Within six months, India Ink saw stronger profitability, improved tax efficiency, and clearer strategic direction. The team gained confidence in financial decisions, setting a stable foundation for sustainable growth.
Strategic Finance Unlocked
What would your business be worth if your finance function actually fuelled your future?
Our Fractional Finance Solution
We cover the 5Cs that actually move the needle.
Commercials
Cash
Compliance
Capital
Cadence
The Problem – From Your Perspective
Your finance function covers compliance but doesn’t drive growth; it looks backward, not forward.
You don’t have a clear financial model that shows how to reach your three-to-five-year targets, or which parts of your business are truly profitable.
You don’t know how your revenue translates into real cash flow, leaving you uncertain and under pressure.
Compliance feels like a box to tick, not a value driver and it hasn’t made your business investor-ready.
You don’t have a clear view of what your business is worth or how to increase that value.
There’s no steady financial rhythm, making your finance function people-dependent instead of systemised.
Our Solution – Fractional Finance
Our flagship solution equips scale-ups with a fractional finance team designed to unlock future growth.
At the heart of this approach is our proprietary 5C Framework, created by Finovate and implemented with every client.
The right people. The right level. The right framework. At a fraction of the cost.
Commercials
We identify your key value drivers and show you where to focus for the highest return. From pricing to margins to model efficiency — we help you scale profitably, not just grow revenue.
Cash
We give you a forward view of your cash position, map your working capital cycle, and help you make decisions with confidence. Know what’s coming, what’s changing, and how it affects your runway — before it’s too late.
Compliance
We manage the full scope of statutory, tax, and governance needs — and ensure you're investment-ready, not just compliant. Every deadline, every responsibility, every filing — tracked, owned, and up to date.
Capital
We help you understand and influence the value of your business. From structuring and shareholder planning to tax efficiency and exit readiness — we align your decisions with long-term value creation.
Cadence
We bring rhythm and structure to your finance function. Clear reports. Clear responsibilities. Clear follow-through — so things get done, and decisions don’t stall.
Who This Is For
This solution is ideal if:
- You know you’ve got a gap in your Finance Function, but hiring a full-time CFO doesn’t make sense commercially.
- You’re a growth-minded business owner.
- Your business is generating between R5m - R200m in revenue, or you are a post-raise startup.
- You desire a finance function that will unlock future value.
- You value clarity, peace of mind, strategic insights, and commercial decision support, not just compliance.
- You already use (or are ready to move to) cloud-based accounting and reporting tools.
Our Solution vs Traditional Approach
Why Choose Finovate?
How We Work – Your Onboarding Process
We don’t just promise value, we guarantee it. Every Fractional Finance Retainer is backed by our 2 month money-back guarantee.
Client Success Stories
CASE STUDY 1 - FINTECH
Paytec
The Problem:
Operating across Sub-Saharan Africa, the EU, and the UK, Paytec and Zeam Money were expanding rapidly but lacked a unified financial structure. Managing multi-jurisdictional compliance, governance, and reporting created operational strain and limited strategic visibility at a global scale.
Our Solution:
Appointed Finovate as a fractional CFO and FinOps partner to integrate leadership and governance.
Delivered a comprehensive financial framework connecting operations across Africa, the EU, and the UK.
- Established clear cross-border reporting and compliance structures.
Introduced scalable financial systems and data-driven decision-making tools.
- Provided ongoing strategic finance advisory to support global expansion.
The Result:
Paytec and Zeam Money gained the financial clarity and leadership required to operate confidently across multiple markets. The Finovate partnership evolved into a trusted long-term relationship — including board-level collaboration — positioning both companies for sustainable international growth.
CASE STUDY 2 - RETAIL
India Ink
The Problem:
India Ink’s rapid growth created operational strain. While the creative team thrived, financial structure and processes lagged behind, threatening scalability and team retention.
Our Solution:
Deployed a fractional CFO and financial manager to bring structure and accountability.
Streamlined tax and financial processes for improved efficiency.
Enhanced profitability tracking and strategic decision-making.
Implemented clear financial rhythms and reporting systems.
Advised on growth priorities to align operations with creative and commercial goals.
The Result:
CASE STUDY 3 - CONSULTING
Carbon Neutral Energy
The Problem:
After securing a major project in Africa, Carbon Neutral Energy lacked in-house financial expertise and strategic leadership. Their accounts were backlogged, compliance outdated, and reporting unreliable — leaving directors without clarity on profitability, cash flow, or risk as the business expanded.
Our Solution:
Cleaned up historic accounts and restored compliance for accurate reporting.
Built dashboards and weekly KPI tracking aligned with project profitability.
Implemented treasury processes to safeguard liquidity and manage surplus cash.
Supported African expansion with Reserve Bank compliance and consolidated group reporting.
Established a recurring CFO rhythm through weekly and monthly finance reviews.
The Result:
Financial accuracy and compliance were fully restored. Directors gained reliable visibility across entities, profitability improved through tighter cost and forex management, and disciplined treasury processes strengthened cash flow. Shareholders gained confidence and clarity for long-term growth.
Not yet convinced?
Start with one of our top-requested services
- Strategy workshops
- Due diligence and account clean-ups
- Valuation modelling
- Financial modelling
- Pricing and margin analysis
- System/stock implementations
- M&A and shareholder support
- Restructuring & succession planning
- International expansion
- Corporate governance & board support
These can be delivered independently or layered into your retainer later.
Money-back guarantee if we don’t deliver value.
FAQ
What exactly is Fractional Finance?
Fractional Finance gives scaling businesses access to a full finance function — without the full-time cost. Instead of hiring a CFO, Financial Manager, and accounting team separately, Finovate builds a right-sized finance team tailored to your stage of growth. You get senior financial leadership, reliable reporting, and strategic insight — at a fraction of the cost.
How is Fractional Finance different from outsourced accounting or bookkeeping?
Traditional outsourcing focuses on compliance and transactions.
Fractional Finance, by contrast, focuses on strategy, forecasting, capital planning, and value creation. We don’t replace your accountant — we partner with your business to ask the right questions, build financial rhythm, and unlock sustainable growth.
When does it make sense to move beyond bookkeeping to Fractional Finance?
It typically makes sense once your business turnover reaches R5 million and above, or when:
• You’re growing quickly and need financial structure.
• You’ve received funding or investors and need stewardship and visibility.
• You’re expanding locally or internationally and need strategic oversight.
Below that level, light compliance may suffice – but once decisions have financial impact, you need a finance function, not just a bookkeeper .
How does the 5C Framework apply to my business?
Our 5C Framework ensures that your entire finance function is covered:
• Commercial: Are your products and pricing driving profit?
• Cash: Do you understand and optimise your cash cycle?
• Compliance: Can your business pass an investor or tax due diligence?
• Capital: Are you building long-term enterprise value?
• Cadence: Do you have a financial rhythm — meetings, reporting, and accountability — that supports decision-making?
This framework makes sure every part of your finance function serves your growth, not just your reporting.
What size or type of business benefits most from Fractional Finance?
Our sweet spot is scale-ups and established SMEs with turnover between R5 million and R200 million, or funded startups needing disciplined stewardship. These businesses are often post-revenue, growing fast, and needing a trusted financial partner — but not ready for (or interested in) a full-time CFO.
How does Fractional Finance help with cash flow?
We help you build a rolling cash flow forecast, manage working capital cycles, and optimise supplier and debtor terms — often unlocking cash already trapped in your business. In one case, Finovate helped a retail group unlock R10 million in liquidity without taking on debt .
What role does Finovate play in compliance?
We manage your compliance proactively — not reactively. From tax and CIPC submissions to investor readiness, we ensure your business can pass due diligence at any moment. We also build compliance calendars and dashboards that give you peace of mind and operational readiness .
How can Fractional Finance support my funding or valuation journey?
Finovate builds valuation models, investor dashboards, and capital roadmaps that help you raise or retain funding confidently. By aligning your capital structure with your growth strategy, we increase business value and shareholder returns over time.
What does “Cadence” mean in finance?
Cadence refers to your financial rhythm — weekly check-ins, monthly board reviews, and structured strategy sessions. This rhythm ensures your finance team runs like a well-oiled machine, independent of individuals or crises. It replaces reactivity with discipline.
What results can I expect from engaging Finovate’s Fractional Finance team?
Clients typically experience:
• Improved profitability and cash flow visibility.
• Confidence in board and investor reporting.
• Structured financial systems and sustainable growth.
And we stand by our impact – if you don’t see measurable value within the first two months, we offer a money-back guarantee .
Professional Associations
Fractional Finance at your fingertips, with clarity and control.
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