Why Hiring A Controller Can Be So Important & How To Find The Right One For Your Business?
Your small business is growing, and as wonderful as all the new income and new clients are, you're in need of some help. It's time to start hiring, and you need to look at hiring some higher-up positions within your organization. That can be a terrifying prospect when you consider you're hiring someone with the goal of giving him or her the keys to your organization. That's why it's so important that you do your due diligence and find the perfect person to work with you as your business continues to grow.
The position of controller is one that many organizations find to be very valuable. If you've never hired a controller before, then you'll want to start with the basic job description. You can find a lot of sample job descriptions for controllers online, and if you've got a CPA firm that you work with, they can probably offer some insight as well. The job description should cover all the basic information your controller will need to know. Software systems, financial statements, income statements, cash flow statements and similar documents are just some of the items that your controller should be familiar with. You'll also want to specify if your controller will be responsible for things like audits, payroll, workers compensation, insurance and other similar items.
If you're running a smaller organization, one that has less than $10 million in annual revenue, then you should be able to hire a controller that doesn't have a CPA. However, if you're in a larger organization, you'll definitely want to look for someone with those three initials after his or her name. You'll also want to look for people who have the right personality to do well in a position like a controller. Candidates should be good with numbers and extremely detail-oriented. They should be excellent with facts and processes, which are qualities that should prioritize over softer skills and interest in service-based processes.
When looking to hire your controller, the typical online job boards are usually a waste of time and money. Instead, start your search with your local banks, CPA firms and even within your own personal network. You can also check the Financial Executives Networking Group, which helps senior financial executives find employment on a national level. You may even need to look at hiring a head hunter or someone with experience finding executive level employees. No matter what you do, take the time to find the right person that will truly excel in this position, as it's a very important key to your success as a business.
This article was written by Deborah Flomberg of Examiner.com for CBS Small Business Pulse.
