SME Strategy & FIntech service

COST ASSURANCE, AUDIT & STRATEGY ADVISORY

WELCOME TO CFBL CONSULTING!

AUDITS      PROTOCOLS & ESG FINANCE STRATEGy & ADVISORY

standards

Our Professional Standards & Memberships

overview

 SME Strategy & Fintech Service

CFBL Consulting provides robust business plans and financial statements and independent advisory services to help SMEs seeking to expand or transform their business to access finance and growth opportunities. We help you establish key performance indicators that can be actively monitored to help you and assess the efficiency of your operations, and help identify current, emerging risks and key industry trends to help you maintain a competitive advantage.

Digital Transformation & Fintech Innovation Services

Business Strategy Advisory

We provide independent advisory services and support clients with IT, technical, design, implementation, strategy, research, development, technology and innovation.

Cost Efficiency & Optimisation Advisory

We ensure that the right transfer pricing, costing and governance systems are in place effectively. We use technology to capture costs at source, analyse data and turn it into intelligence for risk management, forecasting, auditing, real-time reporting and management decisions.

Transformation Advisory & Thought Leadership

Our digital and software solutions use innovative technology and automation to enable our partners to optimise their business, cost, and efficiency and maintain a competitive edge.

Grant Funding Finance & Investment Advisory

We provide advisory services and support clients in developing and implementing sustainable a business strategy, business plans, and resilient financial statements to scale-up, secure grants funding and innovate.

Strategic Business Plans

Business Plan Strategic Annual Review

We can take on a more regular role with organisations, conducting annual reviews of your business strategy. These reviews seek to fine-tune the strategy in relation to new developments and ensure operations are fully optimised.

Business Performance Evaluation

We monitor the progress of implemented strategies thoroughly to evaluate their success.

Financial Management & Accounting Services

Cost Optimisation & Advisory

We work with business to maximise the potential of their financial resources, both directly and in an advisory capacity.

Funding Investment Appraisal

We will help develop your investment business case and support you in selecting the appropriate funding strategy and in obtaining these.

Finance Business Partnering

We can take on a longer-term advisory role alongside your organisation, guiding along financial matters with our expert industry insights and wealth of experience.

Financial Analysis and 5-Year Financial Statements

We undertake financial analysis and develop 5-year financial statements comprising the balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statements.

Accounting & Tax

We will handle your personal taxes, payroll and business taxes, ensuring they are timely, optimised and compliant.

Planning, Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Modelling

We will also ensure that you have appropriate financial controls in place for budgeting, payroll, cash flow management, cost, credit control, contracts, finance and risk management.

Interim Head of Finance Role

We can also temporarily take a more embedded role with your organisation as an Interim Finance Director.

Training & Change-Management Services

Training

We ensure that the project team and managers in the business do not just provide training for specific staff roles, but encourage training in transferable skills so that staff are already equipped to be more responsive to commercial, financial, cost and business risks in a crisis.

Change Management

We provide Change Management services, working with businesses to ensure that team morale is maintained through organisational transition periods.

Clients

Trusted by Top Global Companies 

testimonials

What Our Clients Say 

Multi-Disciplinary Steering Group 

With the widespread use of NEC cost-based and alliance contracts, cost assurance & cost verification has become a necessary step to provide the transparency and assurance required by employers, clients and project managers. The steering group has prepared several key outputs from groups of like-minded professionals who have examined various key aspects in detail. 

Jim McCluskey, Keir Group Commercial Manager

ESG Finance Services 

CFBL delivered cost assurance training including on risks and emerging costs like carbon to our commercial, finance and project teams. The elements most valuable were setting out the process and protocols for audit, and having clarity on the responsibility of each party in the supply chain for cost assurance on infrastructure projects. We also found the elements on disallowed costs to be very valuable. 

Ryan Phillip, Balfour Beatty Commercial Manager

SME Fintech & Strategy Services 

CFBL has provided Pacific Marketing with lots of really insightful and helpful financial advice. This included where to obtain grant funding and finance, how to credit check potential customers, and always first taking the time to first understand our questions and requirements. 

Justin Shardlow, Managing Direct Pacific Marketing

Infrastructure Project Services

After the successful completion of a 3-year Crossrail audit programme, CFBL led supply chain consultations with contractor, consultant and auditor workstreams, delivering cost assurance protocols from CP4 and CP5 lessons for our 5-year strategic plans and CP6 control period. They would be an asset to any company to whom they are engaged and we would never hesitate to call upon their expertise. ”

Victoria Hill Stanford, Head of Commercial

Our unique point

Multi-disciplinary Steering Group

Our multidisciplinary steering group of diverse experts, professionals and member companies have the required wealth of the UK and international expertise on cost assurance and audit on infrastructure projects and construction contracts. Through our CSR and governance initiative, we are working with funders, clients, and contractors to drive change and transformation industry-wide.

team

Our Experienced Associate Team

sectors

Our Sectors

Digital & Technology

All businesses need sustainable business strategies supported by technology and digital to accomplish financial goals, transform and compete successfully. This includes AI, data analytics, cloud computing or the Internet of Things (IoT). CFBL is committed to robustly managing risk and maximising business benefits.

Rail & Transport

With increased cost, complexity and risk on rail infrastructure assets, projects and construction contracts, the need for a cost assurance strategy is vital to optimising costs, sustainable value, and investment return. 

Water & Highways

The importance of water infrastructure in supplying clean water to millions of homes and businesses is existential. While highway and road infrastructure is key in transporting goods, and passengers and accessibility to essential and ancillary services.

Renewables

Investment in sustainable and high-quality infrastructure managed efficiently over the project life cycle, will contribute to economic development, the achievement of ESG objectives and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Energy & Power

For over a decade, CFBL has been working with leaders on infrastructure projects. We are delivering projects in renewable energy and nuclear sectors. We are responsive to energy price changes, and investor and stakeholder demand. 
t

Q & A

FAQ

Why is it important to establish the finance team as a business partner?
Establishing the finance team as a business partner is important because it enables collaboration and leverages financial expertise to drive strategic decision-making. Businesses can benefit from their financial insights, analysis, and specialized knowledge by involving the finance team in key business discussions and decision-making processes. This

partnership facilitates proactive planning, cost optimization, effective resource allocation, risk management, and compliance. It also enhances communication between finance and other departments, fosters financial accountability, and drives financial transformation. Positioning the finance team as a business partner strengthens the organization’s financial

foundation, promotes informed decision-making, and supports long-term growth and success.

What does it take to create an effective financial strategy?
An all-encompassing strategy that includes several crucial components is needed to develop an efficient finance strategy. It entails carrying out a comprehensive examination of the company’s financial position, establishing precise financial goals that are in line with the larger business objectives, and creating plans of action to reach those goals. Understanding the market, business trends, and competitive environment in-depth is necessary for developing an efficient financial plan. Strong financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting procedures are also necessary, as are measures for efficient risk management.
Why is financial planning essential for businesses?
Several factors make financial strategy essential to a company’s success:

  • Long-term financial objectives and sustainability are facilitated by it.
  • It offers a strategy for managing resources and making wise financial choices.
  • It facilitates efficient cash flow management and guarantees sufficient liquidity.
  • It empowers companies to select wise investments and exploit profitable possibilities.
  • It supports risk management and capital structure optimisation.
  • Profitability and financial performance are improved.
  • Strategic planning is facilitated, and financial and corporate goals are aligned.

 

What are some efficient methods for forecasting and budgeting during the creation of financial strategies?
Analysis of historical data: Examine patterns and historical growth rates by examining past financial data and trends.

Creation of financial models to simulate various situations and evaluate their effects on financial results.

Utilising rolling forecasts, which are continuously updated throughout the year.

Market Research and Analysis: Conduct in-depth market research to comprehend market dynamics, consumer preferences, and industry trends.

Benchmarking: To learn more, evaluate your financial performance in comparison to that of similar companies or rivals.

Continuous Monitoring and Review: Analyse actual financial performance in comparison to predictions and budgets on a regular basis.

How does fintech help SMEs?
Management boost. The “Fintech” approach to SME financing also helps improve ongoing management. Fintechs can pull client data in real-time to improve management throughout the lending cycle.

Improved risk management:

Fintech businesses may provide data analytics and machine learning capabilities to assist SMEs in more effectively assessing and managing risks such as credit risk or fraud.

Access to finance:

Fintech businesses may provide alternative forms of funding, such as peer-to-peer lending, and invoice financing, which can be more accessible and flexible than traditional bank loans.

Reduced costs:

Fintech businesses may provide lower fees and charges for services such as payment processing, foreign currency conversion, and account management, which can save SMBs money.

Quick transaction processing:

Fintech businesses may be able to process transactions faster than traditional banks, which is especially significant for SMEs that need to manage cash flow and respond promptly to consumer requests.

Better cash management:

Fintech businesses may provide digital tools and platforms to assist SMEs to manage their cash flow, tracking spending, and processing payments more effectively.

Contact us

25 Clarendon Road, Redhill, Surrey, UK, RH1 1QZ | T: 01737 452323  | 07951 722554 | E:

in**@cf*************.com











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