Controller-Led Pricing

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Our Approach

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We operate through a structured team model — not a single individual.

Each client is supported by a controller, dedicated accounting support, and senior-level oversight. This ensures continuous coverage, faster execution, and consistent accuracy without dependency on one person.

Unlike traditional firms or in-house hires, our model integrates bookkeeping execution and financial control within one structure — delivering a level of reliability and depth that a single hire cannot provide.​

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​Financial Function Levels: Defined by Complexity

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The level of controller support is determined by the structure and complexity of the business. A single-entity operation with clean financials requires a very different scope than a multi-entity business with advanced reporting and external requirements.

Below is a clear breakdown of how controller services are structured in 2026 across four tiers:

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Essential Level — Starting at $2,500/month

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Designed for businesses with $1M–$3M in revenue, a single entity, one set of books, and relatively straightforward operations with under 500 monthly transactions. At this stage, the primary need is reliable financial oversight — ensuring books are properly closed and financial reports are accurate, timely, and usable for decision-making.

This level establishes structure, accuracy, and consistency across your financials without adding unnecessary complexity.

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Scope of Services​

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• Month-end close delivered by the 10th business day

• Review of bank and credit card reconciliations

• Preparation of financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow)

• Variance analysis (actual vs. prior period)

• Compliance calendar management (sales tax, payroll, 1099s)

• Review and correction of bookkeeping work

• Coordination with CPA for year-end reporting

• Monthly check-in call (30–45 minutes)​

• Execution of core bookkeeping processes, combined with controller-level oversight and review

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Growth Level — Starting at $4000/month

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Designed for growing businesses with $3M–$7M in revenue, 500–2,000 monthly transactions, and increasing operational complexity — such as adding a new location, launching a new service line, or experiencing greater pressure on cash flow.

At this stage, financial management must evolve beyond basic reporting into structured analysis, forward-looking visibility, and stronger operational control.

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Scope of Services​

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• Includes all Essential-level services, with expanded capabilities to support growth and increased complexity:

• Month-end close delivered by the 7th business day

• Budget-to-actual variance analysis with structured commentary

• 13-week rolling cash flow forecast, updated monthly

• KPI dashboard (5–8 key business metrics)

• Accounts receivable aging review with follow-up framework

• Internal controls assessment and process improvement recommendations

• Ad-hoc financial analysis (pricing, hiring decisions, lease vs. buy)

• Bi-monthly check-in calls

• Execution of core bookkeeping processes, combined with controller-level oversight and review

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Professional Level — Starting at $6000/month

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Designed for businesses with $5M–$12M in revenue, multi-entity structures, and increased financial complexity — including industry-specific accounting requirements (construction WIP, franchise royalties, trust accounting) and lender or investor reporting obligations.

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Scope of Services​

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• Includes all Growth-level services, with expanded capabilities to support multi-entity operations and advanced financial requirements:

• Month-end close delivered by the 5th business day

• Multi-entity consolidation with intercompany reconciliation and eliminations

• Industry-specific reporting (WIP schedules, job costing, franchise-level P&Ls)

• Board or investor reporting package

• 13-week cash flow forecast updated weekly

• Bank covenant compliance tracking and reporting

• Annual budget development with quarterly reforecasting

• Weekly check-in calls

• Supervision and training of bookkeeping or accounting staff

• Execution of core bookkeeping processes, combined with controller-level oversight and review

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Enterprise Level — Starting at $8,000/month

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Designed for businesses with $10M–$20M+ in revenue, complex multi-entity structures, and advanced operational and regulatory requirements. This includes multi-state operations with tax obligations, SBA or commercial lending with strict financial covenants, construction or manufacturing environments with detailed job costing, and PE-backed companies requiring sponsor-level reporting.

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Scope of Services​

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• Includes all Professional-level services, with expanded capabilities to support enterprise-level complexity:

• Month-end close delivered by the 3rd–5th business day

• Multi-state tax compliance coordination

• Weekly flash reporting (revenue, cash, AR/AP)

• Detailed job costing and WIP schedule management

• PE sponsor or lender reporting packages (monthly and quarterly)

• ERP system optimization and reporting buildout

• Financial process documentation and SOPs

• Audit preparation and external auditor coordination

• Cash flow monitoring and reporting

• Execution of core bookkeeping processes, combined with controller-level oversight and review

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Construction Industry Considerations

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Construction businesses operate at a fundamentally higher level of accounting complexity. Job costing, WIP schedules, AIA billing, retainage, change orders, bonding requirements, and percentage-of-completion accounting all require advanced financial control and precision.

When lenders or bonding companies require CPA-reviewed or audit-ready financials, the controller must maintain detailed schedules and reporting that meet strict external standards.

As a result, engagements in this sector typically fall within the $6,000–$12,000/month range — reflecting the level of oversight and accuracy required in one of the most financially sensitive industries.

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What Drives Pricing

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Businesses at the same revenue level do not require the same level of controller support.

Pricing is driven by the structure and complexity of the business — not just revenue. Multiple entities, construction or job-cost accounting, multi-state operations, lender or investor reporting, high transaction volume, and internal staff supervision all increase the scope of work and level of financial control required.

In practice, these factors typically add between $500 and $3,000 per category, depending on scale and complexity. As the business grows, the financial function requires deeper oversight, more frequent reporting, and tighter operational control — which is reflected in the appropriate service level.

In more advanced situations, CFO-level involvement — including financial strategy, capital planning, and support with lenders or investors — is layered on top of controller services and is typically billed at $250/hour.

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​Factors That Reduce Scope and Cost

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Certain conditions reduce the level of controller involvement required, resulting in a more efficient engagement and lower monthly cost:

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• Clean, well-maintained books — accurate bookkeeping and a structured chart of accounts reduce cleanup time and shift focus to analysis (typically lowering cost by $500–$1,000/month)

• Simple entity structure — single entity, single state, one set of books represents the lowest level of complexity

• Modern accounting systems — QuickBooks Online, Xero, or integrated ERP platforms minimize manual work and improve efficiency

• Standard reporting requirements — monthly reporting is baseline; increased frequency (weekly or daily) expands scope and cost

• Organized internal processes — timely communication, proper documentation, and consistent recordkeeping streamline the close process

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The True Cost of a Full-Time Controller

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The cost of hiring a full-time controller extends far beyond base salary. When you factor in benefits, taxes, hiring costs, and operational overhead, the total annual cost is significantly higher than most businesses expect.

Typical fully loaded annual cost (US market, 2026):

• Base salary: $95,000–$130,000

• Benefits (~30%: health, dental, vision, 401k, PTO): $28,500–$39,000

• Payroll taxes (FICA, FUTA, state unemployment): $7,300–$9,950

• Recruiting cost (amortized): $6,300–$8,700

• Software, equipment, workspace: $3,500–$5,000

• Training and continuing education (CPE): $2,000–$3,000

Total annual cost: $142,600–$195,650

And this assumes a successful hire. A poor hire can cost 1.5–2x annual salary in lost compensation, recruiting expenses, and remediation — often exceeding $200,000 before restarting the process.

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Our Pricing Approach

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• We operate on a fixed monthly retainer, billed in advance — not hourly. You don’t track time, and we don’t charge for every call or email.

• Engagements are flexible. You can adjust or exit with 30 days’ notice. We earn the relationship through consistent value.

• Pricing is fully transparent. The monthly fee covers close management, reporting, compliance, CPA coordination, ongoing communication, and ad-hoc analysis. If your structure changes — such as adding entities or increasing complexity — we review and adjust scope together. If the scope of work changes, the engagement is adjusted to the appropriate service level and pricing.

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Capacity & Scope Management

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Each engagement is structured around a defined monthly capacity and scope.

If the workload exceeds the allocated capacity, the engagement is moved to the appropriate service level. This ensures the business is properly supported and the financial function is not under-resourced.

We do not operate in an overextended model. The level of support must match the complexity and workload of the business.

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Our Delivery Model

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Each client is supported by a dedicated team — not a single individual. Your engagement is backed by a controller, accounting support, and senior-level oversight, ensuring continuous coverage, faster execution, and consistent accuracy.

Unlike traditional firms or independent hires, our model integrates both execution and financial control within one structure. Core bookkeeping is handled as part of the engagement, while controller-level oversight ensures accuracy, accountability, and reliable reporting at all times.

There is no dependency on one person and no interruption in your financial operations. Work continues without gaps, delays, or loss of context.

This structure provides a level of continuity, depth, and operational reliability that is not achievable with a single hire or a fragmented service model.

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Can a Controller Work With Your Existing Bookkeeper?

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Yes — and this is the most common setup. Your bookkeeper handles day-to-day transactions, while we take ownership of the financial function: reviewing their work, managing the close, preparing reports, and ensuring everything is accurate and on time.

This gives you control and reliable financials without hiring a full in-house team.

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Controller vs. CFO

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A controller focuses on accuracy, reporting, and compliance — making sure your numbers are correct and usable. A CFO focuses on strategy, planning, and major financial decisions.

Most businesses need a controller first. Strategy only works when the numbers are reliable.

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What If Your Business Isn’t Ready for a Controller?

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If your business is under $1M in revenue, operates as a single entity, has a small team, and minimal compliance requirements, a strong bookkeeper may be sufficient at this stage.

Most businesses reach the point where a controller becomes necessary between $1M–$3M in revenue — when financial operations become more complex: payroll, sales tax, multiple revenue streams, and increasing pressure during year-end reporting.

If your financials are delayed, unclear, or require constant cleanup, it’s typically a sign that bookkeeping alone is no longer enough.