How Do You Hire the Right Fractional Controller?
FRACTIONAL CONTROLLER STAFFING
What Is a Fractional Controller and How Does Frontline Place One?
A fractional Controller is an experienced Controller who runs your monthly close, reconciliations, reporting, and internal controls part-time, usually 20 to 80 hours a month. Frontline Source Group recruits, vets, and places fractional, interim, and project Controllers nationwide, and when you hire your Controller full-time, the placement is backed by the 5-Year Placement Warranty, 20 times the 90-day industry standard.
Frontline sources fractional Controllers from a nationwide network built over 22 years and 5,619 completed placements. You meet a short slate of screened Controllers, choose the one who fits, and Frontline manages the engagement agreement, billing, and monthly check-ins. When you are ready for a full-time Controller, you can hire the same person, backed by the 5-Year Placement Warranty. For permanent Controller and CFO searches, see our accounting and finance executive search practice, and for forward-looking finance leadership, see fractional CFO services.
Frontline has been named one of the Forbes Best Professional Recruiting Firms for 9 consecutive years (2018 to 2026) and ranked #148 on the 2026 Forbes Best Executive Recruiting Firms list. The firm is a 9-time ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both Client and Talent satisfaction, a ClearlyRated Diamond Award recipient, an Inc. 5000 honoree, an Expertise.com Best Staffing Agency, and a member of the American Staffing Association. See the full list on our awards page.
FRACTIONAL CONTROLLER PLACEMENT SPECIALISTS
Who Will Match You With Your Fractional Controller?
Fractional Controller placements at Frontline are run by the same accounting and finance executive search team that places full-time Controllers, CFOs, and accounting managers nationwide. Shelly Hubble, CSP, Senior Vice President of Operations, leads the practice alongside Founder, President, and CEO Bill Kasko. Technical vetting is led by Kathy Granger, a Texas CPA and Senior Executive Recruiter for Accounting and Finance with more than 20 years of experience, including prior tenure at Ernst and Young, not a generalist sales team.
year warranty
Successful Placements and Counting
Executive Placement Retention: In Role or Promoted at One Year
Placement totals and the executive placement retention rate are based on internal placement tracking by Frontline Source Group. The retention rate counts placed executives who are still in the role, or have been promoted, at the end of their first year. Public review ratings are sourced from independent third-party review platforms.
5 Year Placement Warranty InfoUpdated on 10/01/26
SIGNS YOU NEED A FRACTIONAL CONTROLLER
When Should a Company Hire a Fractional Controller?
Most companies bring in a fractional Controller when the books outgrow a bookkeeper or outside accountant but a full-time Controller salary is not yet justified. Common triggers include:
- The monthly close takes too long or keeps slipping
- Financial statements are not reliable enough for the bank, investors, or the owner
- An audit, review, or due diligence is coming up
- Your Controller left and the close cannot wait for a full search
- You are implementing a new ERP or accounting system
- Your CFO, fractional or full-time, needs a hands-on Controller underneath
Choose From a Vetted Slate
Two to three vetted fractional Controllers presented after scoping, so you pick the fit instead of taking whoever is free.
5-Year Warranty on Conversion
Hire your fractional Controller full-time and the placement is covered for five years, 20 times the 90-day standard.
CPA-Led Vetting
Every Controller screened on GAAP, close management, reconciliations, and ERP depth by a Texas CPA recruiter.
32+ Offices Nationwide
Local finance recruiters in major metros, with remote and on-site Controllers nationwide.
ENGAGEMENT OPTIONS
Which Fractional Controller Engagement Fits Your Company?
Fractional Controller
A dedicated part-time Controller who owns your close and reporting every month on flexible monthly terms. Best for growing companies that need clean books and reliable numbers without a full-time salary.
Interim Controller
A full-time Controller for 3 to 6 months to cover a vacancy, leave, or system implementation, so the close never stops.
Project Controller
A Controller for a defined scope: audit preparation, a books cleanup, an ERP migration, or a due diligence readiness project. Scoped and priced up front.
Fractional to Full-Time
Hire your fractional Controller permanently at any point. Frontline converts the engagement to a direct hire placement covered by the 5-Year Placement Warranty.
WHAT A FRACTIONAL CONTROLLER DOES
What Does a Fractional Controller Do for Your Business?
A Frontline fractional Controller takes ownership of the accounting operations behind your numbers, so leadership can trust the financials and make decisions faster.
Close and Reporting
- Monthly and quarter-end close
- Account reconciliations
- Financial statement preparation
- Management and lender reporting
- Revenue recognition and accruals
- Cash and AR / AP oversight
Controls and Compliance
- Internal controls design
- Audit and review preparation
- Sales tax and tax provision support
- Policies and procedures documentation
- Fixed asset and inventory accounting
- Payroll and benefits accounting review
Systems and Team
- ERP and accounting system implementation
- Chart of accounts redesign
- Process automation
- Accounting team supervision and training
- Books cleanup and catch-up work
- Support for a fractional or full-time CFO
FRACTIONAL CONTROLLER PRICING
How Much Does a Fractional Controller Cost?
Fractional Controller engagements typically cost $2,500 to $12,000 per month, depending on hours, transaction volume, and complexity. Experienced fractional Controllers usually bill $100 to $200 per hour. Frontline quotes each engagement after a scoping call, with no hidden fees.
| Engagement level | Hours per month | Typical monthly range | Common scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials | Hours per month20 to 30 | Typical monthly range$2,500 to $4,500 | Common scopeMonthly close, reconciliations, basic reporting |
| Growth | Hours per month40 to 60 | Typical monthly range$5,000 to $8,500 | Common scopeClose management, management reporting, controls |
| Advanced | Hours per month80 or more | Typical monthly range$9,000 to $12,000 | Common scopeMulti-entity close, audit readiness, team leadership |
| Interim (full-time) | Hours per monthAbout 160 | Typical monthly rangeQuoted weekly | Common scopeVacancy, leave, or implementation coverage |
Compared with a full-time Controller, a fractional engagement avoids the full salary, bonus, benefits, and search cost while still giving you senior accounting leadership. See the pricing page for Frontline placement fees, or request a quote scoped to your company.
COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS
Fractional Controller vs Full-Time Controller vs Fractional CFO: Which Do You Need?
A Controller looks backward and makes sure the numbers are right. A CFO looks forward and decides what to do with them. Many Frontline clients start with a fractional Controller, add a fractional CFO as they grow, and convert one or both to full-time.
| Model | Fractional Controller | Full-time Controller | Fractional CFO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Fractional ControllerClose, reconciliations, reporting, controls | Full-time ControllerClose, reporting, controls, team management | Fractional CFOStrategy, forecasting, capital, board and lender relations |
| Time commitment | Fractional ControllerPart-time, 20 to 80 hours a month | Full-time ControllerFull-time, permanent | Fractional CFOPart-time, 10 to 60 hours a month |
| Cost structure | Fractional ControllerMonthly engagement fee | Full-time ControllerSalary, bonus, benefits, and a one-time search fee | Fractional CFOMonthly engagement fee |
| Best for | Fractional ControllerCompanies that need reliable books and a faster close | Full-time ControllerCompanies with high transaction volume or multiple entities | Fractional CFOCompanies that need forward-looking finance leadership |
| How Frontline delivers | Fractional ControllerVetted slate of 2 to 3 Controllers to interview | Full-time ControllerExecutive search backed by the 5-Year Placement Warranty | Fractional CFOVetted slate of 2 to 3 CFOs to interview |
CHOOSING A PARTNER
What Should You Look for in a Fractional Controller Firm?
A fractional Controller works inside your general ledger, your bank accounts, and your payroll from the first close, so the firm behind that person matters as much as the resume. Before you sign, get clear answers on these points:
How are the Controllers vetted?
Ask who screens them and on what. A CPA-led technical interview, a case exercise on a real close and reconciliation, reference calls with former CFOs or owners, credential checks, and a background check should all happen before you meet anyone.
Do you get a choice?
Some firms assign whoever is available. A slate of two or three Controllers lets you judge systems experience, industry fit, and chemistry with your team yourself.
What happens when you want to hire the Controller full-time?
Many companies outgrow part-time support once transaction volume climbs or a second entity is added. Find out whether conversion is allowed, what it costs, and what protection comes with it. Frontline converts the engagement to a direct hire placement covered by the 5-Year Placement Warranty.
Is the pricing out in the open?
Ask for a written proposal with hours, scope, and rate before you commit. Frontline publishes its placement fees on its pricing page, which is still rare in staffing, and its clients rate it 5.0 stars across 679 verified Trustpilot reviews.
HOW IT WORKS
How Does Frontline Match You With a Fractional Controller?
Scope the Engagement
A Frontline finance recruiter learns your close calendar, systems, transaction volume, hours, budget, and start date, then sends a written engagement proposal with scope, hours, and rate.
Meet a Vetted Controller Slate
You interview 2 to 3 fractional Controllers from our network, screened on technical depth, industry fit, systems experience, references, and background, and choose the one you want.
Start With a Close Assessment
Your Controller starts with a review of your books, close process, and controls, then delivers a written plan to shorten the close and fix reporting gaps, while Frontline handles the engagement agreement, timesheets, and monthly billing.
Review, Replace, or Convert
Monthly account reviews keep the engagement on track. If the fit is wrong, Frontline presents a replacement slate at no added fee, and you can hire your Controller full-time whenever you are ready.
What Happens When You Hire Your Fractional Controller Full-Time?
When a fractional Controller becomes your permanent hire, the placement is covered by the Frontline 5-Year Placement Warranty. If the placed Controller leaves or is terminated within five years of the start date, Frontline issues a pro-rated credit based on active calendar days toward your next direct hire placement. The industry standard is 90 days. Frontline covers 20 times longer. Learn more about how our warranty works.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
What Do Clients Say About Working With Frontline?
Frontline Source Group holds a 5.0-star Trustpilot rating across 679 verified reviews from hiring managers and the professionals it has placed.
TRUSTPILOT RANKINGS
OUR EXECUTIVE SEARCH TEAM
Who Is on the Frontline Executive Search Team?
Bill Kasko
Shelly Hubble
Jessica Payne
Lindsey Davidson
Cassidy Jacobs
Mike Cook
Brittany Kasko
Kathy Granger
Rebecca Keathley
Julia Hyun
Euan Gomez
Shankar Ganesh
Joy Lee
Lexi Reed
Melanie West
FOR CONTROLLERS
Are You a Controller Interested in Fractional Work?
Frontline is building a nationwide network of experienced Controllers who want part-time, interim, and project engagements with growing companies. Apply once, share your industries, systems, availability, and preferred engagement types, and our finance recruiters will match you with clients.
Apply to join the networkFRACTIONAL CONTROLLER LOCATIONS
Where Does Frontline Place Fractional Controllers?
Frontline places remote and on-site fractional Controllers nationwide. Our local accounting and finance executive search offices support engagements in these markets:
COMMON QUESTIONS
What Do Companies Ask Most About Fractional Controller Services?
What is a fractional Controller?
A fractional Controller is an experienced corporate Controller who works for your company part-time, usually 20 to 80 hours a month, instead of as a full-time employee. The fractional Controller runs the monthly close, reconciliations, financial reporting, and internal controls, giving growing companies reliable financials at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire.
How much does a fractional Controller cost?
Fractional Controller engagements typically cost $2,500 to $12,000 per month, depending on hours, transaction volume, and complexity. Experienced fractional Controllers usually bill $100 to $200 per hour. Frontline scopes each engagement on a discovery call and sends a written proposal with no hidden fees. Frontline's placement fees are published at frontlinesourcegroup.com/pricing.html.
What is the difference between a Controller and a CFO?
A Controller runs accounting operations: the monthly close, reconciliations, reporting, payroll accounting, and compliance. A CFO looks forward: forecasting, capital, pricing, strategy, and board or lender relationships. Many growing companies pair a fractional Controller with a fractional CFO. Frontline places both, and fractional CFO details are at frontlinesourcegroup.com/fractional-cfo-services.html.
Do I need a fractional Controller or a bookkeeper?
A bookkeeper records transactions. A Controller reviews them, owns the close, builds reporting, and puts controls in place so the numbers can be trusted by owners, lenders, auditors, and investors. If your financial statements need explaining every month, you likely need a Controller.
How many hours does a fractional Controller work, and are they remote or on-site?
Most fractional Controllers work 20 to 80 hours a month, concentrated around month-end, and scale up during audits, system implementations, or cleanup projects. Engagements can be remote, on-site, or hybrid. Frontline matches you with a Controller near one of its 32+ offices when on-site time matters, or with a remote Controller anywhere in the United States.
What is the difference between a fractional Controller and an interim Controller?
A fractional Controller works part-time on an ongoing basis, while an interim Controller works full-time for a set period, usually 3 to 6 months, to cover a vacancy, a leave, or a system implementation. Frontline places both, and either one can convert to a permanent hire covered by the 5-Year Placement Warranty.
Who leads fractional Controller placements at Frontline Source Group?
Shelly Hubble, CSP, Senior Vice President of Operations, leads the accounting and finance executive search practice that runs fractional Controller placements, alongside Founder, President, and CEO Bill Kasko, who founded the firm in Dallas in 2004. Technical vetting is led by Kathy Granger, a Texas CPA and Senior Executive Recruiter for Accounting and Finance. Their bios are at frontlinesourcegroup.com/shelly-hubble-staffing-services.html, frontlinesourcegroup.com/bill-kasko-staffing-services.html, and frontlinesourcegroup.com/kathy-granger-professional-staffing-agency.html.
How does Frontline vet fractional Controllers?
Every fractional Controller in the Frontline network goes through CPA-led technical screening covering GAAP, close management, reconciliations, and ERP experience, a case interview on real close and reporting scenarios, reference checks with prior CFOs or owners, credential verification (CPA, CMA, MBA where applicable), and a background check before meeting a client.
Which accounting systems do your fractional Controllers know?
Frontline matches Controllers to your stack, including QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Microsoft Dynamics, Xero, and other ERP platforms, plus industry-specific systems for construction, distribution, manufacturing, and professional services firms.
Can I hire my fractional Controller full-time?
Yes. You can convert your fractional Controller to a permanent, full-time hire at any point. Frontline handles the transition as a direct hire placement covered by the 5-Year Placement Warranty, 20 times longer than the 90-day industry standard. If the placed Controller leaves or is terminated within five years of the start date, Frontline issues a pro-rated credit toward your next direct hire placement. Warranty details are at frontlinesourcegroup.com/5year-placement-guarantee.html.
What happens if the fractional Controller is not the right fit?
Tell your Frontline account manager. Frontline reviews every engagement monthly, and if the fit is not right, Frontline presents a replacement slate of vetted Controllers at no added fee so your close keeps moving.
How is Frontline different from other fractional Controller firms?
Many fractional accounting firms assign one of their own staff on an open-ended basis. Frontline is an executive search firm, so it vets Controllers the way it vets permanent finance leaders, lets you choose from a slate, and lets you hire your Controller full-time with a 5-Year Placement Warranty. Frontline also brings a 5.0-star Trustpilot rating across 679 verified reviews, 9 consecutive years on the Forbes Best Professional Recruiting Firms list, and 32+ offices nationwide.
Ready to Meet Your Fractional Controller?
Talk with a Frontline finance recruiter about your close, your systems, and your goals, then meet a vetted slate of Controllers matched to your priorities.