What Is a Fractional Controller?
A fractional controller is a part-time finance professional who oversees your accounting without being a full-time employee. They review the books, run the monthly close, build management reports and set up checks on how money moves. You get controller-level oversight without taking on a full-time employee.
What does a fractional controller do?
The controller role has one core purpose: make sure the numbers you use to run the business are accurate, timely and protected. Our version of that work covers:
- Month-end close oversight, so the books are finished and reviewed on a regular cycle
- Management reporting and budget vs actual comparisons
- Internal controls and process improvement
- Cash-flow monitoring and cash management
- Receivables and payables oversight
- Bookkeeping oversight and accounting team oversight
- Margin and profitability analysis
You can see the full list on the fractional controller service page. The work runs on a monthly reporting cycle.
Why "fractional"?
Fractional means part of a role, not the whole of it. A full-time controller works every day for one employer. A fractional controller provides the same kind of work part time, at the level your business needs. It suits a company that needs the oversight but does not have enough work for a full-time position.
How is it different from a bookkeeper?
A bookkeeper records transactions: bank feeds, bills, invoices, reconciliations. A controller reviews that work, owns the close, produces the reports and designs the controls. Our shorthand is "Record it. Control it. Drive it." The bookkeeper records it, the controller controls it, and the CFO drives it.
A small business can have a good bookkeeper and still have no review step. That gap is where a controller fits. The bookkeeper vs accountant vs controller guide goes through the three roles in detail, and the bookkeeping service covers the recording side.
Fractional controller vs fractional CFO: what is the difference?
The controller keeps the past and present numbers reliable. The CFO uses them to plan and make decisions. Many businesses need the first before the second. The full comparison is in controller vs CFO, and the CFO side is explained in what a fractional CFO is.
What does the monthly cycle look like?
A typical monthly cycle: the bookkeeping is finished, accounts are reconciled, and the result is reviewed before it becomes a report. The month-end close guide explains the steps, and you can follow along with the month-end close checklist.
When does a business need a fractional controller?
Common signs:
- The owner spends evenings finishing the books or reconciling accounts
- Reports arrive late, or nobody is sure they are right
- Nobody reviews the bookkeeper's work
- Cash feels tight and the profit figure does not explain why (see profit vs cash flow)
- Lenders, investors or partners are asking for better reporting
What are fractional controller rates at English Oak Financial?
English Oak Financial starts the fractional controller from $1,500 a month. Pricing is custom to your business and charged as one fixed monthly fee that includes all the work required. See pricing and how much a fractional controller costs.
When is a fractional controller not the right fit?
- Your books are simple and your bookkeeper already gets a review from someone you trust
- The books are far behind. That needs catch-up bookkeeping first
- You mainly need tax return preparation. We do not prepare tax returns, audit or give investment advice; your CPA or tax professional does that, and we work alongside them
- You need a full-time person in the office every day
This is general information, not tax or legal advice.
What does a fractional controller not do?
Being clear about limits helps. A fractional controller is not a tax preparer, an auditor or an investment adviser. We do not offer those services. A controller also does not replace your own decisions: the reports point out what is happening, and you decide what to do.
A controller is also not the same thing as the person who enters transactions every day. If you need that, look at bookkeeping. If you need forward planning, look at the fractional CFO role.
Who typically works with a fractional controller?
We work with start-ups and small growing businesses in most industries, apart from not-for-profit organizations. The usual reasons people come to us are that they have no time for the books, they do not understand the numbers, they are behind on work, a previous accountant let them down, or their provider is retiring. A controller can help with several of those at once.
What should you ask before hiring one?
- What exactly is on the monthly list of tasks?
- Who does the day-to-day bookkeeping, and who reviews it?
- Which accounting system will be used? (We work with QuickBooks and Xero.)
- What reports will I receive each month?
- Is the fee fixed or hourly, and what is outside it?
- What do you not do?
Good answers are specific. Vague answers are a reason to keep looking, whoever you hire.
Need this done for you? See our Fractional Financial Controller service, or pricing. English Oak Financial does not prepare tax returns, perform audits or give investment advice. This guide is general information, not tax, legal or investment advice.
Related pages
Common questions
What is a fractional controller in simple terms?
A part-time controller. They oversee your accounting and reporting on a regular schedule instead of being on your payroll full time.
What is the difference between a controller and a fractional controller?
The work is the same kind. A controller is employed full time by one company. A fractional controller provides the service part time, so a smaller business can have the oversight without a full-time salary.
Does a fractional controller replace my bookkeeper?
Not necessarily. Many controllers work above a bookkeeper, reviewing the output. Our bookkeeping oversight and accounting team oversight are part of the role.
Can a fractional controller do my taxes?
We do not prepare tax returns. We work alongside your CPA or tax professional and provide clean records to them.
Do I need a controller or a CFO?
If the books are unreliable or late, start with a controller. If the books are sound and your questions are about growth, funding or pricing, you are asking CFO questions.
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