Overview
A virtual CFO is an outsourced finance partner who looks at your numbers every month, explains what they mean and helps you decide. The role sits above bookkeeping: bookkeeping records what happened, and the CFO tells you what to do about it.
A typical engagement covers a monthly MIS pack with profit, cash and key ratios, a budget and a rolling cash flow forecast, a review of pricing and margins, a compliance calendar across GST, TDS and ROC, and preparation for banks and investors.
We are an advisory firm. The work is advice and analysis based on your records. It is not an audit or assurance opinion, and any statutory audit is done by an independent practising Chartered Accountant appointed by you.
Is a virtual CFO the right fit?
It suits businesses that need good financial judgement before they can justify a full-time CFO.
Usually a good fit if
- You are a startup or SME with growing revenue and unclear cash or margins.
- You are preparing for a loan, grant or funding round and need investor-quality numbers.
- Your founder is doing the finance and wants a sounding board.
- You want a plan for hiring, pricing or expansion backed by numbers.
Think twice if
- Your books are not up to date; bookkeeping should be set right first, and we can do that as part of the work.
- You need a full-time CFO who manages a large finance team every day.
Key benefits
Decision-ready numbers
Monthly reports that explain, not just list.
Cash visibility
A rolling forecast shows runway and upcoming gaps.
Better margins
Product and customer profitability reviews.
Funding readiness
Models, MIS and data room organised before the investor asks.
Compliance on schedule
A calendar for GST, TDS, ROC and income tax.
Fraction of a CFO
Senior input without a full-time salary.
What we need from you
We work from your accounting data and plans.
To begin
- Last two years of financial statements
- Current accounting data or access to your software
- Bank statements and loan details
- Current business plan, pricing and key contracts
Each month
- Closed books or the inputs needed to close them
- Updated sales pipeline and expected collections
- Headcount and payroll changes
- Upcoming large payments or purchases
For fundraising
- Cap table and shareholder agreements
- Projections and key assumptions
- Customer and revenue data in the format investors ask for
How the process works
Discovery 1 week
We study the business, its numbers and your goals.
Set up the reporting 1 to 2 weeks
We agree the KPIs and design the monthly pack and the dashboard.
Budget and cash forecast 1 to 2 weeks
We build the first budget and rolling cash flow forecast with you.
Monthly review Monthly
Each month we present the results, explain variances and agree actions.
Compliance calendar Ongoing
We track due dates and link them to cash needs.
Special projects As agreed
Fundraise, pricing review, new location or cost reduction, scoped separately.
How long it takes
| Onboarding and set-up | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Monthly cycle | Review by mid-month |
| Projects | Scoped to the task |
The cycle depends on how quickly books are closed.
What you get each month
The pack is built to be read in minutes, not hours.
- MIS packRevenue, margin, expenses, cash and key ratios against budget.
- Cash flow forecastNext three to twelve months, updated.
- CommentaryWhat changed, why and what to do.
- Action listDecisions we agreed, with owners and dates.
- Compliance statusWhat is filed, what is due next.
Bookkeeper, virtual CFO and full-time CFO
| Bookkeeper | Virtual CFO | Full-time CFO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main output | Accurate records | Insight and planning | Leadership of the finance function |
| Time with you | Occasional | Monthly plus calls | Daily |
| Cost to you | Lowest | Moderate | Highest |
| Best for | Day-to-day accounting | Growing businesses and startups | Larger organisations |
Frequently asked questions
How is a virtual CFO different from a bookkeeper?
A bookkeeper records transactions. A CFO analyses them, plans, advises on decisions and prepares you for lenders and investors.
Can you help with fundraising?
We prepare the financial side: model, MIS and data room. We do not act as an investment banker and do not guarantee funding.
How much of my time will it take?
A monthly review of around an hour plus short calls, after the initial set-up.
Is this an audit?
No. It is advisory work. A statutory audit, where required, is carried out by an independent auditor.
Do you work with our software?
Yes. We work in Tally, Zoho Books and other common systems, or can help you move to one.
Can we start with a small scope?
Yes. Many clients start with bookkeeping and monthly MIS and add budgeting and forecasting later.
This page is general information to help you prepare, not legal, tax or professional advice for your situation. Rules, forms, thresholds and due dates change, so we confirm the current position before we file anything for you. Taxswami Consultants is an independent professional services firm and is not a government body.