The following chart shows the various types of business and their typical need for a controller:
Business Type
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Is a Controller Needed?
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What works Best?
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Sole Proprietor owner/operator
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No, a bookkeeper and a tax CPA is all that is needed
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Sole Proprietor with 5 or fewer employees, under $5 million in sales
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No, a bookkeeper and a tax CPA is all that is needed
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Private business with between 5- 50 employees, up to $10 million in sales
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Yes, this is ideal for a part-time, outsourced controller, in addition to bookkeepers and tax CPA's. Other finance resources can include an audit CPA and a valuation specialist if stock options are issued.
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Outsourced Controller is ideal here
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Private business with more than 50 employees, more than $10 million in sales
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Yes, this business needs a full time controller and typically also a full time CFO, in addition to a larger finance department staff.
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Interim Controller can be used here when needed
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Public company of any size
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No. Always needs a full time controller and CFO, as well as an SEC reporting manager and other internal audit resources. Being a public company dramatically changes the finance operations.
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Interim Controller can be used here when needed
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