Fractional CFO Services

Senior financial leadership on a flexible basis, providing strategic insight, commercial challenge, and support across growth, funding, and operational decision-making.

Access to experienced financial leadership helps businesses navigate growth, strengthen financial strategy, improve decision-making, and manage financial risk without the cost of a full-time CFO.

We work alongside the client’s management teams to provide strategic financial oversight, including financial planning, performance analysis, cash flow management, and support with funding, investment, and operational decision-making.

Upstreamly’s Value Add
Beyond financial oversight, we challenge assumptions, strengthen financial discipline, and provide strategic insight that helps leadership teams make confident, commercially sound decisions that

Most early-stage companies benefit from fractional CFO support once they are raising external investment, generating meaningful revenue, or managing complex financial obligations. It's also valuable before a funding round, when you need investor-grade financial models and projections. The cost of Fractional CFO support is typically a fraction of a full-time hire and delivers disproportionate value at critical growth stages.
It varies depending on your stage and the complexity of your business. We agree a scope at the start and flex as your needs evolve - so you’re not locked into a fixed commitment. This ensures you get the right level of support without overpaying for time you don’t need.

M&A Valuations and Due Diligence

Independent financial analysis and transaction support, including business valuations, buy-side and sell-side due diligence, and deal execution support.

Independent valuation and due diligence provide clarity and confidence in transactions by identifying financial risks, validating assumptions, supporting negotiations, and helping ensure that deals are structured on given financial information.

We conduct detailed financial analysis, assess historical performance and forecasts, review key financial risks, and provide valuation analysis to support buyers, sellers, and investors throughout the transaction process.

Upstreamly’s Value Add
Beyond financial analysis, we help clients understand the commercial implications of a transaction, strengthen negotiating positions, and support informed decision-making to maximise value and reduce deal risk.

Financial due diligence involves a detailed review of the target company's historical financial performance, balance sheet quality, working capital requirements, and any contingent liabilities. The output is a report that gives you confidence in the financials - or flags the issues you need to address before signing.

Transfer Pricing and Restructuring

Advisory support on group structures and intercompany arrangements, ensuring tax efficiency, regulatory compliance, and alignment with commercial objectives.

Appropriate transfer pricing policies and group structures help businesses operate efficiently across jurisdictions, reduce tax risk, ensure compliance with international regulations, and support effective financial management.

We review existing group structures and intercompany arrangements, develop appropriate transfer pricing policies, and support restructuring initiatives that align financial, tax, and operational objectives.

Upstreamly’s Value Add
Beyond compliance, we help businesses design structures that support operational efficiency, manage tax exposure, and provide clarity and consistency across international operations.

Transfer pricing rules apply to any UK business that has transactions with related parties in other countries - such as a subsidiary, parent company or fellow subsidiary. This includes management charges, royalties, loans and the provision of goods or services. Even relatively small businesses can be caught if they have international related-party arrangements. We assess whether transfer pricing obligations apply to your group and what documentation you need.
The complexity depends on the size of your group, the number of jurisdictions involved, and the nature of intercompany transactions. We tailor our approach to match your specific needs.

EIS, SEIS and VCT Schemes

Advisory support and compliance management for companies raising investment under Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS), and Venture Capital Trust (VCT) programmes.

These schemes provide valuable tax incentives for investors and can significantly enhance a company’s ability to raise growth capital, but they require strict eligibility and ongoing compliance with HMRC requirements.

We guide companies through eligibility assessment, advance assurance applications, investor documentation, and ongoing compliance to ensure the fundraising process aligns with regulatory requirements.

Upstreamly’s Value Add
Beyond compliance support, we help structure investment rounds effectively, minimise the risk of scheme disqualification, and provide clarity to both companies and investors throughout the funding process.

SEIS is designed for very early-stage companies - those that have been trading for less than three years and are raising up to £250,000. Investors receive 50% income tax relief and CGT exemption. EIS is for more established companies raising up to £12 million in total. Investors receive 30% income tax relief, CGT exemption and loss relief. Many companies use SEIS for their seed round then EIS for subsequent rounds.
Yes. Many companies start with SEIS for their initial funding round and then move to EIS for later raises, provided they continue to meet the relevant criteria.
Yes. Companies must continue to meet qualifying conditions for a set period after investment. We provide ongoing support to ensure compliance is maintained.

Joint Venture Assurance

Independent review and assurance of joint venture financials and governance arrangements, providing transparency, assurance, and confidence to all stakeholders.

Joint ventures often involve multiple stakeholders with shared financial interests, making independent assurance essential to ensure transparency, accountability, and trust between partners.

We perform independent assurance and financial reviews of joint venture arrangements, assessing financial reporting, governance structures, and compliance with contractual and regulatory obligations.

Upstreamly’s Value Add

Beyond providing assurance, we help strengthen financial governance, identify potential risks, and provide stakeholders with clear and reliable financial information to support effective collaboration.

We act as an independent third party, providing objective and unbiased insights to ensure all stakeholders can rely on the findings.
The scope can be tailored to your needs, ranging from high-level financial reviews to more detailed assessments of governance, controls, and compliance.

Employee Share & Incentive Schemes

Design, implementation, and ongoing administration of employee share schemes, ensuring regulatory compliance and alignment with shareholder and employee incentives.

Well-structured share schemes help businesses attract, retain, and motivate employees while aligning employee incentives with long-term business performance and shareholder objectives.

We support the design and implementation of share incentive arrangements, manage ongoing scheme administration, ensure compliance with regulatory reporting requirements, and provide guidance to companies and employees.

Upstreamly’s Value Adds
Beyond administration, we help structure schemes that are commercially effective, tax-efficient, and aligned with strategic objectives, ensuring the scheme supports both employee engagement and long-term business growth.

We support a range of schemes including EMI, unapproved options, growth shares, depending on your company’s size, stage, and objectives.
Most UK companies can implement a share scheme, although eligibility for tax-advantaged schemes (such as EMI) depends on factors like company size, trading activity, and employee status.
Timelines vary depending on complexity, but most schemes can be designed and implemented within a few weeks once key decisions are made.
Tax treatment depends on the type of scheme used. We help structure schemes to maximise tax efficiency for both the company and employees while ensuring full compliance.
Yes. Most schemes require annual reporting to HMRC and ongoing administration. We manage this process to ensure all obligations are met accurately and on time.