experience working with manufacturing companies and understanding the complexities of inventory, work-in-progress, and production costing.

We believe strongly in building long-term relationships, so you’ll work with the same consistent team members month after month and year after year. This continuity is incredibly valuable – your team will develop intimate knowledge of your business operations, your industry dynamics, your growth plans, and even your personal preferences for how information is presented. You won’t have to repeatedly explain your business model or remind people of important context. This continuity ensures efficient service delivery, reduces errors, and means your finance team can provide increasingly valuable insights as they understand your business more deeply. Of course, your dedicated team is backed by our wider firm’s collective expertise, so you benefit from specialist knowledge across various areas while maintaining the consistency of your core team. It’s the best of both worlds – personalised service with deep institutional support.

Data security is absolutely paramount to us, and we implement comprehensive, multi-layered measures to protect your sensitive financial information at every stage. We use industry-leading cloud-based accounting platforms (Xero, QuickBooks, Sage) that employ bank-level 256-bit encryption, maintain data in secure, geographically redundant data centres with physical security measures, and implement multi-factor authentication as standard for all user access. All data transmission between systems is encrypted using TLS protocols, and we maintain strict role-based access controls to ensure only authorised team members with a legitimate need can view your specific information.

Our team follows rigorous internal security protocols and receives regular, mandatory training on data protection best practices, cyber security awareness, and phishing prevention. Every team member signs comprehensive confidentiality agreements, and we maintain strict policies around password management, device security, and data handling. We’re fully compliant with all UK GDPR regulations and maintain professional indemnity insurance and cyber liability insurance for additional peace of mind. We also conduct regular security audits, vulnerability assessments, and keep all our systems updated with the latest security patches and updates within recommended timeframes.

All cloud-based systems we use are backed up automatically multiple times daily and stored redundantly across geographically separate locations, protecting against data loss from hardware failure, natural disasters, ransomware attacks, or other unforeseen circumstances. Unlike traditional accounting practices where paper files can be lost, damaged in fires or floods, or simply misfiled, your financial data is safely stored with enterprise-grade protection and is accessible only to you and your specifically designated team members. We have detailed disaster recovery and business continuity plans in place to ensure service continuity even in extreme scenarios. We can provide comprehensive information about our security measures, compliance certifications, and copies of our security policies upon request. Your data security isn’t just important to us – it’s fundamental to everything we do.

Your satisfaction and success are absolutely crucial to us, and we’re genuinely committed to delivering exceptional service at all times. However, we’re also realistic – we know that occasionally things might not go perfectly, or your needs might change. If you’re ever unhappy with any aspect of our service, whether it’s response times, quality of work, communication, reporting format, or anything else, we want to hear from you immediately so we can address your concerns and put things right.

We operate on flexible terms with reasonable notice periods – we deliberately don’t lock you into lengthy, inflexible contracts because we believe in earning your business every single month through the quality of our service and the value we deliver. You shouldn’t stay with us out of contractual obligation; you should stay because we’re genuinely adding value to your business and making your life easier. If there’s an issue – whether it’s a mistake we’ve made, a misunderstanding about scope, or simply a mismatch of expectations – we’ll work proactively with you to understand what’s not working and why, and implement concrete solutions quickly. Most concerns can be resolved promptly through honest, open communication and adjustments to our service delivery approach.

In the unlikely event that we genuinely can’t resolve your concerns to your satisfaction despite our best efforts, you’re free to terminate the agreement with appropriate notice as outlined in your service agreement. We’ll ensure a thoroughly professional and helpful handover of all your financial records, documentation, and accounting files, and provide whatever support and information is needed to facilitate a smooth transition to alternative arrangements (whether that’s another firm, an in-house person, or a different solution). We won’t hold your data hostage or make the process difficult – these are your records and you’re entitled to them in usable formats. Our goal is always to build long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships based on trust and value delivery, and that means being responsive, genuinely accountable, always putting your business needs first, and having the integrity to handle departures professionally if that’s ultimately what’s best for you.

Yes, comprehensive tax planning and compliance are fundamental, integral parts of our service offering across all package levels. We ensure all your statutory obligations are met accurately, on time, and in full compliance with current HMRC requirements, including VAT returns (whether monthly, quarterly, or under different schemes like Flat Rate or Cash Accounting), PAYE submissions and Real Time Information reporting, corporation tax computations and filings, Construction Industry Scheme returns if applicable, and annual accounts preparation that meets Companies House and HMRC requirements. Our proactive approach means we stay well ahead of deadlines, keep you informed of upcoming requirements, handle all submissions on your behalf, and maintain comprehensive records that would satisfy any HMRC enquiry or investigation.

Beyond basic compliance (which frankly should be table stakes for any competent accountant), we provide strategic tax planning advice designed to minimise your tax liabilities legally and ethically whilst ensuring you remain fully compliant. This includes optimising your business and shareholding structure for tax efficiency, identifying and claiming available reliefs and allowances such as Annual Investment Allowance for capital expenditure, R&D tax credits for qualifying development activities (many manufacturing innovations qualify but go unclaimed), planning capital investments and asset purchases for maximum tax relief and cash flow benefit, advising on dividend strategies and director remuneration to optimise personal tax positions, and providing succession and exit planning advice when you’re considering selling or transitioning the business.

Our team stays rigorously current with the latest tax legislation changes through continuous professional development, and we proactively identify opportunities that could benefit your specific business based on changes in tax law or your circumstances. We’ll alert you well in advance to upcoming changes that might affect your operations (such as changes to VAT thresholds, corporation tax rates, or capital allowances rules) and help you prepare and respond accordingly. Tax planning isn’t an optional extra just for large corporations with expensive tax advisors – even relatively small manufacturers can benefit significantly from smart, strategic, and proactive tax advice, and we make this sophisticated expertise accessible and understandable through our packaged Virtual Finance Office services. The tax savings we identify often more than cover our fees.

Absolutely. We have extensive, hands-on experience supporting manufacturing businesses through funding applications, investor presentations and relations, and managing complex banking relationships. Whether you’re seeking growth capital for expansion, asset finance for new machinery and equipment, invoice discounting or factoring to improve working capital, government-backed startup loans or growth schemes, or preparing for equity investment rounds (whether from angel investors, VCs, or private equity), we can help you present your business in the most compelling and credible light whilst ensuring all financial information is accurate, realistic, and professionally presented.

We’ll prepare professional, institutional-quality financial forecasts and projections, detailed cash flow models that demonstrate how funding will be deployed and repaid, comprehensive business plans with robust financial sections that meet lender and investor requirements and expectations, sensitivity analyses showing how your business performs under different scenarios, and management information packs that demonstrate operational competence and financial control. Our team intimately understands what banks, institutional lenders, and professional investors look for in funding applications, what questions they’ll ask, what red flags they’ll watch for, and how to structure information to build confidence and credibility. We can help you articulate your business case compellingly whilst ensuring all assumptions are defensible, projections are realistic and achievable, and financial documentation is accurate, consistent, and professionally presented.

For businesses with existing investors or those considering bringing in equity partners, we provide ongoing investor-ready reporting, prepare professional board packs and investor updates, support comprehensive due diligence processes (which can be extremely detailed and demanding), manage financial aspects of negotiations and deal structuring, and help maintain investor confidence through transparent, professional communication. We understand the significantly heightened scrutiny and governance requirements that come with investor involvement, and can ensure your financial reporting, controls, and processes meet these elevated standards. Our Visionary Package specifically includes comprehensive investor-ready reporting as a core component, whilst our other packages can incorporate these services as add-ons when needed. Many of our clients have successfully secured significant funding with our support, and our professional financial documentation has been a key factor in their success.

Unlike traditional high-street accountants who often focus primarily on historical compliance, retrospective tax returns, and only engage meaningfully with you once or maybe twice a year (usually at year-end or tax filing time), we operate as a genuine, proactive extension of your business – your Virtual Finance Office. We’re fundamentally forward-looking rather than backward-looking, providing ongoing, regular support, real-time or near-real-time financial insights, actionable strategic guidance throughout the year, and serving as a genuine partner in your business growth rather than just a necessary compliance service.

Perhaps most importantly, we specialise exclusively in manufacturing and engineering businesses, which means we intimately understand your unique challenges, opportunities, and pressures. We understand inventory management complexities and valuation, work-in-progress accounting and production costing methodologies, supply chain management and procurement strategies, capital equipment investment decisions and financing, capacity planning and scaling challenges, margin pressures and pricing strategies, and the operational realities of running a manufacturing business in today’s competitive environment. This deep sector focus and expertise means we speak your language fluently, understand your metrics and KPIs instinctively, and can provide genuinely relevant insights that generic high-street accountants simply cannot match.

Our service model is also fundamentally, structurally different from traditional accounting practices. We offer transparent, fixed-price monthly packages rather than unpredictable hourly billing where you’re afraid to pick up the phone for fear of being charged. You get dedicated, named team members who know your business intimately and stay with you long-term, modern cloud-based technology that enables real-time collaboration and access to your data anytime you need it, regular scheduled check-ins and proactive communication rather than waiting for annual meetings or ad-hoc requests, and continuous support rather than episodic engagement. We’re not here simply to file your tax returns and statutory accounts (though of course we do that impeccably) – we’re here to actively help you build a significantly more profitable, operationally efficient, financially sustainable, and ultimately scalable manufacturing business. Think of us less as your traditional accountants and much more as your strategic finance partners and growth enablers.

We make communication remarkably easy, flexible, and responsive to suit your individual preferences and working style. Your dedicated account manager and broader finance team are readily available via email, phone, video call (Teams, Zoom, Google Meet – whatever you prefer), and we pride ourselves on being genuinely responsive and accessible. You’ll typically hear back within just a few hours during normal business hours (9am-5:30pm Monday-Friday), not days or weeks like with some traditional accounting firms. We understand that when you have a financial question or concern, you need answers quickly, not after you’ve already had to make a decision.

For routine day-to-day matters like invoice queries, transaction classifications, or straightforward questions, email works perfectly well and creates a helpful audit trail and paper record. For more complex discussions requiring detailed explanations, strategic planning conversations, business decision support, or when you simply prefer to talk things through verbally rather than writing long emails, we’re always happy and available to jump on a phone call or video meeting at short notice. We’ll also schedule regular, structured check-ins based on your package level and preferences – these might be weekly, fortnightly, or monthly depending on your business needs and the complexity of your operations, and they provide valuable dedicated time for strategic discussions, planning, and reviewing performance trends.

All your financial data, reports, and key documents are accessible to you 24/7 through secure cloud-based platforms, so you can view your numbers, download reports, or check your cash position whenever you need them, including outside normal business hours or whilst travelling. We also use secure client portal systems for sharing sensitive documents, exchanging files, and maintaining organised communication histories. Many of our clients appreciate having a dedicated WhatsApp group, Slack channel, or Microsoft Teams channel for quick questions, urgent matters, and informal updates – we’re completely flexible and will happily adapt to whatever communication methods, channels, and cadence work best for your business and personal preferences. The fundamental principle is that we’re genuinely accessible, consistently responsive, and always just a message, email, or call away whenever you need us. You’ll never feel like you’re bothering us or that we’re too busy for your questions – supporting you is literally what we’re here for.

Getting started with DVFO is straightforward, pressure-free, and begins with a free, no-obligation initial consultation where we can get to know each other, understand your business, and determine if we’re the right fit for your needs. Simply reach out to us via our website contact form, send us an direct email, or call us on the phone, and we’ll schedule a convenient time for an initial conversation. This first discussion usually takes around 30-45 minutes and can be conducted via video call, phone, or in-person if geography and schedules permit.

During this initial conversation, we’ll invest time to genuinely understand your current situation in detail (what’s working, what isn’t, what’s keeping you up at night), the specific challenges you’re facing with your financial management, your short-term priorities and longer-term goals for the business, your current systems, processes, and team setup, and what ‘good’ looks like for you in terms of financial management and support. We’ll explain transparently how our Virtual Finance Office approach works in practice, discuss honestly which package might be the best fit for your current requirements and budget (we’ll never push you towards something more expensive than you need), answer any and all questions you have about our services, team, processes, or approach, and provide relevant examples of how we’ve helped similar manufacturing businesses. There’s absolutely no pressure, no sales tactics, and no obligation – this conversation is genuinely about mutual exploration and ensuring we’re the right match for each other.

If we both agree it makes sense to move forward after that initial discussion, we’ll provide a clear, written proposal outlining the precise scope of work, package details, monthly investment, what’s included and what isn’t, our onboarding process and timeline, and exactly what you can expect from us. You’ll have time to review this properly, discuss it with partners or co-directors if relevant, and ask any additional questions before making a decision. Once you’re completely comfortable and ready to proceed, we’ll begin the structured onboarding process, which typically takes 1-2 weeks depending on complexity and data readiness. Before you know it, you’ll have a professional, dedicated finance team working closely alongside you, giving you the financial clarity, confidence, and strategic support you need to successfully grow your manufacturing business. Don’t wait and let another month slip by with inadequate financial management – take the first step today by getting in touch. We’re genuinely here to help transform your financial management from a source of stress and confusion into a genuine competitive advantage and growth enabler.