Running a small business takes skill, focus, and dedication. You’ve already built something that works—and now you’re thinking about how to make it stronger. As your business grows, the financial side starts to matter more as you prepare it for the next level.
That’s often when business owners hear a new term and ask: What is a fractional controller and what do they do?
A fractional controller gives your business high-level financial help on a part-time or outsourced basis. Instead of handling daily data entry, a fractional controller focuses on oversight, planning, and clarity.
In simple terms:
- A bookkeeper handles the ‘what’ i.e. what happened financially.
- A fractional controller handles the ‘how’ and the ‘why’. They set up the best way for a small organization to get paid and make payments (the ‘how’) and explain the business drivers affecting an organization’s financials (the ‘why’).
Click here to read our full guide for deciding if your business needs a bookkeeper or controller.
This role fills the gap between basic bookkeeping and a full finance team. It becomes especially valuable when your business is growing, changing, or facing bigger financial decisions.
What a Fractional Controller does
While every business is different, most controllers handle several key responsibilities that help owners stay informed and in control:
- Review financial reports to make sure they are accurate
- Monitor cash flow so there are no surprises
- Create budgets and financial forecasts
- Help business owners understand profits and costs
- Improve accounting systems and processes
- Support smarter business decisions
A fractional controller does not replace your bookkeeper. Instead, they make sure the financial information you receive is reliable and useful.
Is a Fractional Controller right for your small business?
Many small business owners assume controller-level support is only for large companies. In reality, it often becomes useful much earlier.
You may benefit from a fractional controller if:
- Your business is growing quickly
- Cash flow feels confusing or stressful
- You receive reports but don’t fully trust them
- You’re planning to hire, expand, or invest
- You want to make decisions with more confidence
A fractional controller helps bring clarity before small financial issues turn into bigger problems. If you’ve thought: “There has to be a better way to set this up financially,” then it may be time for controller-level support.
Why fractional instead of full-time?
Hiring a full-time controller can be expensive and unnecessary for many small businesses. A fractional controller gives you access to senior-level expertise at a level that fits your size and budget.
This approach allows you to:
- Get expert financial guidance
- Pay only for the support you need
- Scale services as your business grows
- Avoid the cost of a full-time salary
For many growing businesses, fractional support is the smartest next step.
How Bay Business Group can help
If you feel like your business has outgrown basic bookkeeping but isn’t ready for a full-time controller, Bay Business Group can help you bridge that gap. As an outsourced accounting firm, we provide fractional controller services tailored to fit your small business’s current and future needs.
Our team helps business owners:
- Receive clear, easy-to-understand monthly financial reports
- Understand where cash is being used and what’s available
- Build realistic budgets and short-term forecasts
- Identify profit gaps and cost issues early
- Prepare for growth, loans, or major decisions with confidence
Instead of guessing or reacting late, our fractional controller services help you stay informed and plan ahead.
Take the next step with Bay Business Group
Are you ready for more financial clarity and control in running your business? Schedule a 30-minute consultation with Bay Business Group to learn more about how our fractional controller services can help small business owners understand their numbers, plan with confidence, and make better decisions.
Click here to schedule a call or reach out to one of our CPAs directly:
Michael Young, CPA | [email protected]
Matthew Young, CPA | [email protected]