Professional Background

Harriet Formby is a radical Fractional CFO and business mentor, dedicated to empowering mission-led small businesses, startups, and SMEs to build finances that do good and feel good. With a First Class Degree and Distinction at Masters level, she has published academic journals and spoken on Business Strategy and Change Management. An ICAEW Chartered Accountant (the Gold Standard), Harriet has a track record of transforming visions into profitable realities across diverse industries, from tech startups to international groups.

Harriet has been ‘in the trenches’, helping creative and tech startups blossom. She has crafted growth plans, built finance functions that can go the distance, and secured impressive funding. On the corporate side, Harriet has led finance transformations and technical international accounting projects for Fortune 500 companies and private equity-backed groups, including integrating acquired businesses into international multinationals. Certified in PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma, and Agile, Harriet brings advanced commercial, financial, and operational expertise to the small business stage.

After a stint in the corporate world, Harriet circled back to her roots and real passion: working with inspiring business owners, founders, and heart-led souls to make a lasting impact and pave the way for positive change. Harriet has a particular interest in helping creative and neurodivergent founders navigate the financial maze and build ventures that are not just profitable but game-changing.

Below The Line Finance Chartered Accountants

In 2020, Harriet founded Below The Line Finance Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors, and then Get Number Savvy™ Inclusive Finance Learning Platform. Her mission is to transform the often intimidating world of finance into a friendly and approachable space, empowering purpose-driven entrepreneurs to thrive. Harriet’s career began at university, helping not-for-profits implement systems to focus on their impact. Disillusioned with corporate accountancy, she returned to her roots founding Below The Line Finance to support businesses that prioritise ethical and holistic approaches and honouring our emotional and creative selves.  Through Fractional CFO advice, business mentoring, finance training and events that focus on feeling good about money while doing good.

Holistic Approach To Money

Harriet recently completed the revolutionary Trauma of Money™ Practitioner Certification, bringing a trauma-informed and holistic perspective to finance. She believes business owners are unique individuals with their own stories, hopes, and dreams that shape how they feel about money. By honouring this, she creates financial strategies that empower and inspire.

As a Member of the Association of Business Mentors and an ILM Level 7 Executive Coach & Mentor, Harriet also mentors on respected entrepreneurial programs, including the Help To Grow Scheme and the Natwest Business Accelerator.

Welcome to a world where finance feels more joyful, inclusive, and oh-so empowering!

Personal Touch

Beyond numbers, Harriet has always been a creative dreamer, passionate about history, languages, and the arts – she was never a ‘maths person’. 

5 years ago Harriet ditched the corporate world and commuting to embracing the good life at her 15-acre smallholding with rare breed poultry, retired racehorses, and a flock of sheep, which partially inspired the name “Below The Line”. 

Harriet is a Libra Sun, Scorpio Moon and Gemini Rising.  A 2 4 splenic projector in human design, who loves connecting with nature and proudly embraces her emotions, believing that financial empowerment and entrepreneurship is a profoundly spiritual thing!