How we work

    Engagement Models with you

    Choose the model that fits your business. Every engagement is scoped individually.
    Three engagement models

    Pick the shape that fits your team

    Every engagement is scoped individually. Book a discovery call to discuss your needs and we will provide a transparent proposal within 48 hours.

    Full Outsource

    We take over your entire finance function.

    Best for: startups and scale-ups without an in-house finance team. →

    Co-Source

    We work alongside your existing team to handle overflow, specialist tasks, or specific deliverables.

    Best for: companies with a finance lead who needs operational support. →

    Project-Based

    Defined scope, defined timeline.

    Best for: systems implementations, process reviews, audit preparation, or one-off modelling projects. →

    Full Outsource

    Your entire finance function, handled.

    The Full Outsource model is designed for businesses that need a complete, end-to-end finance function without building or maintaining an in-house team. Serana becomes your finance department. managing everything from day-to-day bookkeeping and month-end close through to investor reporting, cash flow forecasting, and board packs. You get a dedicated team, structured processes, and institutional-quality output from day one.

    How it works

    01

    Discovery & Scoping

    We assess your current finance operations, reporting requirements, and stakeholder expectations to define the full scope of work.

    02

    Onboarding & System Access

    We gain access to your accounting systems, bank feeds, and key platforms. We document existing processes and identify quick wins.

    03

    Transition & Setup

    We take over responsibility for all finance operations, implement our reporting templates, and establish a month-end close timetable.

    04

    Ongoing Operations

    Your dedicated Serana team runs the full finance function. daily bookkeeping, reconciliations, payroll accounting, VAT filings, cash management, and reporting on agreed timelines.

    05

    Continuous Improvement

    We regularly review processes for efficiency gains, automate manual tasks, and evolve reporting as the business grows.

    What's typically included

    Month-end close and management accounts (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow)
    Balance sheet reconciliations and fixed asset register
    Accounts payable and accounts receivable management
    Payroll accounting and headcount cost allocation
    VAT / GST return preparation and filing
    Board reporting packs with variance commentary
    13-week rolling cash flow forecast
    Annual budget build and rolling forecasts
    Investor reporting packs and NAV statements (for fund clients)
    Capital call and distribution processing
    Liaison with auditors, tax advisors, and external administrators
    KPI dashboards and ad hoc analysis

    Best for

    • Startups and scale-ups without an in-house finance team.
    • PE-backed portfolio companies that need institutional-quality finance from acquisition onwards.
    • Fund managers who want full SPV administration and investor reporting handled externally.

    "A PE fund acquired a UK-based services company with no finance team beyond a part-time bookkeeper. Serana was engaged under the Full Outsource model within two weeks of completion. We implemented a five-day month-end close, produced the first consolidated board pack within 30 days, built a 13-week cash flow forecast, and managed the year-end audit. which closed with zero adjustments."

    Co-Source

    Extra capacity and specialist expertise, embedded in your team.

    The Co-Source model is for businesses that already have a finance lead or a small team in place but need additional bandwidth, specialist skills, or structured support for specific workstreams. Serana works alongside your existing team. filling gaps, handling overflow, and taking ownership of defined deliverables. Your finance lead stays in control; we provide the execution firepower they need.

    How it works

    01

    Needs Assessment

    We meet with your finance lead to understand where the bottlenecks are, which tasks are consuming the most time, and where specialist input is needed.

    02

    Scope & Role Definition

    We agree on which workstreams Serana will own, which are shared, and which stay fully in-house. We create a clear RACI so there is no ambiguity.

    03

    Integration

    Our team integrates into your workflows, systems, and communication channels. We attend your standing meetings and align with your reporting calendar.

    04

    Execution

    We deliver on our assigned workstreams. whether that's management accounts, cash flow forecasting, FP&A modelling, fund reporting, or reconciliation backlogs. on the timelines your business needs.

    05

    Flex & Scale

    As your needs evolve, we scale up or down. If your team grows, we hand over. If new demands arise (fundraise, audit, acquisition), we absorb the extra load.

    What's typically included

    Month-end close support (journal entries, accruals, reconciliations)
    Management accounts preparation or review
    Cash flow forecasting and working capital tracking
    Budget and forecast model maintenance
    Investor reporting and capital account reconciliation
    Intercompany reconciliation and elimination
    AR chasing and AP payment run support
    Variance analysis and KPI reporting
    Audit preparation support
    Ad hoc financial analysis and modelling

    Best for

    • Companies with a CFO, Financial Controller, or Finance Manager who needs operational support.
    • Businesses going through a high-intensity period. fundraise, audit, acquisition integration, or rapid growth. where the existing team can't absorb the extra workload alone.

    "A mid-market SaaS company had a strong FD but no team beneath her. Serana was engaged on a Co-Source basis to handle month-end close, reconciliations, and cash flow reporting while the FD focused on a Series B fundraise. We operated for nine months, then helped recruit and onboard a permanent management accountant. handing over clean processes and documented SOPs."

    Project-Based

    Defined scope. Defined timeline. Clear deliverables.

    The Project-Based model is for businesses that don't need ongoing support but have a specific finance challenge to solve. Whether it's a systems implementation, a process overhaul, an audit preparation sprint, or a one-off modelling project, Serana scopes the work, agrees the deliverables and timeline upfront, and executes to completion. You get a fixed outcome, not an open-ended engagement.

    How it works

    01

    Briefing

    You share the challenge or objective. We ask the right questions to understand the context, constraints, and desired outcome.

    02

    Proposal & Scoping

    We deliver a clear proposal within 48 hours: defined scope, deliverables, timeline, and fixed or capped fee. No ambiguity.

    03

    Kick-Off

    We align on milestones, access requirements, and communication cadence. We assign the right specialist team for the project.

    04

    Execution & Checkpoints

    We deliver against the agreed milestones with regular progress updates. You review interim outputs and provide feedback at defined checkpoints.

    05

    Handover & Documentation

    We deliver the final output, walk your team through it, and provide full documentation so everything is usable and maintainable after we leave.

    What's typically included

    Finance process mapping and redesign (current state → future state)
    Month-end close timetable design and implementation
    Chart of accounts review and rationalisation
    ERP / accounting system configuration and optimisation
    Automation builds (Excel, Power Query, scripting)
    Reporting template standardisation across entities
    Internal controls framework design
    Driver-based financial model build
    Scenario and sensitivity analysis
    Audit readiness review and preparation pack
    Finance team SOP and handbook creation
    Working capital improvement roadmap

    Best for

    • Systems implementations and ERP migrations.
    • Post-acquisition finance integration across multiple entities.
    • Process reviews when month-end close is too slow or error-prone.
    • Audit preparation when the team needs external support to get ready.
    • One-off modelling projects such as fundraise models, business plans, or board scenario analysis.

    "After acquiring three companies, a PE fund engaged Serana on a six-week project to harmonise finance processes across all entities. We documented 40+ processes, consolidated three separate chart of accounts structures into one, automated monthly reporting using Power Query, and reduced the combined month-end close from 20 working days to 7. delivering a full SOP library so the team could sustain the new process independently."

    Not sure which model fits?

    Every engagement is scoped individually. Book a discovery call and we'll recommend the right approach for your business. and provide a transparent proposal within 48 hours.

    7days

    Month-end close in less than 7 working days

    95%

    Accuracy on all deliverables

    Weekly

    95% accuracy on all deliverables. Month-end close in less than 7 working days. Weekly cash visibility updates.

    Ready to simplify your finance operations?

    Book a Discovery Call