Financial reporting and analysis sits at the heart of every successful business. In the UK, where compliance, tax rules and investor expectations are all demanding, the need for accurate, timely and insightful financial information has never been higher. Yet many business owners and busy executives find themselves stretched thin, trying to balance strategy with spreadsheets.
That is why more UK companies are turning to virtual assistants who specialise in finance. These are not generic admin helpers. They are trained professionals who can manage reporting, cash flow tracking, reconciliations, forecasting and more, all while working remotely as part of your extended team.
In this guide, we will explore where to find these specialists, what to look for, how much to expect to pay and how our company, Teambuild Consultancy, fits into the picture for UK businesses looking for dependable financial support.
Why financial reporting VAs are in such high demand
Before looking at where to find them, it is worth understanding why finance focused virtual assistants are becoming so popular in the UK.
The UK has more than 5.5 million private sector businesses, and over 99 percent of them are SMEs. According to the Federation of Small Businesses, late or inaccurate financial reporting is one of the top reasons for cash flow problems and failed compliance. At the same time, the Office for National Statistics reports that professional services and finance roles are among the hardest to fill due to skills shortages.
This combination of pressure and scarcity has driven many firms to look outside traditional hiring models. Remote finance professionals, particularly from talent rich countries like the Philippines, provide a practical solution.
A skilled financial VA can handle tasks such as:
- Preparing monthly management accounts
- Tracking cash flow and budgets
- Reconciling bank and credit card statements
- Managing accounts payable and receivable
- Supporting payroll and expense reporting
- Assisting with audit preparation and compliance
This kind of support gives decision makers real time visibility over their finances, which directly improves planning and profitability.
The main places to find finance virtual assistants
In the UK market, there are several ways to source virtual assistants who specialise in financial reporting and analysis. Each route has its pros and cons, depending on your budget, time and need for oversight.
Freelance marketplaces
Platforms like Upwork, PeoplePerHour and Freelancer allow UK businesses to post jobs and receive applications from finance professionals around the world. You can search for bookkeepers, financial analysts and reporting specialists, review their profiles and hire them directly.
This approach offers flexibility and a wide pool of talent, but it also comes with risk. You are responsible for screening candidates, checking references and ensuring they have the skills they claim. Many businesses find that quality varies widely, especially for more complex reporting and analysis work.
Freelance marketplaces work best when:
- You need short term or project based financial support
- You have internal finance expertise to manage and review the work
- You are comfortable investing time in vetting candidates
Virtual assistant agencies
VA agencies specialise in recruiting, training and managing virtual assistants on behalf of clients. Some agencies focus on general admin, while others offer finance trained staff.
For UK companies, this can be a more reliable option because the agency handles recruitment, vetting and often provides replacement support if someone leaves. However, not all agencies offer deep financial expertise, so it is important to choose one with a proven track record in accounting and reporting.
This model is ideal if:
- You want ongoing financial support without HR headaches
- You value consistency and backup coverage
- You need help beyond simple bookkeeping
Outsourced finance and BPO firms
Business process outsourcing companies provide teams of finance professionals who can handle everything from bookkeeping to financial analysis. These firms often work with larger companies and offer structured service packages.
While they are powerful, they can be expensive and less personal. You may not get a dedicated individual who understands your business in detail.
This route suits:
- Mid sized and larger organisations
- Companies with complex reporting needs
- Firms looking for a fully managed service
Specialist providers like Teambuild Consultancy
At our company, Teambuild Consultancy, we sit in a space that blends the flexibility of virtual assistants with the reliability of an agency. We provide UK businesses with finance trained virtual assistants from the Philippines who become a dedicated part of their team.
We focus on long term partnerships, not just filling tasks. Our clients range from accountants and property firms to tech companies and busy executives who need financial clarity without the cost of a full time in house hire.
What to look for in a financial reporting VA
Not all virtual assistants are suitable for finance work. Financial reporting and analysis requires precision, confidentiality and a solid understanding of accounting principles.
When hiring, whether through us or another provider, look for these key qualities.
- Strong accounting knowledge: A good finance VA should understand the basics of bookkeeping, financial statements and reporting standards. They should know how to read a profit and loss statement, balance sheet and cash flow report, and understand how transactions flow through the accounts.
- Experience with UK relevant software: While the person may be based overseas, they should be comfortable with tools commonly used by UK businesses, such as Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, FreeAgent and Excel or Google Sheets.
- Attention to detail: Small errors in financial data can lead to big problems. Accuracy and consistency are non negotiable.
- Clear communication: Your VA must be able to explain numbers, flag issues and work with you or your accountant in a clear and professional way.
- Respect for confidentiality: Financial data is sensitive. Any finance VA should be willing to sign confidentiality agreements and follow secure data handling practices.
How UK businesses typically use financial VAs
In practice, most UK clients do not hand over everything at once. They start by outsourcing specific tasks and then expand as trust grows.
Common use cases include:
- Monthly management reporting for directors
- Day to day bookkeeping and reconciliations
- Preparing data for accountants and tax advisers
- Tracking project or property finances
- Producing cash flow forecasts for funding or planning
Many of our clients who start by hiring a virtual assistant for accountants soon find that having a finance trained VA frees up their internal team to focus on higher value advisory work.
How much does a financial VA cost in the UK?
Costs vary widely depending on where you hire from and the level of expertise.
UK based freelance bookkeepers and analysts typically charge anywhere from £20 to £60 per hour. That quickly adds up to several thousand pounds per month for even part time support.
By contrast, overseas finance VAs, particularly from the Philippines, offer much better value. The Philippines has a strong education system, a large number of accounting graduates and a culture that fits well with UK business.
At our company, Teambuild Consultancy, we keep pricing simple and transparent.
We offer two options for UK clients:
- Part time, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week, approximately £500 per month
- Full time, 8 hours per day, 5 days a week, approximately £900 per month
Our pricing is slightly different from some agencies that charge per hour or add hidden fees, but it is ideal for people who need consistent, dedicated financial support without worrying about fluctuating bills.
When you compare this to hiring in the UK, where a junior finance assistant might cost £25,000 to £30,000 per year plus taxes and benefits, the savings are obvious.
Why the Philippines is a strong source of finance talent
Many UK businesses ask why so many virtual assistants come from the Philippines.
There are several good reasons:
- The Philippines produces tens of thousands of accounting and finance graduates every year
- English is widely spoken and used in business and education
- The culture values professionalism, loyalty and service
- The time difference allows work to continue while UK teams sleep
From a financial reporting perspective, Filipino professionals are particularly strong in:
- Bookkeeping and reconciliation
- Management reporting
- Payroll and expense processing
- Data analysis and spreadsheet modelling
At our company, Teambuild Consultancy, we have built a large pool of talent across industries including accounting, property, admin, tech and executive support. This allows us to match clients with VAs who not only understand finance, but also their specific sector.
How our company supports UK businesses
We are a UK based consultancy providing virtual assistants from the Philippines to UK businesses. While we serve many industries, finance and accounting is one of our strongest areas.
We work with:
- Business owners who need better financial visibility
- Busy executives who want reliable reporting support
- Accounting firms that need scalable staffing
- Property and investment firms that track multiple assets
Some clients come to us specifically looking for help similar to what they would get from virtual accounting companies, but with more flexibility and a dedicated assistant rather than a faceless service.
When you work with us, you get a VA who becomes part of your team. They log into your systems, follow your processes and communicate with you just like a local employee would.
How financial VAs fit into your existing setup
One common concern is whether an accounting virtual assistant can really integrate with your current accountant or finance team.
In practice, it often works very well.
Your finance VA can:
- Prepare data and reports for your accountant
- Maintain clean books throughout the year
- Answer questions and supply documents quickly
- Reduce the workload and fees charged by external accountants
This is especially useful for UK SMEs who want to control costs while still meeting compliance and reporting standards.
Common mistakes to avoid when hiring
Even though virtual assistants offer huge benefits, there are a few pitfalls to watch out for.
- Hiring purely on price: The cheapest option is not always the best. Financial work requires skill and responsibility. It is better to pay a fair rate for someone competent than save a little and deal with errors later.
- Not defining tasks clearly: You should know exactly what you want the VA to handle, from daily bookkeeping to monthly reports. Clarity leads to better results.
- Ignoring data security: Make sure you use secure logins, password managers and clear policies when giving a VA access to financial systems.
The future of financial virtual assistants in the UK
The trend toward remote finance support is only going to grow. According to industry research, the global virtual assistant market is expected to exceed $25 billion by 2025, with finance and accounting being one of the fastest growing segments.
In the UK, rising wage costs and ongoing skills shortages mean more companies will look overseas for reliable financial talent. Virtual assistants provide a way to stay competitive without sacrificing quality.
Final thoughts
Finding a virtual assistant who specialises in financial reporting and analysis can transform the way your UK business operates. With the right person in place, you gain clarity, control and confidence in your numbers.
Whether you use freelance marketplaces, traditional agencies or a provider like us at Teambuild Consultancy, the key is to focus on skills, reliability and fit.
At our company, we believe that combining UK based support with highly skilled professionals from the Philippines gives businesses the best of both worlds. Transparent pricing, dedicated assistants and access to global talent make it easier than ever to get the financial support you need.
If you are ready to improve your reporting, free up your time and gain better insight into your business, a finance trained virtual assistant might be the smartest hire you make this year.
