What's the difference between a fractional CFO and a controller?

A controller owns accuracy and the monthly close, making sure the numbers are right and on time. A fractional CFO owns what those numbers mean: forecasting, cash-flow strategy, margins, pricing, and financing. Controllers look backward at the books; CFOs look forward at the plan.

Can one person be both controller and CFO?

At small scale, often yes. A fractional CFO commonly absorbs controller-level close work as part of getting your books to a place worth building on. The roles split into separate hires as transaction volume and complexity grow.

Which do I hire first, a controller or a CFO?

For most $1M-$10M owners the order is bookkeeper, then CFO. A dedicated controller is what you add when the close itself has become a full-time job with multiple entities and a bookkeeping team to supervise.

What does a fractional controller cost?

Roughly $3,000 to $7,000 a month, depending on how complex your close is and how many bookkeepers they manage. A fractional CFO often runs $2,000 to $8,000 a month, and can be cheaper because the scope is strategy rather than owning your whole accounting operation.

How do I know if I need accuracy help or strategy help?

If your books are late or you re-check them before every decision, that's an accuracy problem, which is controller or bookkeeper work. If your books are clean but you're still guessing on cash, margins, or a raise, that's a strategy gap, which is the CFO layer.

Does a fractional CFO or controller replace my CPA?

No. Walden doesn't do tax, attest, or compliance work and refers all of it back to your CPA. A fractional CFO or controller handles the day-to-day finance operation and strategy; you keep your accountant for filings and tax.

Advisory

Fractional CFO vs. Controller: Who Owns Strategy vs. Accuracy

A controller makes sure the numbers are right. A fractional CFO makes sure you're doing something smart with them. Here's how to tell which one your business needs first.

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