An experienced controller for a few days a month. They own the month-end close, produce GAAP financials you can trust, and get you ready for audits, tax and investors.
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A fractional controller is an experienced accounting leader who manages a company's accounting function part-time. They own the month-end close, produce accurate GAAP financial statements, set up internal controls, manage bookkeepers and prepare the company for audits and tax. Most engagements cost $2,000–$8,000 a month.
A controller sits between your bookkeeper and your CFO. The bookkeeper records transactions. The controller makes sure the books are complete, correct and closed on time, and that the financial statements follow accounting standards. The CFO uses those numbers to plan and raise money.
Most companies don't need a full-time controller until they have a sizable finance team. Before then, a fractional controller gives you the same expertise for a few days a month: a reliable close process, clean revenue recognition, reconciled accounts and controls that stop errors and fraud.
It's often the first finance hire to make. A CFO is only as good as the numbers underneath, and many fractional CFOs ask for a controller before they start.
TL;DR
A fractional controller typically costs $2,000–$8,000 a month, depending on transaction volume and complexity. Hourly rates run about $75–$200. GoFractional's live data shows an average of $121 an hour, or $4,400–$7,800 a month for about 13 hours a week.
Typical monthly retainer
$2,500–$8,000/mo
Hourly rate in live job posts
$85–$150/hr
Monthly cost in live job posts
$4,400–$7,800/mo
| Pricing model | Typical range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $75–$200 per hour | Cleanup projects, audit prep, one-off accounting questions |
| Light retainer | $2,000–$4,000 per month | Reviewing the bookkeeper's close and producing monthly financials |
| Standard retainer | $4,000–$8,000 per month | Owning the close, GAAP reporting, controls and the accounting team |
| Project | Fixed fee | Books cleanup, a systems migration or first-audit readiness |
| Full-time controller | About $216,000 per year loaded | Large transaction volumes and a finance team of several people |
A full-time controller costs about $216,000 a year once salary, payroll tax and benefits are included. Most companies under $20M–$30M in revenue don't have enough controller-level work to fill a full week, which is why the fractional model is so common.
More invoices, bills, payroll runs and bank accounts mean more hours.
SaaS contracts, usage billing, inventory and multiple entities all add complexity.
Messy books need a cleanup project before the monthly retainer settles down.
An upcoming financial audit or due diligence adds controls and documentation work.
A fractional controller owns the accuracy of your numbers. That usually covers these areas.
A documented close checklist that finishes in days, not weeks.
Income statement, balance sheet and cash flow you can hand to investors or a lender.
Correct treatment of contracts, deferred revenue and multi-element deals.
Approval rules, separation of duties and reconciliations that catch errors early.
Schedules and documentation for auditors and your tax preparer.
Managing bookkeepers or an outsourced firm, and choosing the right accounting tools.
Three roles that are often confused, and what each one does.
| Role | Focus | Looks | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeper | Recording transactions, paying bills, payroll | Day to day | $500–$2,500/mo |
| Fractional controller | Close, accuracy, GAAP, controls | Backward: what happened | $2,000–$8,000/mo |
| Fractional CFO | Forecasting, strategy, fundraising | Forward: what to do next | $3,000–$15,000/mo |
Most growing companies need all three layers, each part-time. If you can only afford one senior hire and your books are unreliable, start with the controller.
These are the most common triggers.
When not to hire one: Small businesses with simple cash-based books and no audit requirement can usually rely on a good bookkeeper and an outside accountant.
Financials arrive three to six weeks after month end, too late to act on.
Last month's results get revised, and leadership stops trusting the reports.
Investors, lenders or a buyer will look at your books in detail.
Revenue recognition, multiple entities or inventory are beyond their experience.
Senior operators who have done this job. Many offer an intro call, so you can check fit before you commit.
Ask about specific outcomes, not credentials. A good candidate will tell you what didn't work as readily as what did.
Which accounting systems and industries have you worked in?
How long would our close take once your process is in place?
Have you prepared a company for its first audit?
How do you work with our bookkeeper or outsourced firm?
Do you expect a cleanup project first?
Still have questions? Email our team and we'll help you work out what you need.
A fractional controller typically costs $2,000–$8,000 per month, with hourly rates of about $75–$200. GoFractional's live data shows an average of $121 an hour, or $4,400–$7,800 a month at about 13 hours a week.
A fractional controller owns the accuracy of your books part-time: running the month-end close, producing GAAP financial statements, setting up internal controls, managing bookkeepers and preparing for audits and tax.
A controller looks backward and makes sure the numbers are accurate and complete. A CFO looks forward and uses those numbers for forecasting, strategy and fundraising.
A bookkeeper records transactions. A controller checks and closes the books, applies accounting standards and owns controls. Once you have audits, investors or complex revenue, you usually need both.
When the month-end close takes too long, numbers keep changing after the fact, an audit or due diligence is coming, or the business has outgrown its bookkeeper.
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