When should a business hire a Financial Controller?

As your business grows, so does the complexity. More invoices, more staff, more systems - and suddenly you’re making high-stakes decisions based on out-of-date spreadsheets and gut feel.

You’re not just short on time.
You’re short on visibility.
You’re not just feeling pressure.
You’re flying blind.

That’s where a Financial Controller steps in - not just to keep the numbers straight, but to help you grow with confidence.

How you know it’s time

If any of the following sound familiar, it’s likely time to bring in financial control - before the cracks widen:

You’ve recently raised funding or are preparing to: Investors want confidence in your numbers. They’ll expect financial reports, forecasts, and structured oversight from day one.
You’re growing quickly: Sales are up, headcount is increasing, and the old finance processes are starting to break under pressure.
You’re entering new markets or launching new products: With complexity comes risk. You need robust financial planning to make smart moves.
You’re preparing for a future sale or investment round: Whether it's due diligence or investor reporting, your financial infrastructure needs to be solid and scalable.
Your finance team is stretched - or doesn’t exist: If your bookkeeper is juggling payroll, VAT, and reporting - or you’re doing it yourself - it’s time for a rethink.
You’ve outgrown just the bookkeeping system: Your data’s there, but it’s not telling the full story. You need someone who can turn numbers into strategy.
You want more control, but not more hires: You know the finances need structure, but hiring a full-time team just doesn’t make sense right now.
You're spending too much time on finance - or so is your leadership team: As the owner, MD, or Ops lead, your energy should be focused on growth, customers, and delivery. If you’re knee-deep in spreadsheets, your business is missing out on your highest value. Let the finance professionals handle the finance.

The cost of waiting too long

Waiting until your business is in financial trouble to bring in help is like trying to install a fire alarm after the fire has already started.

Without proper financial control, you risk:

Cash flow gaps that stall growth
Costly mistakes in compliance and reporting
Missed opportunities because you’re flying blind

A Financial Controller doesn’t just solve problems - they prevent them. They give you structure, oversight, and confidence to grow without second-guessing every financial move.

Hiring vs. outsourcing

Hiring an in-house Financial Controller sounds like the natural next step - but with salaries exceeding £70,000 (plus NI, pensions, and benefits), it’s a significant investment.

That’s why more growing businesses are choosing to outsource the role.

An outsourced Financial Controller delivers the same expertise - cash flow clarity, reliable reporting, strategic input - but without the full-time overheads or recruitment headaches.

You get the benefit of a senior finance professional, backed by a wider team, on your terms.

What this means for you

You don’t need a Financial Controller.

You need what having one gives you:

Clarity over cash flow
Confidence in your numbers
Control over your growth

Let’s talk about how an outsourced Finance Function can give you financial control - without the full-time cost. Book your discovery call today.