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Fractional Controller Services
for Canadian Businesses

Controller-level financial oversight — monthly reviews, internal controls, audit readiness, and management reporting — without the $130,000/year salary. ATS fractional controllers give growing businesses the financial rigor they need to scale with confidence.

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Quick Answer

What is a fractional controller? A fractional controller is an experienced financial professional who provides controller-level oversight — ensuring the accuracy and integrity of your financial reporting, implementing internal controls, managing the monthly close process, and preparing board and management reports — on a part-time basis. It's the oversight layer between bookkeeping and CFO strategy, typically needed by businesses generating $1M+ in annual revenue.

When Does a Business Need a Fractional Controller?

As businesses grow past $1M in revenue, the complexity of financial management outgrows what a bookkeeper alone can provide — but hiring a full-time controller at $120,000–$180,000/year isn't justified yet. This is the fractional controller sweet spot. You need someone who can ensure your monthly close is accurate and timely, implement controls that prevent fraud and errors, produce board-ready financial packages, manage variance analysis versus budget, and keep your business audit-ready at all times. ATS fractional controllers provide all of this at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire.

What's Included in ATS Fractional Controller Service

Senior-level financial oversight delivered monthly — without the overhead of a full-time hire.

Monthly Financial Review PackageDetailed review of your monthly P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow — with written commentary explaining key variances and trends.
Internal Controls ImplementationSegregation of duties, approval workflows, expense controls, and fraud prevention measures appropriate for your business size.
Budget Variance AnalysisMonthly comparison of actual results versus budget, with clear explanations of significant variances and recommendations for corrective action.
Audit Readiness & PreparationYear-round maintenance of audit-ready financial records and full support during external audit engagements — eliminating last-minute scrambles.
Board & Investor ReportingProfessional financial packages prepared for board meetings, investor updates, and lender covenants — presented in the format your stakeholders expect.
Month-End Close ManagementOversight of the complete close process — journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations — ensuring books are closed accurately and on schedule.
Cash Flow Management13-week rolling cash flow monitoring and forecasting so you always know your cash position and can plan ahead with confidence.
Policy & Procedure DocumentationDocumented financial policies — expense reimbursement, procurement, authorization limits — that create consistency and compliance.

How Our Fractional Controller Engagement Works

Step 01

Discovery & Assessment

We review your current financial infrastructure, identify gaps in controls, and assess your reporting needs. We design a customized engagement scope tailored to where your business is today.

Step 02

Controls & Process Setup

We implement internal controls, document financial procedures, and set up your month-end close checklist — building the foundation for accurate, reliable financial reporting.

Step 03

Monthly Oversight & Reporting

Each month, your ATS controller oversees the close process, reviews financial statements, prepares the variance analysis package, and delivers a written financial summary to management.

Step 04

Board Prep & Strategic Support

We prepare board-ready financial packages quarterly (or as needed), support external audits, and advise on financial matters as your business continues to grow and evolve.

Who Needs a Fractional Controller?

Businesses with $1M–$20M revenue
Companies with investor or board reporting
Businesses preparing for external audit
Non-profits requiring financial accountability
Companies applying for bank financing
Multiple-entity businesses needing consolidation

Controller-Level Oversight from $1,499/Month

Compare that to $120,000–$150,000/year for a full-time controller. ATS fractional controller engagements are scoped to your needs and scale as you grow.

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Starting from
$1,499
per month
Controller FAQs

Questions About Fractional Controller Services

What is a fractional controller?
A fractional controller is a senior financial professional who provides controller-level oversight — monthly financial reviews, internal controls, audit readiness, and management reporting — on a part-time basis. They fill the critical gap between bookkeeping and full CFO services, typically starting when businesses hit $1M+ in revenue.
What's the difference between a controller and a CFO?
A controller focuses on the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting — ensuring the close process is correct, controls are in place, and reports are reliable. A CFO focuses on financial strategy — cash flow planning, growth financing, investor relations, and M&A. Controllers look backward at what happened; CFOs look forward at what should happen. Many businesses need both.
When does a business need a fractional controller vs. just a bookkeeper?
A bookkeeper records transactions. A controller ensures those records are accurate, implements the controls that prevent errors and fraud, and produces management-level financial analysis. You likely need a controller when you have multiple revenue streams, need board reporting, are preparing for an audit, or when your CFO or CEO needs reliable financial data to make strategic decisions.
How much does a fractional controller cost in Canada?
ATS fractional controller engagements start at $1,499/month. This compares to $10,000–$15,000/month for a full-time controller's salary and benefits. The scope and cost scales with the complexity of your business and the hours required.
What internal controls does a fractional controller put in place?
Key controls include segregation of duties (different people handling different financial tasks), approval workflows for payments above certain thresholds, regular bank reconciliation reviews, documented expense policies, month-end close checklists, and surprise spot-checks of account balances. These controls protect against both fraud and accidental errors.
Can a fractional controller help with our external audit?
Absolutely. ATS controllers maintain audit-ready books year-round, manage the audit preparation process, liaise directly with your external auditors, provide all required documentation, and help resolve any audit findings efficiently. Clients with ATS controllers typically spend 30–50% less time on external audits.

Get the financial oversight your business deserves.

Stop relying on books alone to run a growing business. ATS fractional controllers deliver the rigor, controls, and reporting that give you genuine financial confidence.

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