Here is a clear 30 – 60 – 90 day plan for new Controllers at PlotPath. Use it to ramp fast, deliver clean books on time, and publish decision ready reports clients can trust.
What success looks like
- Clean and complete books. Reconciled, documented, and tied to source systems.
- Short written briefs. Numbers with a story, risks called out, and next actions owned.
- Reliable cadence. Close dates met, SLAs hit, and forecast updated on schedule.
- Better systems each week. Checklists that remove guesswork and reduce rework.
Your 30 60 90 day plan
The plan focuses on four tracks: Books, Reporting, Forecast, and Systems. Each period lists a primary goal, key actions, quality checks, and metrics to watch.
Days 0 to 30: Learn the clients and lock the base
Primary goal: Gain full ledger context and deliver one close with zero surprises.
Key actions
- Complete access and security setup for QBO, banks, payroll, bill pay, and dashboards.
- Map the chart of accounts and subledgers. Note legacy quirks to unwind.
- Run a full reconciliation cycle on cash, cards, AP, AR, payroll, and any inventory.
- Document the close checklist. List owners and definitions of done for each step.
- Publish the first Controller Report. Include a one page Decision Brief.
Quality checks
- All balance sheet accounts reconcile to source statements.
- Open items are logged with owners and due dates.
- Assumptions are written and visible in the file.
Metrics
- Close completed by target date.
- Zero material variances without an explanation and action.
- Client questions answered within SLA.
Days 31 to 60: Improve reporting and start the rolling forecast
Primary goal: Move from clean history to forward visibility.
Key actions
- Standardize monthly reporting into a one screen view with links to detail.
- Instrument variance analysis. Tag drivers, owners, and root causes.
- Build the 13 week cash model. Confirm data pulls and update rhythm.
- Draft a 12 month rolling P and L with simple drivers for revenue and COGS.
- Eliminate one recurring manual step by adding a checklist or automation.
Quality checks
- Report ties from summary to GL and to subledgers.
- Forecast inputs are versioned and dated. No hidden cells.
- Decision Brief leads to an action in the next seven days.
Metrics
- Forecast accuracy within agreed tolerance for the next month.
- Cycle time on month end reduced from the prior close.
- At least one process improvement shipped.
Days 61 to 90: Drive decisions and scale quality
Primary goal: Install steady cadence and lift the quality bar for the team and the client.
Key actions
- Publish a three part monthly packet: Controller Report, Forecast Update, and Risks Log.
- Lead a short written review. Confirm owners, due dates, and expected impacts.
- Harden controls. Maker checker reviews, payment approvals, filing calendar checks.
- Install a quarterly close prep list. Reduce audit scramble later.
- Create or improve a reusable template that other Controllers can adopt.
Quality checks
- All reconciliations are reproducible by a teammate without asking you how.
- Control exceptions are logged and resolved quickly.
- Templates include usage notes and example data.
Metrics
- Close on time for two cycles in a row.
- Forecast accuracy improves month over month.
- Two or more system improvements adopted by the team.
Your toolkit
- QuickBooks Online. GL, bank feeds, and subledger ties.
- PlotPath dashboards. Close status, KPIs, and forecast tracking.
- Bill pay and payroll apps. Clean syncs and maker checker controls.
- Docs and checklists. Repeatable steps with owners and definitions of done.
- Async communication. Written first. Short live huddles when a decision needs alignment.
The weekly rhythm
- Monday. Reconciliation sprint and risks scan.
- Tuesday. Variance analysis and notes to owners.
- Wednesday. Forecast refresh and cash review.
- Thursday. SOP tune up and teammate reviews.
- Friday. Controller Report draft and Decision Brief ready.
Printable checklist
- All access granted and security confirmed.
- Close checklist created and stored in the client folder.
- Bank, card, AP, AR, payroll reconciled for the latest month.
- One screen monthly report shared with links to detail.
- 13 week cash model and 12 month P and L in place.
- Decision Brief delivered with clear owners and dates.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Unwritten assumptions. Put them in the file or the report.
- Hidden clean up work. Log it, estimate impact, and schedule it.
- Overbuilt models. Keep inputs simple and traceable.
- Late decisions. Ask for a small live huddle when written alignment stalls.
FAQ
Is the role fully remote? Yes. We design for remote first and async friendly work across U.S. time zones.
How are Controllers measured? Close on time, accuracy, clarity of reporting, forecast quality, and steady process improvement.
What industries do we support? Mostly service and software businesses where unit economics and cash discipline matter.
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