What costs should be included when estimating a full-time Controller?

A realistic estimate should include base salary, benefits, payroll taxes, recruiting cost, software, training, management time, and overhead.

Does TruePoint publish exact controller service package prices?

No. TruePoint uses planning ranges and cost drivers online because final scope depends on business complexity, reporting needs, systems, internal team capacity, and meeting cadence.

When is fractional controller support usually a better fit than a full-time hire?

Fractional support is often a better fit when the business needs controller-level reporting, cash visibility, and finance cadence but does not yet need or want a full-time finance leader.

Controller Cost Calculator

Estimate the real cost of hiring a Controller.

Use this planning calculator to compare salary, benefits, hiring burden, payroll taxes, and overhead with fractional controller support ranges. The goal is not a quote. It is a clearer starting point before a focused finance conversation.

Use the Calculator See Cost Drivers

Planning Range

Compare a full-time Controller with TruePoint Advisory.

Adjust the assumptions below. Advisory ranges are illustrative and depend on complexity, scope, systems, internal team capacity, and reporting cadence. If you are comparing software automation with advisory support, read AI Bookkeeping vs. Fractional Controller Services.

Controller salary$120,000Benefits load25%Recruiting / hiring cost15%Software, training, and overhead$12,000

Estimated full-time Controller cost$189,180

Base salary$120,000
Benefits$30,000
Payroll taxes$9,180
Recruiting$18,000
Overhead$12,000

TruePoint pathsSoftware to advisory

IntelligenceAutomated monthly insight
Intelligence ProForecasting and advanced analysis
Financial LeadershipHuman controller and FP&A support
Executive AdvisoryCFO-level decisions
Scalable supportIncluded

Estimated annual difference vs. advisory planning range$93,180-$153,180

Calculator figures are illustrative. TruePoint Intelligence pricing is transparent online; advisory pricing is confirmed after discovery based on complexity, scope, systems, and reporting cadence.

Discuss Your Finance Function

Cost Drivers

What changes the right controller scope?

The most useful estimate starts with the work the finance function actually needs to handle each month.

Close complexity

Transaction volume, reconciliations, accruals, deferred revenue, inventory, WIP, debt, or multiple entities can change review depth.

Reporting needs

Leadership dashboards, margin views, budget variance, cash forecasts, and board-ready commentary increase the required finance cadence.

Internal capacity

A strong bookkeeper or accounting manager may reduce scope, while unresolved cleanup or unclear ownership can expand it.

Decision cadence

Monthly, twice-monthly, or leadership-team review rhythms affect the level of controller involvement and preparation.

How to Use the Result

The calculator is a planning tool, not a quote.

Use the full-time estimate to understand the hiring alternative, then decide whether automated Intelligence, Intelligence Pro, Financial Leadership, or Executive Advisory is the better starting point.

Take the Assessment Read the Cost Guide

IntelligenceLeadershipAdvisoryAutomated insightCFO-level support

Next Step

Turn the estimate into a cleaner finance plan.

Estimate the full-time alternative

Adjust salary, benefits, recruiting, and overhead to reflect your market and hiring assumptions.

Identify scope drivers

Note which finance needs are creating the most friction: close, reporting, cash, KPIs, or decision cadence.

Discuss the right layer

Use discovery to decide whether fractional controller support is enough or a full-time hire is justified.

Want help interpreting the estimate?

Schedule a focused conversation about your current finance function, reporting needs, cash visibility, and whether fractional controller support is the right next layer.

Schedule a Call