Many growing businesses reach a point where their finance function is no longer quite good enough.The bookkeeper keeps the transactions moving. The external accountant handles the year-end accounts and tax. But management accounts may be late, financial controls may need strengthening and the CEO may not have the information needed to make confident commercial decisions.This is often where an outsourced Financial Controller can make a significant difference.In this episode, we look at what an outsourced Financial Controller does, when a business needs one and why using a qualified FC on a fractional basis can be an attractive alternative to employing a full-time Financial Controller.What Is an Outsourced Financial Controller?There are two different models commonly described as outsourced Financial Controller services.One is where an accountancy firm effectively takes over part of the finance function, providing services such as bookkeeping, accounts production and tax.The other is the fractional model.This involves an experienced ACA, ACCA or CIMA-qualified Financial Controller working directly with the business, typically for one to three days a week.Accountancy Capital specialises in this second model.The business gets a genuine Financial Controller rather than simply another bookkeeping service, but only pays for the amount of senior finance expertise it actually needs.What Does an Outsourced FC Do?A fractional Financial Controller can take responsibility for many of the same functions as a permanent FC.That can include:Managing the month-end closeOverseeing management accountsPresenting financial information to the CEO or boardManaging the year-end auditStrengthening financial controlsReviewing reconciliationsOverseeing the existing finance teamMonitoring cash flow and working capitalSupporting budgets and forecastsDealing with bank or investor information requestsProviding commercial financial adviceThe key difference is that the work is delivered over one, two or three days each week rather than five.Who Needs an Outsourced Financial Controller?The businesses that often benefit most are those with revenue of around £2 million to £12 million.They may already have a bookkeeper or accounts assistant handling transactional finance, but they lack qualified FC-level oversight.There are several common triggers.The business has grown beyond the capabilities of the existing bookkeeper.Management accounts are consistently late or unreliable.The external accountant has suggested that the company needs stronger internal financial management.A bank or investor is requesting more sophisticated financial information.The company is preparing for a fundraising, acquisition or sale.Or the CEO simply needs someone who can take ownership of the finance function.In these situations, employing a full-time FC may not yet be justified.That is where the fractional model becomes particularly useful.Outsourced FC Versus a Permanent FCA full-time Financial Controller is a major commitment.According to Accountancy Capital's current 2026 figures, a London permanent FC can have a total employment cost of approximately £105,000–£147,000 in the first year, including salary, employer costs, benefits and recruitment.A two-day-per-week fractional FC is estimated at approximately £47,000–£83,000 in the first year, including recruitment.From the second year onwards, the estimated fractional cost is approximately £39,000–£68,000 compared with £93,000–£125,000 for a permanent FC.The important point is that the fractional model is not simply about paying less.It is about matching the amount of FC-level work to the actual