How to Choose the Right Financial Controller Service for Your Business

Financial controllers have evolved from number-crunchers into strategic leaders. Research shows businesses investing in their skills, cutting-edge tech, and proactive management gain efficiency, profitability, and compliance, while sidestepping costly errors, steep fines, and lost growth opportunities.

The right financial controller service provides the expertise to navigate these challenges with confidence. Here’s how to choose one.

The Role of a Financial Controller

A 2024 EY report found that 86% of controllers now prioritise value creation rather than just cost-cutting, shifting their role from maintaining accounts to actively shaping business strategy.

Think of them as the strategic force behind the numbers, ensuring financial stability while guiding long-term success. Here’s what they do:

• Financial Reporting & Compliance: Keeping your business audit-ready and tax-compliant.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Map out future growth with financial plans that make sense.
• Risk Management & Internal Controls: Strengthen financial oversight to prevent fraud and inefficiencies.
• Strategic Financial Planning: Use data-driven insights to support smarter business decisions.

Embracing technology is part of this shift – for example, 67% of controllers report they are already integrating AI and data analytics into their daily operations, using these tools for strategic insights​.

Why Your Business Needs a Financial Controller Service

For many growing businesses, hiring a full-time financial controller is costly and unnecessary. Outsourcing provides the same expertise at a fraction of the cost, giving businesses flexibility and access to top-tier financial leadership. The numbers speak for themselves:

Per a 2024 Davies’ Financial Services Insights report, 62% of UK financial service companies say that maintaining regulatory compliance has become increasingly difficult over the past five years, ​​with 36% facing penalties in the past year alone.

How to Choose the Right Financial Controller Service

The right financial controller service adapts to your business, helps streamline financial operations, and keeps you compliant. Here’s what to look for:

• Industry Expertise: Do they understand your sector’s financial landscape and challenges?
• Tech-Savvy Approach: Are they leveraging automation, AI, and financial tools to enhance accuracy and efficiency?
• Proactive Financial Insight: Do they go beyond reporting numbers to offer guidance on growth, cash flow, and risk management?
• Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management: Can they keep you audit-ready and penalty-free?
• Scalability: Will their service adapt as your business grows and financial needs evolve?

The Impact of Choosing the Right Financial Controller

UK companies that invested in financial controller services reported measurable improvements:

• Businesses leveraging professional financial services see an 11.5% boost in annual revenue on average.
• 73% of SMEs report improved compliance and financial accuracy when working with external experts.
• Finance teams saved 9.1 hours per week on administrative work, allowing more focus on growth.

Partner with Experts for Long-Term Growth

A financial controller service is one of the smartest investments a business can make to ensure compliance, increase efficiency, and provide the insights needed for long-term success. With financial demands growing, having expert guidance is no longer optional - it’s essential.

Sanay specialises in delivering expert financial controller services for growing businesses. Speak with our team today to see how we can help you streamline financial management and accelerate your success.