--- title: "Remote controller review for franchise owners" description: "Remote controller review for franchise owners: senior controller review of the close, policies and controls — without a full-time hire." url: https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/franchises/controller-services/ updated: 2026-09-11 publisher: LedgerBPO (SS Support Network LLC) language: en-US --- # Remote controller review for franchise owners Remote controller review for franchise owners adds a senior accountant above the bookkeeping to review the close, question the numbers and manage the relationships with your franchisor, lender and CPA. Multi-unit operators face development-schedule financing, franchisor audits, percentage-rent disputes, refinancing and eventually the sale or resale of units, and each needs someone who understands the books at a controller level. In short: an outsourced controller for franchise owners, working inside your ledger on a fixed monthly calendar. - Since 2020 - US · UK · CA · AU - Named accountant plus backup - Your software, no lock-in [Get a custom quote](https://ledgerbpo.com/get-a-quote/) [Book a 20-minute call](https://ledgerbpo.com/book-a-call/) Updated September 2026 ## How it runs for franchise owners A LedgerBPO controller reviews every unit's close under Two-Tier Review, maintains the cash forecast around royalty and debt drafts, prepares lender and franchisor packages, and answers questions through our Compliance Desk within 2 business days. ## What are outsourced controller services? Outsourced controller services provide the review layer that sits between bookkeeping and the owner: a senior accountant who checks the close, owns the accounting policies, tests the controls around cash and spending, and explains the financial statements. The controller does not do daily posting. They make sure what was posted is right and documented before anyone relies on it. ## What we handle for franchise owners - Monthly review of every unit's close, with variance questions answered before release - 13-week cash forecast across units around royalty, rent, payroll and loan dates - Lender covenant and franchisor audit packages prepared and explained - New-unit and resale accounting: franchise fees, build-out, purchase price allocation - Quarterly review call with the owner and, where wanted, the CPA ## The KPI that matters here Controller review completed and questions closed before every monthly release. ## Franchises compliance notes ### Franchisor royalty reporting Your agreement defines gross sales for royalty purposes, and the definition often excludes sales tax and refunds but includes gift-card redemptions and delivery orders. We keep the ledger's sales accounts aligned to that definition so the weekly upload and the monthly royalty statement reconcile without manual adjustments. Any dispute is documented with POS exports the franchisor can trace. ### Marketing-fund and local advertising reporting Brand marketing-fund contributions are a separate percentage from royalties and many agreements also require a minimum local advertising spend, often 1 to 2% of gross sales, with proof on request. We track both in their own accounts and keep invoices attached so the annual attestation is a report, not a search. ### Audit rights and record retention Franchise agreements commonly allow the franchisor to inspect books and POS data, and to charge the audit cost to you if under-reporting exceeds a stated threshold, frequently 2 to 3%. Every sales entry carries its source document in LedgerDesk so an inspection can be answered from the file. ### Multi-state sales tax and payroll Units in different states carry different sales-tax rates, filing frequencies and payroll registrations. We track liabilities by unit and state, prepare the workings, and your registered preparer files; we do not file on your behalf. ## Franchises software we work in - [QuickBooks Online](https://ledgerbpo.com/software/quickbooks-online/) - [Xero](https://ledgerbpo.com/software/xero/) - [Bill.com](https://ledgerbpo.com/software/bill-com/) - [Gusto](https://ledgerbpo.com/software/gusto/) - [Square](https://ledgerbpo.com/software/square/) - [Dext](https://ledgerbpo.com/software/dext/) - [Fathom](https://ledgerbpo.com/software/fathom/) - Toast - [All 50 platforms](https://ledgerbpo.com/software/) ## More for franchise owners Other services for franchises - [Bookkeeping](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/franchises/bookkeeping/) - [Invoicing and billing](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/franchises/invoicing-and-billing/) - [Accounts receivable](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/franchises/accounts-receivable/) - [Accounts payable](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/franchises/accounts-payable/) - [Bank reconciliation](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/franchises/bank-reconciliation/) - [Month-end close](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/franchises/month-end-close/) - [All franchises services](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/franchises/) Controller services in other industries - [Marketing agencies & consultancies](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/agencies/controller-services/) - [Auto repair shops & dealerships](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/auto/controller-services/) - [Behavioral health practices](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/behavioral-health/controller-services/) - [Daycares, schools & education](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/childcare-education/controller-services/) - [The full controller services page](https://ledgerbpo.com/services/controller-services/) ## Frequently asked questions ### When does a franchisee need a controller rather than a bookkeeper? Usually at three or more units, or whenever a lender, franchisor or buyer starts asking questions the bookkeeper cannot answer. A controller reviews rather than posts, forecasts cash across units, manages covenant reporting and handles the accounting for openings, refinancing and resales. Our review sits above the bookkeeping team you already have or the one we provide. ### Can the controller deal with my franchisor's audit or my lender directly? The controller prepares the package, explains it to you and joins calls with your franchisor, lender or CPA when you want them there. We do not represent you legally and we give no tax or legal advice; those remain with your attorney and CPA. What we provide is a reconciled, documented set of numbers and someone who can walk through them. ### How does controller review differ from the month-end close service? The close service produces reconciled books and statements each month; controller review adds a senior layer that challenges the results, forecasts cash, manages covenant and franchisor reporting and advises on unit-level accounting decisions. Many owners start with the month-end close service for franchise owners and add controller review as units grow. Next step ## Books closed. Invoices paid. Every month. Tell us what is going on with your books or billing. You will hear from a named person within 1 business day, with a custom quote and a plan for the first close. - Reply from a named person within 1 business day - No setup fee, month-to-month - Your software, your data, no lock-in Start with a custom quote [Get a custom quote](https://ledgerbpo.com/get-a-quote/) [Book a 20-minute call](https://ledgerbpo.com/book-a-call/) Or call [+1-657-777-0006](tel:+16577770006) during US, UK or Australian business hours. --- Source: https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/franchises/controller-services/ · Contact: https://ledgerbpo.com/contact/ · Full site map for agents: https://ledgerbpo.com/llms.txt