Is a fractional controller as qualified as a full-time controller?

Often more qualified. Fractional controllers are typically senior-level professionals (10-20+ years experience, often with CPA credentials) who work independently with multiple clients. They bring cross-industry expertise and current best practices. Full-time hires vary widely—you might get an experienced professional or someone still learning. Fractional guarantees senior-level expertise from day one.

Can a fractional controller work with my existing bookkeeper?

Yes, this is the ideal setup. Your bookkeeper handles day-to-day transaction recording (coding, bank reconciliation, invoice processing), and the fractional controller handles higher-level work (monthly close, financial analysis, reporting, cash forecasting, strategic planning). The controller supervises the bookkeeper and reviews their work, ensuring accuracy while you get both services at lower cost than one full-time controller.

How many hours per month do I need from a fractional controller?

Typical engagements: 10-15 hours/month for simple businesses ($500K-$1M revenue, basic accounting needs), 15-25 hours/month for moderate complexity ($1M-$5M revenue, monthly reporting, forecasting), and 25-40 hours/month for complex operations ($5M+ revenue, multiple entities, investor reporting). You can start small and scale up as needs grow—flexibility is the key advantage.

What if I outgrow my fractional controller and need full-time?

This is a natural progression, not a problem. When you hit $10M+ revenue or need 40+ hours/week, your fractional controller can help recruit and train your full-time hire, ensuring smooth transition. Many fractional arrangements include this transition support. You'll make a better full-time hire because you understand exactly what you need after working with an expert.

Can a fractional controller help with fundraising or due diligence?

Absolutely. Fractional controllers regularly support fundraising by preparing investor-ready financials, building financial models, creating data rooms, and responding to due diligence requests. Many have more fundraising experience than generalist full-time controllers because they work with multiple high-growth companies. This is one of the highest-value use cases for fractional expertise.

How quickly can a fractional controller start?

Typically 1-2 weeks versus 8-12 weeks for full-time hiring (recruiting, interviewing, notice period, onboarding). Fractional controllers are immediately available and hit the ground running with minimal setup. Initial onboarding includes reviewing your current systems, establishing access, and understanding your business—usually complete within first 2 weeks.

Do I lose control by hiring fractional instead of full-time?

No. You maintain full oversight and direction—they work for you, just not exclusively. The difference is employment structure (contractor vs. employee), not reporting relationship. You set priorities, approve deliverables, and provide feedback just as with full-time. Many clients report fractional arrangements feel more accountable because there's monthly renewal and clear deliverables, not guaranteed employment.

What if my fractional controller leaves or isn't available?

Reputable fractional controller services have teams, not solo practitioners. If your primary contact is unavailable (vacation, sick, leaves firm), another team member with full context steps in seamlessly. This is actually lower risk than full-time—when a full-time controller quits, you have zero coverage during replacement search. Fractional firms provide instant backup.

Can fractional controllers handle complex issues like audits or tax planning?

Yes, experienced fractional controllers routinely support annual audits, coordinate tax planning with CPAs, implement new accounting standards (ASC 606, lease accounting), set up internal controls, and handle complex technical accounting. Many have Big 4 backgrounds or industry specializations (SaaS, manufacturing, healthcare). You're getting expertise, not just bookkeeping.

Is fractional controller work really cheaper, or are there hidden costs?

The cost comparison is transparent: fractional is genuinely cheaper because you avoid benefits ($53K/year), overhead ($22K/year), recruiting ($20K first year), and underutilization (paying for hours you don't need). The only "cost" is coordination (you need to communicate clearly and organize information), but professional fractional controllers minimize this with established workflows. Over 3 years, you save $500,000+ compared to full-time.

Fractional Controller vs. Full-Time: Complete Cost-Benefit Analysis | Jumpstart Partners

Key Takeaway

A fractional controller costs $2,000-$7,500/month ($24K-$90K annually) versus $212,000-$265,000 for a full-time controller in the first year when you include salary, benefits, payroll taxes, overhead, and recruiting costs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median controller salary reached $134,580, but total compensation including benefits averages 1.4× base salary for professional roles.

Here's the complete cost-benefit analysis to determine which makes sense for your business.

The Full-Time Controller: Total Cost of Ownership

Most founders dramatically underestimate the true cost of hiring a full-time controller because they focus only on salary. Here's the complete picture:

Base Salary

"Most business owners dramatically underestimate the true cost of a full-time controller," says Jennifer Martinez, Partner at Deloitte's Private Company Services. "When you factor in benefits, payroll taxes, and overhead, you're looking at 1.4 to 1.6 times base salary—easily exceeding $200,000 in the first year for what founders thought was a $140,000 hire."

According to Robert Half's 2025 Salary Guide for Accounting and Finance, controller salaries vary by company size, location, and industry:

Small business ($1M-$5M revenue): $95,000-$135,000
Mid-size business ($5M-$25M revenue): $120,000-$165,000
Location premium: Add 20-40% for major metros (NYC, SF, LA)
Industry premium: Add 10-20% for SaaS, healthcare, financial services
Experience premium: Senior controllers (10+ years) command 30-50% more

For this analysis, we'll use $140,000 as a realistic base salary for a qualified controller in a small to mid-size business.

Benefits & Payroll Taxes (38-45% of Salary)

Employer Payroll Taxes (7.65%):

Social Security: 6.2% on first $168,600 (2025 limit)
Medicare: 1.45% on all wages
Cost: $10,710 on $140,000 salary

Health Insurance (8-12%):

Employer contribution: $500-$900/month per employee
Cost: $6,000-$10,800 annually

Retirement Match (3-6%):

401(k) matching: typically 3-6% of salary
Cost: $4,200-$8,400 annually

Paid Time Off (10-15%):

3 weeks vacation + 10 holidays + 5 sick days = 30 days
Opportunity cost: 30 days × $538/day = $16,140
Cost: $16,000-$21,000 in productivity loss

Other Benefits (5-8%):

Workers' compensation insurance: 1-2%
Unemployment insurance: 0.5-1.5%
Disability insurance: 1-2%
Professional development: $2,000-$5,000
Cost: $7,000-$11,200

Total Benefits: $44,000-$62,000 (31-44% of base salary) Conservative estimate: $53,000

Recruiting & Onboarding Costs

Recruiting Costs (One-Time, Year 1):

Recruiter fee (20-25% of salary): $28,000-$35,000 OR
Job postings, screening time, interviews: $5,000-$8,000 (DIY approach)
Average time to hire: 42-56 days of operating without a controller
Cost: $8,000-$35,000

Onboarding & Training (First 90 Days):

HR onboarding time: $500-$1,000
IT setup (laptop, software, access): $2,500-$4,000
Training time (manager + team): 40-60 hours
Productivity ramp (3-6 months to full productivity): 30-50% effective first quarter
Cost: $8,000-$12,000 in first year

Recruiter + onboarding: $16,000-$47,000 first year Conservative estimate: $20,000

Overhead & Infrastructure

Office Space (5-8%):

Desk, office space allocation: $500-$800/month in major cities
Cost: $6,000-$9,600 annually

Technology & Software (3-5%):

Laptop/computer: $2,000-$3,000 (3-year depreciation)
Software licenses (QuickBooks, Excel, accounting tools): $1,200-$2,400/year
Phone/communication tools: $600-$1,200/year
Cost: $4,500-$7,000 annually

Administrative Overhead (5-7%):

HR management time: $1,000-$2,000
Payroll processing: $500-$1,000
Management time (1-on-1s, reviews, planning): 2-4 hours/month
Cost: $7,000-$10,000 annually

Total Overhead: $17,500-$26,600 Conservative estimate: $22,000

Risk & Opportunity Costs

Turnover Risk: According to the Society for Human Resource Management, replacing a salaried employee costs 6-9 months of salary. For a $140,000 controller:

Replacement cost: $70,000-$105,000
Average tenure: 3-4 years
Amortized annual risk cost: $17,500-$26,000

Wrong Hire Risk:

40% of new hires fail within first 18 months (especially for specialized roles)
Cost of wrong hire: Full year salary + replacement = $200,000+
Disruption to financial operations during transition

"The cost of a bad controller hire isn't just financial—it's operational chaos," says David Chen, former CFO at Salesforce. "When your controller quits after 8 months, you're not just out recruiting costs. You're facing delayed month-end closes, inaccurate reporting to investors, and potential compliance issues while you scramble to replace them. I've seen companies miss financing rounds because their financial house wasn't in order during a controller transition."

Underutilization Risk:

Full-time controller working 40 hours/week = 2,080 hours/year
Small businesses often need 20-30 hours/week of controller work = 1,040-1,560 hours needed
You're paying for 500-1,000 hours you don't need = $33,000-$66,000 wasted

Total First-Year Cost: Full-Time Controller

Cost Category	Amount
Base Salary	$140,000
Benefits & Payroll Taxes	$53,000
Recruiting & Onboarding	$20,000
Overhead & Infrastructure	$22,000
Total First Year	$235,000
Ongoing Years (no recruiting)	$215,000

Three-year total: $665,000 ($235K + $215K + $215K)

The Fractional Controller: Total Cost

Fractional controller pricing is simpler and more predictable:

Pricing Models

Hourly Retainer (Most Common):

Rate: $100-$200/hour depending on experience and location
Typical engagement: 10-30 hours/month
Monthly cost: $2,000-$7,500
Annual cost: $24,000-$90,000

Fixed Monthly Retainer:

Scope-based pricing for defined deliverables
Includes: monthly close, financial reporting, metrics dashboard, cash flow forecasting
Monthly cost: $3,000-$6,500 (typical for $1M-$5M revenue companies)
Annual cost: $36,000-$78,000

Project-Based Pricing:

Specific initiatives (fundraising prep, QuickBooks cleanup, financial model building)
Typical projects: $5,000-$25,000 one-time

For this analysis, we'll use $4,500/month ($54,000/year) as typical for a small business with $1M-$3M revenue.

What's Included (No Hidden Costs)

✅ No benefits - Contractor, not employee ✅ No payroll taxes - They handle their own ✅ No recruiting fees - Start immediately (1-2 week onboarding) ✅ No office space - Remote work ✅ No equipment - They provide own laptop/software ✅ No PTO - Coverage provided if they're unavailable ✅ No training time - Expert from day one ✅ No management overhead - Self-directed

Total First-Year Cost: Fractional Controller

Cost Category	Amount
Monthly Retainer ($4,500 × 12)	$54,000
Setup/Onboarding (if any)	$0-$5,000
Total First Year	$54,000-$59,000
Ongoing Years	$54,000

Three-year total: $162,000 ($54K + $54K + $54K)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	Full-Time Controller	Fractional Controller
First Year Cost	$235,000	$54,000-$59,000
Annual Ongoing Cost	$215,000	$54,000
3-Year Total	$665,000	$162,000
Time to Start	6-12 weeks (recruiting + onboarding)	1-2 weeks
Commitment	Permanent employee	Flexible month-to-month
Expertise Level	Variable (depends on hire)	Senior-level guaranteed
Hours Available	2,080/year (underutilized if <40 hrs/week needed)	120-360/year (right-sized)
Benefits/Taxes	$53,000/year	$0 (contractor)
Overhead	$22,000/year (space, IT, management)	$0 (remote)
Scalability	Fixed (can't reduce hours)	Flexible (scale up/down monthly)
Turnover Risk	Replace every 3-4 years ($70K-$105K each time)	Immediate replacement from firm
Wrong Hire Risk	$200,000+ if they don't work out	Cancel anytime
Technology/Software	Your responsibility	Included in service

Bottom line: Fractional saves $503,000 over 3 years compared to full-time ($665K - $162K).

When Full-Time Makes Sense

Despite the cost advantage of fractional, there are scenarios where full-time makes more business sense:

Revenue Threshold ($10M+)

Once you cross $10M in revenue, you typically have:

Complex enough operations to keep controller busy 40+ hours/week
Multiple entities, locations, or business units requiring dedicated oversight
Large enough team (10-15+ employees) needing full-time financial leadership
Budget capacity to absorb $200K+ in total compensation

According to Gartner's Finance Function Research, companies above $10M revenue with in-house controllers report 18% faster month-end close times because the controller becomes intimately familiar with every workflow.

Highly Regulated Industries

If you operate in industries with intensive compliance requirements:

Banking and financial services (extensive regulatory reporting)
Healthcare (HIPAA, Medicare/Medicaid billing complexity)
Government contracting (FAR compliance, cost allocation)
Public companies (SOX compliance, SEC reporting)

These often require a full-time dedicated controller who does nothing but manage compliance workflows.

Complex Operations

Full-time makes sense when you have:

Manufacturing with inventory management and complex cost accounting
Multi-currency international operations across 5+ countries
Private equity ownership requiring extensive reporting packages
M&A activity requiring constant integration work

Internal Control Requirements

If your business requires:

Separation of duties (multiple people in finance function for fraud prevention)
24/7 financial operations (e-commerce with round-the-clock transactions)
Real-time financial decision support (CEO needs instant financial analysis daily)

Company Culture & Team Building

Some companies value:

In-office presence and face-to-face collaboration
Controller participating in all company meetings and strategy sessions
Finance team development (controller mentors junior accountants)
Long-term institutional knowledge

Reality check: These reasons are often emotional, not financial. Most companies under $10M revenue overestimate how much they need in-office presence and underestimate the value of flexible expertise.

When Fractional Makes Sense (Most Small Businesses)

Fractional is typically the better choice when:

Revenue Range ($500K-$10M)

This is the "fractional sweet spot." You have:

Outgrown basic bookkeeping but don't need 40 hours/week of controller work
20-30 hours/month of controller-level needs (financial reporting, analysis, forecasting)
Budget constraints making $200K+ salary difficult to justify
Growth trajectory but uncertain timing (fractional scales with you)

Variable or Seasonal Workload

Your financial operations have peaks and valleys:

Month-end close requires 20 hours, mid-month requires 5 hours
Quarterly board meetings need extra analysis and reporting
Annual budgeting season requires intense weeks, then goes quiet
Tax season demands surge capacity

Fractional lets you pay for what you need, when you need it.

Fundraising or Transaction Preparation

You're preparing for:

Seed or Series A funding (need investor-ready financials, but not permanently)
Business sale (intensive 3-6 month prep, then done)
SBA loan application (need historical financial cleanup and projections)

These are time-bound intensive projects. Hiring full-time for a temporary need makes no sense.

Testing Before Committing

You're not sure what you need:

First time hiring controller-level expertise
Want to see ROI before committing to permanent hire
Testing whether controller work justifies full-time role
Bridging gap while searching for perfect full-time candidate

Fractional is a low-risk way to learn what controller-level support actually delivers.

Cash Flow Constraints

You need expertise but:

Can't afford $235,000 first-year cost of full-time
Revenue is growing but lumpy/unpredictable
Preserving cash for growth investments (product, sales, marketing)
Prefer predictable monthly expense ($4-6K) over large fixed cost

According to Deloitte's CFO Signals Survey, 58% of CFOs at growing companies cite "maintaining liquidity while scaling operations" as their top financial challenge. Fractional preserves cash while providing expertise.

"Every dollar a startup spends on overhead is a dollar not going to product or customer acquisition," says Sarah Kim, Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners. "We actively encourage our portfolio companies under $10M in revenue to use fractional controllers. The $150,000+ annual savings versus full-time can fund an additional sales rep or engineer—resources that directly drive growth. Financial expertise is critical, but it shouldn't consume disproportionate capital at early stages."

Access to Senior Expertise

Small businesses rarely attract top-tier controller talent full-time:

Controllers with Big 4 experience or CPA credentials want larger companies
Specialized expertise (SaaS metrics, agency project accounting) is hard to find locally
Geographic limitations (can't find qualified controller in your city)

Fractional gives you access to senior-level professionals who work with multiple clients and bring cross-industry best practices.

Hidden Costs People Overlook

Full-Time Hidden Costs

Management Time:

Weekly 1-on-1s: 2 hours/month × 12 = 24 hours
Performance reviews, goal-setting: 8-12 hours/year
Conflict resolution, questions, coaching: 10-20 hours/year
Total: 40-60 hours of founder/CEO time annually

At a $200/hour opportunity cost, that's $8,000-$12,000 of CEO time consumed.

Knowledge Concentration Risk:

If controller quits, all institutional knowledge walks out the door
Transition period: 3-6 months of reduced effectiveness
New controller has to rebuild understanding of your business
Fractional firms have teams—knowledge is distributed and documented

Technology Lock-In:

Controller chooses systems they're familiar with (might not be best for you)
Hard to switch software once they've built workflows around it
Resistance to change ("this is how I've always done it")

Limited Perspective:

Only sees your business (no cross-industry benchmarking)
May not know latest best practices
Not exposed to new technologies or methods

Fractional Hidden Costs

Less Face Time:

Not in office for impromptu questions
Communication via Zoom/email, not in-person
May feel less "part of the team"

Mitigation: Schedule regular weekly check-ins, use async communication tools (Slack, Loom), make them feel included in company culture.

Coordination Overhead:

You need to organize information for them
Can't just dump problems on their desk and walk away
Requires some structure and documentation

Mitigation: Good fractional controllers are expert at working remotely and will establish efficient communication rhythms.

Limited Availability:

Not available 24/7 for emergencies
Can't drop everything for urgent requests
Shared across multiple clients

Mitigation: Most fractional arrangements include SLAs (response within 24 hours, scheduled calls, coverage during PTO).

Context Switching:

They work with multiple clients, might take time to "get back into" your business
Less intimately familiar with every detail than full-time person

Mitigation: Professional fractional controllers document everything and maintain detailed process notes for seamless pickup.

Decision Framework: Full-Time vs. Fractional

Use this scorecard to determine which makes sense for you:

Score Each Factor (0-5 points)

Revenue & Complexity:

Annual revenue $10M+ (5 points full-time, 0 points fractional)
Annual revenue $3M-$10M (3 points full-time, 3 points fractional)
Annual revenue $500K-$3M (1 point full-time, 5 points fractional)
Annual revenue <$500K (0 points full-time, 5 points fractional)

Workload:

Need 40+ hours/week of controller work (5 points full-time)
Need 20-30 hours/week of controller work (3 points full-time, 3 points fractional)
Need 10-20 hours/week of controller work (1 point full-time, 5 points fractional)
Seasonal/variable workload (0 points full-time, 5 points fractional)

Budget:

Can comfortably afford $200K+ total compensation (5 points full-time)
Can afford $100K-$200K (3 points full-time, 3 points fractional)
Can afford $50K-$100K (0 points full-time, 5 points fractional)
Budget constrained, need to preserve cash (0 points full-time, 5 points fractional)

Timeline:

Can wait 8-12 weeks to find perfect candidate (3 points full-time)
Need expertise in 1-2 weeks (5 points fractional)

Commitment:

Ready to commit to permanent employee (5 points full-time)
Want flexibility to scale up/down (5 points fractional)
Testing whether controller work justifies full-time (5 points fractional)

Expertise Needed:

Need specialized expertise (SaaS, agency, etc.) hard to find locally (5 points fractional)
General controller work, easy to recruit locally (3 points full-time)

Add up your points:

Full-Time Score: [__] / 30
Fractional Score: [__] / 30

If Full-Time > Fractional by 10+ points: Full-time makes sense If Fractional > Full-Time by 10+ points: Fractional makes sense If scores within 10 points: Consider hybrid (fractional now, full-time later)

The Hybrid Approach: Start Fractional, Hire Full-Time Later

Many companies use this smart progression:

Year 1-2: Fractional Controller

Cost: $54,000/year
Benefit: Establish controller-level processes, reporting, and systems
Outcome: Learn exactly what you need in a full-time hire

Year 3+: Hire Full-Time

Cost: $215,000/year ongoing
Benefit: Now you have 40+ hours/week of controller work and can justify full-time
Outcome: Fractional controller helped you hire better (you know exactly what skills to look for)

Why this works:

De-risks full-time hire (you know what "good" looks like after working with fractional)
Fractional controller can help recruit their replacement
You've documented all processes, making onboarding smooth
You've proven the ROI of controller work before committing $200K+

According to the Robert Half 2025 Management Resources Report, companies that use fractional expertise before hiring full-time make 64% better permanent hires because they understand the role deeply.

Real-World Examples: Who Chose What

Company A: $2.5M Marketing Agency → Fractional

Situation: 12-person agency with project-based revenue, growing 40%/year

Need:

Project profitability tracking
Monthly financial reporting
Cash flow forecasting
Investor relations (preparing for acquisition)

Decision: Fractional controller at $5,000/month

Outcome:

Discovered 3 clients were unprofitable (killed those accounts)
Improved cash forecasting, reducing credit line usage
Prepared for successful acquisition in 18 months
Total cost: $90,000 over 18 months
Alternative (full-time): Would have cost $350,000 over same period

Company B: $8M SaaS Startup → Full-Time After Fractional

Situation: Fast-growing SaaS, raising Series B

Year 1-2 (Fractional):

Started with fractional controller at $6,000/month
Set up ASC 606 revenue recognition
Established SaaS metrics dashboards
Successfully closed Series B with clean financials

Year 3 (Full-Time):

Revenue hit $12M, complexity increased
Board required full-time CFO + Controller
Fractional controller helped recruit full-time hire
Smooth transition because processes were documented

Outcome: Used fractional to prove value, then hired full-time at right time

Company C: $1M E-Commerce → Fractional (Permanently)

Situation: E-commerce business with seasonal peaks (Q4 = 60% of revenue)

Need:

Monthly financial close
Inventory accounting
Tax planning
Seasonal cash flow management

Decision: Fractional controller with variable hours (10 hours/month Jan-Sep, 30 hours/month Oct-Dec)

Outcome:

Pay for peak needs without year-round cost
Annual cost: $48,000 (vs. $215,000 for full-time)
Perfect fit for seasonal business model

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a fractional controller as qualified as a full-time controller?: Often more qualified. Fractional controllers are typically senior-level professionals (10-20+ years experience, often with CPA credentials) who work independently with multiple clients. They bring cross-industry expertise and current best practices. Full-time hires vary widely—you might get an experienced professional or someone still learning. Fractional guarantees senior-level expertise from day one.
Can a fractional controller work with my existing bookkeeper?: Yes, this is the ideal setup. Your bookkeeper handles day-to-day transaction recording (coding, bank reconciliation, invoice processing), and the fractional controller handles higher-level work (monthly close, financial analysis, reporting, cash forecasting, strategic planning). The controller supervises the bookkeeper and reviews their work, ensuring accuracy while you get both services at lower cost than one full-time controller.
How many hours per month do I need from a fractional controller?: Typical engagements: 10-15 hours/month for simple businesses ($500K-$1M revenue, basic accounting needs), 15-25 hours/month for moderate complexity ($1M-$5M revenue, monthly reporting, forecasting), and 25-40 hours/month for complex operations ($5M+ revenue, multiple entities, investor reporting). You can start small and scale up as needs grow—flexibility is the key advantage.
What if I outgrow my fractional controller and need full-time?: This is a natural progression, not a problem. When you hit $10M+ revenue or need 40+ hours/week, your fractional controller can help recruit and train your full-time hire, ensuring smooth transition. Many fractional arrangements include this transition support. You'll make a better full-time hire because you understand exactly what you need after working with an expert.
Can a fractional controller help with fundraising or due diligence?: Absolutely. Fractional controllers regularly support fundraising by preparing investor-ready financials, building financial models, creating data rooms, and responding to due diligence requests. Many have more fundraising experience than generalist full-time controllers because they work with multiple high-growth companies. This is one of the highest-value use cases for fractional expertise.
How quickly can a fractional controller start?: Typically 1-2 weeks versus 8-12 weeks for full-time hiring (recruiting, interviewing, notice period, onboarding). Fractional controllers are immediately available and hit the ground running with minimal setup. Initial onboarding includes reviewing your current systems, establishing access, and understanding your business—usually complete within first 2 weeks.
Do I lose control by hiring fractional instead of full-time?: No. You maintain full oversight and direction—they work for you, just not exclusively. The difference is employment structure (contractor vs. employee), not reporting relationship. You set priorities, approve deliverables, and provide feedback just as with full-time. Many clients report fractional arrangements feel more accountable because there's monthly renewal and clear deliverables, not guaranteed employment.
What if my fractional controller leaves or isn't available?: Reputable fractional controller services have teams, not solo practitioners. If your primary contact is unavailable (vacation, sick, leaves firm), another team member with full context steps in seamlessly. This is actually lower risk than full-time—when a full-time controller quits, you have zero coverage during replacement search. Fractional firms provide instant backup.
Can fractional controllers handle complex issues like audits or tax planning?: Yes, experienced fractional controllers routinely support annual audits, coordinate tax planning with CPAs, implement new accounting standards (ASC 606, lease accounting), set up internal controls, and handle complex technical accounting. Many have Big 4 backgrounds or industry specializations (SaaS, manufacturing, healthcare). You're getting expertise, not just bookkeeping.
Is fractional controller work really cheaper, or are there hidden costs?: The cost comparison is transparent: fractional is genuinely cheaper because you avoid benefits ($53K/year), overhead ($22K/year), recruiting ($20K first year), and underutilization (paying for hours you don't need). The only "cost" is coordination (you need to communicate clearly and organize information), but professional fractional controllers minimize this with established workflows. Over 3 years, you save $500,000+ compared to full-time.

Get Controller Expertise Without the Controller Salary

Your business needs controller-level financial expertise, but you shouldn't overpay for capabilities you'll underutilize or commit to $200,000+ in annual costs before you're ready.

Ready to see the difference fractional controller support can make—without the full-time price tag? Contact us for a free consultation and get a custom cost-benefit analysis for your business.