Fractional Controller & CFO

• Your Business, Our Expertise
  Managing intricate financial operations shouldn't hold back your growth. With Forge, you gain a dedicated financial expert without the full-time expense. We provide accurate, timely financial management, strategic insights, and process improvements, enabling you to focus on scaling your business.​

​

• A Fractional Controller or CFO is a part-time or contract-based financial professional who manages your accounting functions with precision, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and operational efficiency. With Forge, you pay only for the time you need, whether it’s a few hours a week or a few days a month.

They assist strongly in: 

• Maximize Your Team's Potential: Office Managers, Bookkeepers, Data Entry Clerks, and Finance Coordinators are invaluable, but they can become overwhelmed with complex accounting tasks, especially during periods of growth.

• Fill the Gaps: We step in to lighten the load by conducting internal audits, training your team, or offering part-time to full-time support based on your needs.

• Expert Guidance Without the Overhead:
  Get access to the high-level insights and financial planning you’d expect from a full-time executive—without the associated salary and benefits. We help you navigate challenges and plan strategically, all while keeping costs in check.

• Seamless Transition & System Integration:
  Switching systems or implementing new financial software? Our fractional services provide the expertise to ensure smooth transitions and integrations, minimizing disruptions and maximizing the value of your new tools.

• Focus on What Matters Most:
  Let us handle the complexities of financial reporting, budgeting, and compliance. With Forge managing the details, you can concentrate on your core business activities, confident that your financial operations are in expert hands.

• Scalable Solutions for Growing Businesses:
  As your business evolves, so do your financial needs. Our fractional services are designed to grow with you, offering the flexibility to adjust support levels as your business scales, ensuring that you always have the right level of expertise.

​

At Forge Accounting & Management Services, we believe in an integrated approach that sets us apart:

• Comprehensive Support: Our expertise spans Corporate Accounting, Automation, Full Cycle Bookkeeping, Payroll, and HR. We understand how these areas intersect, providing holistic services that optimize your financial operations.

• Cloud-Based Solutions: We utilize advanced cloud systems to streamline accounting processes, ensuring accuracy, real-time access, and seamless collaboration.

• All-In-One Experience: Our part-time Controller | CFO  services are designed to offer the same level of expertise as full-time roles, without the commitment—perfect for businesses that are scaling but don’t require full-time staff.

• Scalable Solutions: Our services are fully customizable to match your business's needs, whether you're looking for a few hours of support each month or dedicated assistance during peak periods. This flexibility ensures you only pay for what you need.

• Proactive Problem Solving: We don’t just manage your books; we actively seek out potential issues before they become costly problems. Our proactive approach to financial management means fewer surprises and more opportunities for strategic growth.

• Training and Development: We prioritize the training of your in-house team, empowering them with the skills and knowledge needed to maintain accurate, compliant records. This investment in your staff means fewer errors and a stronger overall accounting process.

• Cost-Effective Expertise: Our fractional services allow you to access high-level financial guidance without the overhead of a full-time hire, including benefits and other employment costs. We deliver the same depth of knowledge at a fraction of the price.

• Rapid Adaptation to Change: We adapt quickly to changes in your business, from scaling up during a growth phase to offering interim support during a transition. This agility keeps your financial management aligned with your evolving needs.

• Enhanced Data Security: Using secure cloud-based systems, we ensure that your financial data is not only accurate but also safe from data breaches and unauthorized access. Our secure processes help you maintain compliance with industry standards.

• Streamlined Reporting: We provide easy-to-understand financial reports that keep you informed about your business’s financial health. Our streamlined reporting process ensures that you always have the insights you need for sound decision-making.

• Industry-Specific Knowledge: With experience across multiple sectors, we understand the unique challenges faced by different industries. This allows us to tailor our services to align with your business model and industry requirements, offering advice that’s both relevant and actionable.

A Controller does more than just review numbers—they work closely with your accounting staff to ensure compliance, accuracy, and efficiency in all financial processes. Our Fractional Controllers handle:

​

• Accounts Receivable & Payable Oversight: Training your staff in best practices for managing billing, collections, and payments, while ensuring every transaction is compliant and accurate.

• Payroll Reconciliation & Compliance: Monitoring payroll processes for accuracy, guiding staff on proper deductions and remittances, and occasionally stepping in to ensure everything is running smoothly.

• Full Cycle Month-End Processing Assessments: Properly preparing all financial reporting and analysis to provide accurate insights into your business’s financial health. This includes reviewing reconciliations, journal entries, and adjustments to ensure a smooth month-end close.

• Inventory Management & Entry Oversight: Managing and tracking inventory to ensure accurate valuation and reporting. We help maintain control over inventory records, guiding staff through best practices in entry and reconciliation to minimize discrepancies and ensure compliance with industry standards.

• Industry-Specific Financial Management: Tailoring our services to your industry, from job costing in construction and resource tracking in oil & gas to detailed sales and inventory management in retail. We ensure that your financial processes align with industry benchmarks, helping you stay competitive and compliant.

• Financial Reporting & Analysis: Preparing customized reports that provide insights into your business's financial health while training your team to understand and utilize these insights for better decision-making.

• Bank Reconciliations & Integrity Checks: Ensuring your cash balances are accurate through detailed reviews, and guiding staff on best practices for reconciliation.

• General Ledger Management: Reviewing and maintaining the general ledger to ensure all transactions are accurately recorded. This ensures the integrity of your financial data and helps prevent errors during audits and financial reviews.

• Fixed Asset Management: Managing the tracking, depreciation, and reconciliation of fixed assets, ensuring that all capital investments are properly accounted for and reflected in your financial statements.

• Audit Preparation & Support: Assisting in the preparation of audit documentation and working with external auditors to provide clarity on financial records, reducing the time and stress of the audit process.

• Internal Controls Implementation: Establishing and maintaining strong internal controls to prevent fraud, reduce errors, and ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.

• Accruals & Prepaid Expenses Management: Managing accruals, prepaid expenses, and other adjusting entries to ensure your financial records accurately reflect all earned revenues and incurred expenses, providing a true picture of your financial standing.

Outsourcing your Controller or CFO functions gives your business access to expert financial leadership without the commitment of a full-time hire. Here’s why partnering with Forge Accounting & Management Services is a smart move:

• Cost-Effective Expertise: Hiring a full-time Controller or CFO can cost upwards of $85,000 annually, plus benefits. Outsourcing offers top-tier financial expertise without the full-time expense, allowing you to scale support as needed—whether it’s a few hours a week or targeted assistance during peak periods.

• Support for Overwhelmed C-Suite Executives and Owners: Lets help you focus on strategy and growth. We handle daily accounting tasks, conduct internal audits, and provide interim support during transitions, allowing your C-Suite Team to dedicate time to high-level projects.

• A Seamless Extension of Your Team: We integrate effortlessly with your existing team, filling gaps during leaves, assisting with complex tasks, or offering additional support for large projects. Our presence ensures your financial operations remain smooth and consistent.

• Continuity in Unexpected Situations: When key team members are unavailable due to illness or leave, we maintain the momentum of your financial management. Our support ensures your accounting functions continue without interruption.

• Flexible Solutions for Your Needs: Whether it’s temporary coverage, team training, or extra hands during busy times, our services adapt to fit your unique business needs, ensuring your financial processes run smoothly.

• Focus on Growth: We manage the day-to-day accounting, enabling your CFO to prioritize strategic initiatives and business expansion without being slowed by operational details.

• Contract-Based Efficiency: Our services offer the flexibility of short-term or long-term support without requiring long-term commitments. This keeps your costs controlled while meeting immediate financial needs.

• Proven Expertise for Consistent Results:  With extensive experience and reliable processes, we deliver accurate, consistent financial management. Partnering with us means your business is always in good hands, positioned for ongoing success.

Choosing Forge Accounting for your fractional Controller or CFO needs means gaining a flexible, skilled partner dedicated to supporting your business growth and success.

Our Controllers and CFOs don’t just manage financial complexities—they empower your team. We train your staff, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge to maintain efficiency and accuracy, even after our engagement. This leaves your business stronger and more self-sufficient in the long run.

​

• Proactive Compliance and Detailed Reviews: We believe in more than just keeping your books in order. Our proactive approach means that we continuously monitor and refine your financial processes on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis. This ensures that your business stays compliant, mitigates risks, and remains prepared for growth opportunities.

• Strategic Vision with Operational Precision: We align our financial expertise with your business’s long-term goals. Our operational focus keeps day-to-day processes running smoothly, while our strategic insights help you navigate growth, optimize resources, and achieve your vision with clarity and confidence.

• Customized Support for Unique Challenges: We understand that every business is different. Whether you need help refining existing processes, addressing specific challenges, or planning for future growth, we tailor our services to meet your unique needs, ensuring that you receive the most value from our partnership.

• Hands-On Approach to Financial Health: Our Controllers dive deep into your financial operations, providing hands-on management and oversight. This means we don’t just review from afar—we work closely with your team to ensure that every detail is correct, accurate, and aligned with your goals.

• Focus on Continuous Improvement: We aim to enhance the efficiency of your financial operations, constantly looking for opportunities to improve processes, reduce costs, and streamline workflows. This commitment to improvement ensures that your business is always evolving and adapting to new challenges.

• Seamless Integration with Your Existing Processes: We become an extension of your team, fitting smoothly into your existing operations. This allows us to provide support without disrupting your business, ensuring that changes are implemented effectively and with minimal friction.

• Long-Term Success Mindset: Our goal isn’t just to provide short-term solutions. We focus on building a partnership that drives your long-term success, offering strategic advice, financial oversight, and a commitment to your business’s continuous growth and stability.

Our services adapt to your business’s unique challenges, providing the right level of support when you need it most:

​

• Interim Support for CFOs: Filling in during transitions, leaves, or when your CFO needs to focus on strategic projects.

• On-Demand Expertise: Access a Controller or CFO for specific needs without the full-time commitment, ensuring high-quality financial oversight without the long-term costs.

• Smooth Transitions & System Integrations: Helping your team adapt to new software or accounting systems, and providing guidance on best practices during periods of change.

• Scalable Services: As your business grows, so do your financial needs. Our services can scale up or down based on your current requirements, making it easier to adjust support levels without the hassle of hiring or reducing in-house staff.

• Customizable Engagements: Every business is unique, so we tailor our support to fit your specific industry, challenges, and goals. From focused support on specific accounting issues to broader oversight and strategic guidance, we adapt our approach to align with your needs.

• Short-Term & Long-Term Solutions: Whether you need immediate short-term assistance to address an urgent financial challenge or long-term strategic guidance for sustainable growth, we offer flexible solutions that fit seamlessly into your business plans.

• Specialized Project Support: Need help with year-end audits, new market expansion, or large-scale financial analysis? We provide targeted support for specific projects, bringing specialized skills to ensure successful outcomes without the need for long-term contracts.

• Ongoing Training & Development for Your Team: We don’t just fill in—we also invest in training your accounting staff, helping them develop the skills they need to handle everyday tasks more effectively, which means your team benefits from continuous improvement.

• Proactive Advice
  We deliver insights that empower your business, guiding strategic planning and helping you navigate financial challenges with confidence. Our proactive approach ensures you stay ahead of the curve, enabling better decision-making for long-term success.

• Data Continuity
  Our systems keep your financial data up-to-date, providing access to real-time reports whenever you need them. This means your business always has accurate information for decision-making, month-end reviews, and annual planning, ensuring you’re never in the dark about your financial status.

• Peace of Mind
  Focus on your core operations while we manage compliance and regulatory updates. With our experience, your business meets the latest standards, minimizing risks and protecting you from costly mistakes. Rest easy knowing that your accounting is handled with precision.

• Cost Savings
  Full-time Controllers can come with a significant price tag, with salaries starting at $85,000 per year plus additional overhead costs like benefits and taxes. Forge’s part-time solutions offer the same level of expertise without the full-time expense, giving you greater control over your budget. Enjoy high-level services without the hefty costs.

• Optimize Operating Expenses
  Our flexible service model allows you to scale support to fit your needs, whether it’s regular monthly oversight or project-based assistance. This tailored approach means you only pay for the services you need, optimizing your operating expenses while maintaining top-tier financial oversight.

• Get More for Less
  Access the expertise of seasoned Controllers for everything from compliance reviews to financial analysis, without committing to full-time salaries. This means your business benefits from professional insights and precision, all while keeping costs manageable.

• Seamless Interim Support
  When your Controller or CFO is on leave or your business faces unexpected changes, our flexible coverage ensures continuity in your financial management. We maintain smooth accounting operations even during transitions, helping your business stay on track no matter what comes your way.

• Technology Partnerships
  We stay up-to-date with the latest accounting technology, integrating advanced tools to enhance your efficiency. Our partnerships with top software providers ensure that your business has access to the best systems for seamless operations, driving productivity and accuracy across all your financial functions.

Our Controllers and CFOs act as strategic partners, ensuring that financial processes align with your business goals while maintaining compliance:

• Budgeting & Forecasting: Working with your team to build realistic budgets and forecasts, helping anticipate cash flow needs and setting achievable financial targets.

• Financial Analysis & Advisory: Offering detailed analysis of financial data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for growth, while coaching staff on interpreting these insights for better decision-making.

• Internal Compliance Reviews: Regularly assessing your internal processes, ensuring your financial records meet CRA requirements and industry standards, and that your accounting staff is equipped to maintain compliance.

• Cash Flow Management: Developing strategies to optimize cash flow, helping you understand your working capital cycle, and ensuring that your business maintains the liquidity needed to thrive during growth phases and economic challenges.

• Scenario Planning & Risk Management: Assisting in scenario analysis and stress testing to help you prepare for potential market changes or economic downturns, ensuring that your business is ready to adapt to various financial scenarios.

• Tax Planning & Strategy: Working closely with your team to minimize tax liabilities through strategic planning, identifying eligible deductions, and ensuring compliance with all tax regulations for both current and future needs.

• Strategic Decision Support: Providing insights and data-driven advice for major business decisions, from investments in new projects to mergers and acquisitions, ensuring that each move aligns with your long-term financial goals.

• Governance & Financial Reporting: Implementing best practices in governance and transparency, ensuring that your financial reports are accurate, clear, and compliant with industry and regulatory requirements, making it easier to communicate with stakeholders.

• Performance Metrics & KPIs: Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with your business goals, tracking progress, and identifying areas for improvement to ensure that your financial strategy remains on course.

Our approach is hands-on and operational, focusing on the big picture while ensuring every detail is covered:

​

• Daily, Weekly, Monthly Reviews: Overseeing daily accounting entries for accuracy, conducting weekly checks to ensure all transactions are processed correctly, and performing monthly and annual reviews to keep your financials in line with strategic goals.

• Proactive Issue Resolution: We don't wait for problems to arise. By continuously monitoring your financial processes, we can identify and address issues early—whether it's a reconciliation discrepancy, data entry error, or compliance gap—ensuring your operations remain smooth and trouble-free.

• Transactional Accuracy: While our Controllers are primarily focused on oversight, they will occasionally step in to handle critical data entries directly, ensuring that everything is accurate and aligned with your operational needs.

• Staff Training & Development: We invest time in training your accounting team, ensuring they have the knowledge and tools to handle daily tasks efficiently and accurately, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

• Process Optimization: We continuously assess and refine your accounting processes to boost efficiency. From streamlining data entry workflows to automating routine tasks, our focus is on creating systems that save time and reduce manual effort, so your team can concentrate on high-value activities.

• Detailed Cash Flow Monitoring: Managing cash flow is crucial for operational stability. We regularly review cash flow statements and provide recommendations for managing liquidity, optimizing working capital, and preparing for future needs, ensuring that your business is always prepared for unexpected challenges.

• Industry-Specific Insights: Every industry has unique operational challenges. We provide tailored reviews that account for industry-specific requirements, ensuring that your processes are not only efficient but also aligned with industry norms and regulations. Whether it’s managing inventory entries for retail or compliance checks for regulated sectors, we have the expertise to keep your business on track.

• Regular Communication & Reporting: Keeping you informed is a priority. We provide regular reports and updates on your financial status, ensuring you have the information you need to make informed decisions. Our detailed feedback helps you understand how your operations are performing and where improvements can be made.

• Hands-On Support During Key Periods: Whether it’s during month-end close, year-end preparations, or major business changes, we provide focused support to ensure smooth transitions and accurate reporting. Our presence during these critical times means fewer surprises and better results for your business.