Controller Lite Package

Consistent reporting, without structural change.

Controller Lite Package by Brett J. Federer Accounting

Controller Lite is designed for companies that need clearer, more reliable financial reporting without rebuilding their accounting system. It focuses on stabilizing close discipline, improving consistency, reducing financial risk, and increasing visibility within the structure already in place. Because the system is preserved rather than redesigned, many companies continue operating within Controller Lite long-term, using it to maintain a steady close and dependable internal reporting unless structural issues later require a rebuild.

Unlike the Financial Clarity Package, Controller Lite operates within an existing accounting setup rather than redesigning it. Because the system is not being rebuilt, the service is platform-flexible and can be delivered across a wide range of accounting software platforms, including QuickBooks.

Operating assumption: A dedicated bookkeeper is required and may be full-time, part-time, fractional, outsourced, or contract-based.

What You Have

What You Gain

Irregular Close Rythem

Assumption Drift

Reactive Monthly Closes

Inconsistent Numbers

Decision Uncertainty

Steady Cadence

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Controller Lite

Package

Disclosed Assumptions

Calm Close

Internally Reliable Numbers

Financial Confidence

How Stability Is Maintained

Controller Lite focuses on preserving the existing accounting structure while applying consistent review, close discipline, and issue escalation. Known limitations are documented, recurring risks are monitored, and material issues are surfaced to management as they arise, without rebuilding the underlying system.

You’ve built a foundation that supports the business.

With a steady close, I'll keep the numbers steady.

Operating within a consistent close and clearly understood assumptions that keep the month-to-month predictable.

Controller Lite

Package

Existing Accounting Foundation
(Inherited Structure)

The Controller Lite Package assumes an existing accounting environment that is already structurally sound.

This package does not include rebuilding systems, rewriting policies, redesigning workflows, or remediating historical accounting. Instead, it operates within the current accounting structure to preserve consistency and reliability.

Typical conditions include:

An established chart of accounts and reporting structure
A defined monthly close process and cadence
A bookkeeper or internal resource performing transactional work
No requirement for structural accounting changes or historical rebuilds
- (Though, can be scoped separately).

This foundation is maintained, not altered.

Recurring
Services
(Fixed Cost, Fixed Scope)

Monthly Close (Preservation)

Close Review (Soft Close)

Each month, the books are reviewed to maintain a dependable, internally reliable view of financial performance without prematurely locking the period, preserving flexibility while ensuring numbers remain internally consistent, comparable across periods, and reliable for ongoing decisions.

Cash Visibility Graphs

Each month, standardized graphs track total cash balance, cash in, and cash out. These views are presented consistently month over month so changes in burn, inflows, or pressure surface early rather than after issues compound. Historical and current-state visibility only, not forward projections.

Bookkeeper Coordination

Reporting standards are applied and monitored through ongoing close review, with issues communicated to the bookkeeper for correction or visibility. All company staff report to internal management. Brett J. Federer Accounting does not manage or supervise client personnel.

Exception Flags

Material variances, unusual entries, or compliance risks are flagged directly as they surface, so they don’t get lost in the numbers. Not a standing deliverable, but a safeguard to ensure important issues are surfaced clearly when they arise.

Quarterly Close (Validation)

Close Finalization (Hard Close)

At quarter-end, a hard close is performed with key accounts reconciled, adjustments finalized, and the period locked, producing the definitive internal financial package used for leadership review, board-level discussions, and internal governance.

Financial Validation

Each quarter, a validation review is performed to confirm periods are fully closed, reconciliations are complete, material variances are identified and understood from an accounting perspective, and reporting remains structurally consistent. The objective is to confirm the financial system continues to operate as designed and produces reliable internal-use financials.

Quarterly Financial Package (Internal Use Only)

Prepared from client-provided records; not an audit or review or fraud detection.

All financials are prepared for internal management use only.
If unusual items are identified, they will be communicated promptly.
Scope includes:
- Balance Sheet (2x): Year-to-date with monthly splits; as of quarter close
- Profit & Loss (2x): Year-to-date with monthly splits; as of quarter close
- Cash Flow (optional): Provided upon request

This is a structured, ongoing phase with predictable support rather than real-time or on-call availability. At this point, systems are assumed to be stable, with any changes typically driven by growth, regulation, or business evolution. Any additional ad-hoc financial analysis can be performed for $175/hr, up to 8 hours a month with no carry over from month to month - client directed.

If onboarding begins late in a quarter, a built-in grace period allows time to stabilize systems and reconciliations. In these cases, the first full quarterly close begins the following quarter. From there, reporting cadence aligns naturally so leadership receives consistent first-half and second-half visibility each year.

Onboarding Schedule

System Requirements

Controller Lite is platform-flexible and operates within the company’s existing accounting system, including QuickBooks. Because the system is already in place, the focus is on improving reporting discipline and close consistency inside the current platform rather than redesigning the underlying structure.

Where the Controller Lite Package Sits

Management / Leadership

Strategic planning
Business decisions
Board meetings / preparation

Staff management and payroll
Forecast creation & ownership
KPI calculation and interpretation

Controller Level Support

Issues surfaced, as appropriate
Close structure and cadence
Consistent month-end execution

Financial reporting integrity
Monthly cash graphs (3 views)
Ongoing system stability

* Bookkeeper may be full-time, part-time, fractional, outsourced, or contract-based.

Transactional Support (Bookkeeper)

Daily transaction entry
Receipts and bill handling
Record maintenance
Bank & credit card reconciliations

Sales tax filings
Property tax filings
Customer invoicing
Vendor bill processing

Change Guidelines:
Process, Policy, Procedures,

The Controller Lite Package does not include redesigning processes, drafting policies, or implementing structural accounting changes.

If structural issues or improvement opportunities are identified, they are surfaced clearly and documented. No structural or procedural changes are implemented under this package without a separately scoped engagement. Any changes are evaluated and scoped separately at the client’s discretion.

Pricing & Terms

I believe in clean numbers — and clean pricing.

Structured Pricing

Model

Click to see how

pricing is determined

Recurring Services

Monthly

Simple: $3,000

Complex: $4,000

Fixed Cost,

Fixed Scope

+ $175 / Hour

Founder Support Hours

Up to 8 Hrs / Month

No Carry-Overs

Early 2026 Pricing

Available for new clients onboarding in Q1 2026.

For clients who sign on between January 1 and March 31, 2026.

10% reduction to all fixed monthly charges for the first three months of service

Monthly Charges:
- 10% off the fixed monthly package costs
- Applies regardless of workload, complexity, or onboarding pace
- Discount ends automatically upon issuance of the third monthly invoice
- Founder Support Hours remain optional and governed by standard terms (not discounted)
- Cannot be combined with any other discounts

This pricing is available for new clients who sign on during Q1 2026.
All services, scope, and deliverables remain unchanged. This is simply a thank-you for committing early.

🔹 How it works:

The not-so-‘Fine Print’

This section exists to remove surprises, not to bury terms.

Additional terms may be outlined in your Engagement Agreement, which governs in the event of any conflict.

Read This

See the full checklist here →
Your price is determined by a clear checklist — not a judgment call.
- Simple: 0–1 boxes checked of 10 → $3,000/month.
- Complex: 2–5 boxes checked of 10 → $4,000/month.
- Super Complex: 6-10 boxes checked of 10 → Custom Price
  - Designed only for rare outliers that meet nearly all criteria.

Founder Support Hours are intended to address limited accounting work related to the ongoing operation of the existing accounting environment and are not a substitute for separately scoped project work.
Clarification and explanation are not billable and do not count toward Founder Support Hours.
Founder Support Hours do not include ongoing advisory services, tax work, forecasting, metrics, operational decision-making, or new system design unless separately scoped.

If your bookkeeper leaves, changes, or performance drops and your books become unreliable, your monthly package temporarily adjusts to 150%.
This adjustment applies during disruption and ends once workflows are stable.
Clients will be notified when triggered.
Short-Term Accounting Support may be elected instead when no accounting staff is in place.
- See details under Short-Term Accounting Support here →

Reference Only

Invoicing & Timing
- Fixed monthly packages are billed at the start of each month for the month ahead. Payment is due within fifteen (15) days. Services may be paused for non-payment.
Service Scope
- Controller Lite covers ongoing professional accounting support within the defined monthly scope. Services are structured to support an existing accounting environment and do not include system rebuilds, historical cleanup, policy design, or separately scoped project work unless explicitly agreed.
Third-Party Costs & Access
- Service fees cover professional services only and do not include third-party software subscriptions. Client-facing accounting platforms are licensed and paid for directly by the client, with access provided through advisor roles or client-created credentials.

Rates increase 5% every 12 months to account for inflation and ongoing system upkeep.
The 12 month cycle begins with your first invoice. Onboarding counts toward the 12 months.
This adjustment is automatic and predictable. Clients may cancel at any time if the service is no longer a fit.

Clients are expected to provide timely cooperation and access to records.
If information is withheld or access is restricted, services may be paused.
Persistent delays or unresponsiveness may result in paused service or early termination.

Either Party
- Either party may cancel services at any time.
First 30 Days of the Engagement
- The full monthly rate is billed for the month in which cancellation occurs — the fee is not prorated or discounted, regardless of cancellation date.
Post 30 Days After Engagement
- The full monthly rate is billed for the month in which cancellation occurs — the fee is not prorated or discounted, regardless of cancellation date.
- A termination fee equal to one additional month of service is charged, separate from the final month’s billing.