Help Your Controller Succeed

I once advised a capable controller who struggled—not because he lacked skill, but because he was constantly derailed by last-minute requests from his boss. It’s worth noting that this boss was also the owner of the business, which amplified the dynamic and made it even harder for the controller to manage his workload effectively. This scenario, where a controller reports directly to the business owner, is quite common in small businesses, adding another layer of complexity to effective management. The boss frequently redirected the controller toward various unrelated tasks based on spontaneous requests, without considering how these disruptions impacted the controller’s core responsibilities. These sudden interruptions made it challenging for the controller to manage critical financial processes efficiently. As is often the case, the controller did not feel empowered to push back or communicate effectively about task prioritization, resulting in a stressful environment and delayed standard financial activities.

Understanding the Controller’s Role

A company's controller typically handles numerous critical tasks performed sequentially throughout the month, such as invoice processing, payment scheduling, cash management, payroll processing, bank reconciliations, month-end journal entries, financial statement preparation, budgeting updates, variance analysis, and compliance reporting. Many of these tasks are not automated, requiring significant manual data entry, verification, and review. Consequently, these activities are laborious and time-consuming, demanding careful attention to detail and strict adherence to deadlines to avoid financial inaccuracies and compliance issues. Compliance reporting may be for internal purposes or required by external parties such as lenders, investors, directors, suppliers, and clients. Effective task organization is critical due to the manual nature of the controller’s responsibilities.

Effective Controller Management Strategy

To support your controller effectively, consider implementing a shared spreadsheet or task management system. Clearly list all monthly tasks, including key responsibilities such as financial closings, reconciliations, payroll processing, reporting deadlines, and compliance filings. Include columns for specific due dates and another to check off tasks as completed. This transparent approach allows supervisors to assess the controller’s workload at any given time and decide more thoughtfully whether it's appropriate to request additional tasks. Ultimately, this practice empowers controllers, improves communication, and enhances overall organizational efficiency.