Fractional FD Profile: Unlocking Financial Potential with VFD Pro and Growing Your Numbers
Focus: Part-Time and Fractional FD Services & Business Education
Advisor: Josef Zbaraski | Blueski Financial Synergy
Josef Zbaraski is a highly experienced Finance Director with over 20 years of expertise in financial strategy, business growth, and profitability improvement. As the Managing Director of Blueski Financial Synergy, he provides outsourced Financial Director services to SMEs, helping them enhance cash flow, profitability, and financial stability. Josef’s career began at KPMG, followed by Ernst & Young, before progressing into senior commercial finance roles. His hands-on approach and ability to turn financial data into actionable insights make him a trusted advisor for businesses seeking financial clarity and stability.
Bridging the Gap Between Financial Oversight and Business Strategy
Josef has witnessed firsthand the financial challenges faced by SMEs, particularly in cash flow management, credit control, and profitability analysis. His work with businesses across sectors like construction, manufacturing, and professional services has reinforced the importance of having robust financial systems in place. Through his experience, he recognises the significant value that VFD Pro and the Growing Your Numbers (GYN) programmes bring to businesses striving to improve their financial management and strategic decision-making.
Real-World Impact: Case Studies in Financial Transformation
Josef’s insights are backed by real-world experience. He has worked with numerous companies where financial mismanagement, lack of forecasting, and inefficient credit control processes led to severe cash flow issues. Below are some examples where his expertise made a transformational impact and how VFD Pro would provide incremental value to businesses in these scenarios.
Case 1: Resolving a Critical Overdraft Situation
A construction company Josef worked with faced a staggering overdraft of £1.2 million due to a lack of credit control, inconsistent invoicing, and unclear supplier agreements. The company’s financial instability created a major risk for its parent group, requiring urgent intervention.
Action taken:
- Implemented structured credit control and daily cash flow monitoring.
- Aligned departmental processes to ensure variations were invoiced promptly.
- Negotiated supplier terms to standardise payment structures.
- Improved treasury management and financial forecasting.
How VFD Pro Would Provide Incremental Value:
- Customer & Supplier Analysis Reports: Identifying key suppliers and high-risk customers would have facilitated better financial planning.
- Funding Proposal Model: Helping restructure financial facilities with banks and optimising liquidity.
- Strategic Planning Tools: Providing clearer financial insights to management for proactive decision-making.
Case 2: Cash Flow Optimisation for a Manufacturing Company
Josef helped a manufacturing company supplying to blue-chip firms such as Unilever and Premier Foods, which struggled with cash flow due to long payment terms (60+ days). The lack of structured invoicing created significant financial pressure.
Action taken:
- Introduced stage payments for capital projects, ensuring cash inflows aligned with project progress.
- Shifted invoicing cycles to a mid-month basis, reducing delays in payment processing.
- Negotiated extended payment terms with suppliers, improving working capital.
How VFD Pro Would Provide Incremental Value:
- Business Overview Report: Highlighting debtor and creditor days to drive informed financial decisions.
- Customer Analysis Reports: Identifying reliance on key customers and diversifying revenue streams.
- Financial Forecasting Tools: Enabling accurate projection of cash flows and funding requirements.
Case 3: Managing the Loss of a Major Client
A retail shopfitting company Josef worked with lost a major client, which accounted for over 40% of its revenue. This sudden drop in income required immediate action to stabilise the business.
Action taken:
- Conducted a financial analysis to streamline costs and adjust overheads.
- Developed new sales strategies to diversify customer acquisition.
- Improved financial planning to mitigate risks associated with customer concentration.
How VFD Pro Would Provide Incremental Value:
- Customer Targeting Model: Helping identify and acquire new profitable clients.
- Scenario Planning Tools: Modelling financial impacts of losing key customers and planning mitigation strategies.
- Profitability Analysis Reports: Assessing margins and optimising pricing strategies.
Case 4: Turning Around a Loss-Making Plant Hire Company
A construction group’s plant hire division was consistently operating at a loss, which hindered the group’s ability to secure financing. Josef identified that incorrect asset depreciation and pricing inefficiencies were the root causes.
Action taken:
- Adjusted asset depreciation schedules to reflect actual usage.
- Increased hire charges on underpriced equipment.
- Improved reporting transparency, strengthening financial credibility with banks.
How VFD Pro Would Provide Incremental Value:
- Board & Exit Planning Reports: Providing deeper insights into financial sustainability.
- Trend Analysis Reports: Identifying margin discrepancies and cost inefficiencies.
- Due Diligence Reports: Highlighting asset utilisation and depreciation impact.
Contact Josef Zbaraski Visit Website
Advisor’s Reflection:
“The VFD Pro suite of tools and models has transformed the way I deliver financial insights and strategic planning to my clients. By leveraging its robust reporting capabilities, I can quickly identify key financial challenges and opportunities, allowing businesses to make informed decisions with confidence. Whether it’s improving cash flow, optimising credit control, or providing clear profitability insights, VFD Pro ensures that my clients have the financial clarity they need to grow sustainably. The ability to generate customer and supplier analysis reports, scenario planning models, and funding proposals is invaluable, helping me deliver exceptional value and drive long-term business success. VFD Pro is not just a reporting tool – it’s a game-changer for financial leadership.”
– Josef Zbaraski, Blueski Financial Synergy