Canadian nonprofits often operate with tight budgets and lean teams. But as your organization grows, your finances inevitably get more complex.
At some point, basic bookkeeping isn’t enough. You’re managing grants, producing board reports, navigating CRA filings, and preparing for audits often without dedicated financial leadership. That’s where a fractional controller can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll walk through what a fractional controller does for nonprofits, how to know if it’s time to bring one on, and what kind of outcomes you can expect from the investment.
What a Fractional Controller Does for Growing Canadian Nonprofits
A fractional controller is a part-time, external financial expert who helps oversee your accounting processes, strengthen controls, and keep your books audit-ready. They’re not just checking your bookkeeper’s work. They’re building the financial backbone your organization needs to grow with confidence.
Here’s how the roles typically differ:
- Bookkeeper: Records transactions and handles day-to-day entries
- Controller: Ensures accounting accuracy, manages reporting, builds internal processes
- CFO: Focuses on high-level forecasting and financial strategy
Fractional controllers are ideal for nonprofits that have outgrown basic bookkeeping but aren’t ready for a full-time finance team. You get the expertise without the overhead.
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What Changes When You Have a Fractional Controller on Your Team
For many nonprofit leaders, managing finances feels reactive. Reports are unclear, audit prep is stressful, and the ED is constantly pulled into the weeds.
A fractional controller acts as your financial second-in-command, bringing structure, accuracy, and consistency to your back office.
Here’s what that support looks like in action.
Stop worrying whether your numbers are right
A controller ensures monthly reports are accurate, complete, and aligned with your chart of accounts so you’re never surprised by year-end adjustments or funder questions.
Catch issues before they snowball
From uncategorized transactions to missing reconciliations, a controller reviews your books with an expert eye and flags small issues before they become costly problems.
Get audit-ready without the panic
Your controller oversees year-end audit prep, ensures documentation is complete, and even liaises directly with your auditor—saving your team weeks of back-and-forth.
Reduce risk and protect your funding
With proper internal controls in place, you’ll reduce the risk of fraud, misallocation, or financial mismanagement—all of which can jeopardize funding relationships.
Support your team without adding headcount
A controller can oversee or train your bookkeeper, ops lead, or finance coordinator—helping everyone work more efficiently and confidently.
Help your board trust the numbers again
If board members keep asking for financial clarity, a controller delivers clean, consistent reporting that gives everyone a shared understanding of your financial position.
Give your ED or ops lead room to lead
Instead of double-checking journal entries or fixing reporting gaps, your leadership team can focus on strategy, knowing the back office is under control.
A fractional controller helps you move from firefighting to financial fluency without hiring a full-time team.
Signs Your Nonprofit Might Need a Fractional Controller
If you’re seeing any of the issues below, your organization may have outgrown basic bookkeeping.
| Red Flag | What It Looks Like | How a Controller Helps |
| Financial reports are late, wrong, or unclear | You’re constantly finding errors or can’t explain variances to the board | Builds consistent monthly close process and ensures reports are accurate and board-ready |
| Audit prep is a nightmare | Gathering documents derails your team for weeks | Oversees audit prep, organizes documentation, and liaises with auditors |
| You’re scaling fast without financial systems | New grants, programs, or staff are straining your current setup | Implements systems and workflows that scale with your organization |
| Your ED or ops manager is stuck double-checking everything | Leadership is pulled into low-level financial admin | Takes over financial oversight so leadership can lead |
| You’re not sure if you’re compliant with CRA or funders | GST/HST, restricted funds, and allocations feel fuzzy | Maintains audit trails and ensures CRA and funder compliance |
How Fractional Controllers Support Canadian Nonprofits
Nonprofit finance comes with its own challenges, and Canada adds another layer of complexity.
A fractional controller can help you manage:
- CRA and charity-specific filings, including your annual T3010
- GST/HST rebate tracking and claims for qualifying expenses
- Restricted fund management, ensuring donor dollars are properly allocated
- Program vs. admin cost tracking, to meet funder and CRA expectations
- Audit-ready documentation and internal controls
Unlike for-profit businesses, Canadian nonprofits are expected to demonstrate not just financial health, but financial accountability. A controller helps you do both without increasing headcount.
Is It Time? Quick Self-Assessment
Use this matrix to evaluate where your organization stands. If you’re checking off more in the right column, it’s time to consider bringing in a controller.
| Area | In Good Shape | Needs Attention |
| Financial Reporting | Monthly reports are timely and accurate | Reports are delayed, confusing, or inaccurate |
| Audit Readiness | Year-end prep is smooth and well-documented | Audits derail your team and feel chaotic |
| Internal Controls | We have checks, balances, and processes in place | There’s little oversight or process standardization |
| Team Capacity | Our leadership and bookkeeper are working efficiently | Our ED or ops lead is constantly stepping in |
| Board Engagement | Board has confidence in the financials | Board keeps asking for clarification or better reporting |
What Does a Fractional Controller Cost?
Fractional controller services typically cost between $2,500 and $5,000 per month, depending on your organization’s size, complexity, and reporting needs.
This is significantly more affordable than hiring a full-time controller, which could cost upwards of $100,000 per year in salary and benefits. With a fractional controller, you only pay for the level of support you actually need—and you can scale up or down as your organization evolves.
At Enkel, most nonprofits start with monthly controller support that includes financial oversight, audit prep, and reporting cleanup. Some choose to increase support during year-end, grant reporting cycles, or audit season.
The cost of a fractional controller depends on your organization’s size, complexity, and needs. But in most cases, the investment is far less than hiring a full-time senior finance professional, and more flexible, too.
At Enkel, controller services are available on a part-time, recurring basis that scales with your nonprofit. Whether you need a few hours a month or consistent weekly support, we’ll tailor the engagement to your needs.
Explore our fractional controller service options and book a call for a personalized quote.
Final Thoughts
If your nonprofit is starting to feel the strain of growing financial complexity, you’re not alone.Many Canadian organizations reach a tipping point where bookkeeping isn’t enough but hiring a full-time CFO or controller still feels out of reach.
A fractional controller meets you in the middle. You get the leadership, accuracy, and accountability your board is asking for, with the flexibility your budget requires.
Talk to an Enkel Expert to discuss if a financial controller would benefit your organization.
