Outsourced Controller
Outsourced Controller Services
Outsourced controllers for growing companies, nonprofits, and multi-entity businesses — monthly close, internal controls, financial reporting, and audit support without a full-time hire.
Controller vs Bookkeeper vs CFO
A bookkeeper records transactions and reconciles accounts. A controller owns the monthly close, financial statements, internal controls, and accounting policies. A CFO is forward-looking — forecasting, strategy, cash planning, board reporting, and fundraising. Most growing companies in the US need all three functions; a fractional or outsourced controller fills the middle role without a six-figure salary.
Financial Close & Reconciliations
Ownership of the monthly close — cutoff, accruals, prepaids, deferred revenue, fixed assets, intercompany, and reconciliations for every bank, credit card, loan, and balance sheet account. Close by the 10th–15th, every month.
Internal Controls
Segregation of duties, approval workflows, cash disbursement controls, expense policy enforcement, and documented month-end procedures. Enough process to prevent errors and fraud without slowing the business down.
Financial Reporting
GAAP-basis financials with variance analysis, department-level reporting, budget-to-actual, and management commentary. Board packages and lender reporting on schedule.
AR / AP Oversight
Weekly AR aging review, collections cadence, credit policy, and cash application. AP review, vendor onboarding, bill approval routing, and payment run oversight.
Payroll Review
Payroll register review before every run, GL mapping and payroll accrual entries, workers-comp audits, 941/940 reconciliation, and year-end W-2/1099 review.
Audit & Tax Support
Audit prep — PBC lists, schedules, tie-outs, and auditor liaison. Coordinated tax-basis adjustments and clean handoff to your CPA at year end.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should we hire an outsourced controller?
Most companies bring in an outsourced controller when revenue reaches $2M–$25M, the books get complex (accruals, deferred revenue, multiple entities, inventory), and the owner or CFO no longer wants to own the monthly close. In the US, this is typically 20–40 hours of controller-level work per month.
How is a controller different from a bookkeeper?
A bookkeeper records transactions and reconciles accounts. A controller reviews the bookkeeper's work, owns the close, sets accounting policy, manages internal controls, and produces GAAP-basis financials.
Do we still need a CFO if we have a controller?
Not always. A strong controller can produce monthly financials and cash reports. A CFO becomes essential when you need forecasting, fundraising, M&A support, or strategic financial leadership beyond compliance.
How much does an outsourced controller cost?
Outsourced controller engagements typically run $2,500–$8,000/month based on hours, complexity, and whether inventory, multi-entity, or audit support is included. Fractional controller work in the US is priced by scope, not per transaction.
Can the controller supervise our in-house bookkeeper?
Yes — that is the most common model. The outsourced controller reviews your bookkeeper's work, coaches on process, owns the close, and delivers financials the business owner and CFO can rely on.
Related services
Request Controller Support
Talk with an outsourced controller about your monthly close and reporting.
Advisor-grade guides
Downloadable ebooks & templates
CPA-ready playbooks and templates you can use today — instant downloads, no signup required.
The Small Business Tax & Profit Playbook
A CPA-ready guide to deductions, quarterly taxes, S-Corp strategy, owner pay, cash flow, and year-round tax planning.
Business Tax Deduction Checklist
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The Definitive Bookkeeping Cleanup & Recovery Guide
The CPA's step-by-step playbook for diagnosing messy books, reconstructing missing history, and restoring a clean, audit-ready ledger.
The Freelancer Tax Guide
The practical tax playbook for freelancers, contractors, and solo creatives — deductions, quarterly estimates, and self-employment strategies.
The Year-End Tax Planning Guide
The CPA's December playbook — practical strategies to reduce your tax bill before the year closes.
The Premium Bookkeeping Template Pack
Automated dashboards, multi-account reconciliations, and CPA-ready reporting workbooks for serious owners and bookkeepers.
Tax & Bookkeeping Resource Library
Our complete advisor-grade collection — every premium asset an owner needs to run clean books, lower taxes, and recover messy ledgers, in one bundle.