
5 Costly Mistakes I Made As A Fractional FD…And How To Avoid Them
Stepping into the world of fractional Finance Director (FD) work was one of the best career moves I made—but it wasn’t without its missteps. If you’re starting out, here are five mistakes I made (so you don’t have to!)
1. Rushing the Legal & Professional Setup 🚦
In my eagerness to get going, I skimmed over the essentials. Big mistake.
✔ Set up your limited company correctly, including proper articles of association.
✔ Secure professional indemnity insurance—it’s non-negotiable.
✔ Get your practising certificate sorted ASAP. Lead times can be long!
✔ Understand anti-money laundering regulations and have a client onboarding process in place.
Sorting these early saves you a world of stress later.
2. Undervaluing My Personal Brand 🎭
I thought my experience spoke for itself. Turns out, clients need to see who you are and how you can help.
✔ Define your values and build a brand that feels authentic.
✔ Ditch the corporate façade—your ideal clients want to connect with you.
✔ Get clear on who you want to work with and tailor your messaging accordingly.
Your personal brand isn’t just a ‘nice to have’—it’s what attracts the right clients.
3. Treating LinkedIn Like a CV Instead of a Business Tool 📢
I was guilty of lurking, posting sporadically, and not making the most of LinkedIn’s power.
✔ Optimise your profile to clearly showcase your expertise.
✔ Add a compelling call-to-action in your ‘About’ section.
✔ Post valuable content consistently—clients are watching (even if they don’t engage immediately).
✔ Engage with others. Visibility leads to credibility, which leads to opportunity.
4. Selling My Skills Instead of Solutions 💡
Initially, I treated sales like a job interview—listing my skills instead of solving problems. Wrong approach!
✔ Focus on the client’s pain points—how can you solve their problems?
✔ Position yourself as a trusted advisor, not just a finance professional.
✔ Confidence is key—own your value.
✔ Consider a lead magnet (like a useful checklist) to build relationships before selling.
5. Not Setting Boundaries From Day One ⏳
In my excitement to land clients, I was too flexible, leading to scope creep and burnout.
✔ Have clear engagement letters outlining terms, scope, and payment schedules.
✔ Set defined working days/hours—don’t let work creep into personal time.
✔ Decide when (and how often) you’ll check emails—constant availability isn’t necessary.
Final Thoughts
Going fractional is exciting, but success isn’t just about technical skills—it’s about thinking like a business owner.
Learn from my mistakes: get set up properly, build your brand, master LinkedIn, sell solutions (not skills), and establish boundaries early. You’ll thank yourself later! 😉
I teach all of this in my exclusive programme, PowerUP! I designed the course based on my own experience and all I learnt along the way.
Find out more here if you’d like the blueprint in making fractional finance work a success.
CONTACT DETAILS
Wainwright Consulting Limited
Company Number: 12778152
Registered Office:
26 Wynmore Avenue
Leeds
LS16 9DE
Phone: 07802 445680
Email: info@wainwrightconsulting.co.uk