Finance partnering

External finance relationships

Relationships with auditors 

We can help manage relationships with auditors when a business is large enough to be audited. These financial accountants verify that everything the company claims about its annual accounts is accurate.

What is an auditor?

An auditor is an independent professional (or firm) who reviews a company’s financial statements to check that they give an accurate and fair view of the business.

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In the UK, auditors are usually qualified accountants registered with professional bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

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The role of an auditor is to examine a company’s accounts, systems, and records to ensure they meet legal and accounting standards, particularly the Companies Act 2006 and UK accounting frameworks (such as UK GAAP or IFRS). 

At the end of an audit, they issue an audit report confirming whether the accounts are accurate and reliable.

The relationship between your business and auditors

A good finance team works closely with auditors to make the process efficient, transparent, and stress-free through:

Preparation

Our finance team gathers all necessary financial records, schedules, and supporting documents before the audit begins. We will need balance sheets, invoices, payroll records, and reconciliations.

Communication

As a finance business partner, we can serve as the primary point of contact for auditors, answering questions, providing explanations, and ensuring information flows smoothly.

Collaboration

Auditors may ask for clarifications or additional evidence. We will coordinate internally to supply this quickly and clearly.

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Review and follow-up

Once the audit is complete, the finance team reviews any recommendations or findings. We may now do two things: 

adjust internal processes to strengthen controls or improve accuracy for future audits.

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An auditor checks that your financial story adds up, and your finance business partner makes sure they have everything they need to do it.

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When managed well, the audit process builds trust with investors, lenders, and regulators while helping the business stay financially healthy and compliant.

Relationships with tax advisors

A finance business partner communicates with tax advisors to provide information and address any questions. 

Standard accountants, who are not auditing, also play a role in producing annual accounts. 

What is a tax advisor?

A tax advisor (or tax consultant) is a qualified professional who helps businesses and individuals understand and manage their tax obligations.

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In the UK, they may be Chartered Tax Advisers (CTA) or accountants with tax expertise. 

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Their role includes ensuring compliance with HMRC regulations, minimising legally compliant tax liabilities, and providing guidance on topics such as corporation tax, VAT, payroll, and personal taxation for directors or shareholders.

Ways a finance team communicates with tax advisors

A well-organised finance team plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient, accurate communication between the business and its tax advisors. Here’s how:

Provide accurate information

The finance business partner ensures the tax advisor has up-to-date financial data, including income, expenses, payroll, and investment details, to ensure tax calculations and filings are accurate.

Coordinate deadlines

We track and prepare for key tax dates, including corporation tax submissions, VAT returns, and PAYE filings, helping the tax advisor meet HMRC deadlines smoothly.

Clarify queries

Tax advisors often need extra details or explanations about specific transactions, so the finance team responds promptly, providing context or documents to ensure accurate advice.

Implement recommendations

After receiving advice, for example, on allowable expenses, Research and Development (R&D) claims, or tax-efficient structures, the finance team helps implement those changes within the business’s financial processes.

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The tax advisor focuses on strategy and compliance, while the finance business partner handles day-to-day numbers and communication that enable good advice. 

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Together, they keep the business compliant, tax-efficient, and free from last-minute stress when deadlines roll around.

Manager relationships

For many managers, deciding where and when to invest can feel like a mix of pressure and guesswork. Whether in new equipment, marketing campaigns, or expanding operations.

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Managers often face questions such as:

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• Will this investment really pay off?

• How long will it take to see a return?

• Can we afford it without harming cash flow?

• What are the risks if things don’t go to plan?

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With our internal finance business partnership, we help turn those uncertainties into clear, confident managerial decisions. We work alongside managers to analyse the financial impact of potential investments, forecasting costs, returns, and cash flow changes. 

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By modelling different scenarios, we show what each option means in practical, financial terms. Managers get the clarity they need to make informed decisions and present them with confidence to senior leaders, boards, or investors.

Our role is to act as a trusted partner, not just a finance function. We help managers balance ambition with realism, ensuring that every investment supports the broader business strategy and delivers measurable value.

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Relationships with lawyers, fund operators in investment funds

In our dealings with lawyers, fund operators, and investors, we often act as a bridge between these parties. By providing an external perspective, we enable stakeholders to validate our claims and information.

We also maintain relationships within the company while serving as a link to external advisors.
 

We manage financial relationships so you don’t have to

We understand that accounting may not be your priority; what you really want is to run your business efficiently. Our role is to support you in achieving that goal.

You can count on us to manage everything accurately, and even if it's just a quick review, we'll help save you time.