How it runs for manufacturers and wholesalers
A LedgerBPO controller reviews each close under Two-Tier Review, maintains a 13-week cash forecast that includes purchase commitments, prepares the lender package, answers questions through our Compliance Desk within 2 business days and joins a quarterly call with you and your CPA.
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 manufacturers and wholesalers
- Costing policy: method, overhead rates, standard-cost updates and variance review
- Monthly close review with margin, inventory and variance questions answered before release
- Borrowing-base certificates and covenant reporting prepared from reconciled figures
- 13-week cash forecast including open purchase orders, duty and loan payments
- Sales-tax nexus and exemption-certificate exposure reviewed quarterly
The KPI that matters here
Controller review completed and open questions closed before every monthly release.
Manufacturing compliance notes
Sales-tax exemption certificates
Resale certificates, manufacturing machinery and equipment exemptions and direct-pay permits each exempt a sale only when a valid certificate is on file at the time of sale or obtained within the state's grace period. We collect certificates at customer setup, store them against the customer record, track expiry dates and produce an exempt-sales report with certificate references for every period. Your preparer or Avalara files the return; we prepare the workings.
Cost of goods sold and inventory valuation
Inventory must be valued on a consistent method, whether FIFO, weighted average or standard cost with variances, and cost of goods sold must include the costs your CPA determines are inventoriable under IRS §471 and, above the gross-receipts threshold, §263A. We apply the method your CPA sets, reconcile the inventory system to the ledger monthly and document every adjustment, so year-end is a review rather than a rebuild.
Landed cost and import duty
Customs duty, tariffs, freight, insurance and brokerage on inbound goods are part of inventory cost and reach expense only when the goods are sold. We allocate these costs to receipts in Cin7, NetSuite or your ERP and post the same allocation in the ledger, so margin by product reflects what the goods actually cost to put on the shelf.
Multi-state nexus for wholesalers
A wholesaler with customers across states may have economic nexus in states where it makes no taxable sales, and still owe registration and returns to report exempt sales. We track sales by ship-to state and flag thresholds so you and your advisor can register where required. We do not give tax advice; we supply the numbers.
Manufacturing software we work in
- QuickBooks Online
- Sage Intacct
- Sage 50
- NetSuite
- Xero
- Bill.com
- Avalara
- Cin7
- Katana
- Fishbowl
- All 50 platforms
More for manufacturers and wholesalers
Other services for manufacturing
Controller services in other industries
Frequently asked questions
When does a manufacturer need a controller rather than a bookkeeper?
Usually when inventory financing starts, when standard costs need setting or updating, when customer concentration or tariffs make margin volatile, or when the lender asks questions the bookkeeper cannot answer. A controller reviews rather than posts, sets policy, forecasts cash and manages lender reporting. Our review works above your existing bookkeeper or ours.
Can the controller set and maintain standard costs?
Yes, working with your CPA and production manager, the controller sets material, labor and overhead standards, updates them on an agreed cycle, reviews purchase price, usage and absorption variances each month and recommends when standards need revising. We do not make purchasing or pricing decisions; we give you the numbers to make them.
How does controller review differ from the month-end close service?
The close service delivers reconciled books and statements each month; controller review adds policy setting, challenge of the results, cash forecasting, lender reporting and support through financing, audits and sales. Most owners begin with the month-end close service for manufacturers & wholesalers and add controller review when financing or growth demands it.
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