Accounting director vs controller

The differences between accounting directors and controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both an accounting director and a controller. Additionally, an accounting director has an average salary of $132,126, which is higher than the $101,204 average annual salary of a controller.

The top three skills for an accounting director include CPA, GAAP and internal controls. The most important skills for a controller are CPA, payroll processing, and reconciliations.

Accounting director vs controller overview

	Accounting Director	Controller
Yearly salary	$132,126	$101,204
Hourly rate	$63.52	$48.66
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	56,323	75,440
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	8	8

What does an accounting director do?

An Accounting Director supervises the general accounting and financial reporting functions, as well as financial services within a company or organization. They also ensure that all transactions and financial policies for their organization meet federal regulations and standards.

What does a controller do?

Controllers are employees in the accounting department who manage the finances of the organization. They are involved in the budget setting activity at the start of the company's fiscal year. Controllers are responsible for ensuring that all departments work within their respective budgets. They have the power to recommend budget cuts due to any unforeseen circumstances that may happen. They also have the ability to veto or forego budget items. Controllers should have accounting skills and auditing skills. They must also be trustworthy and should work with integrity.

Accounting director vs controller salary

Accounting directors and controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Accounting Director	Controller
Average salary	$132,126	$101,204
Salary range	Between $89,000 And $193,000	Between $70,000 And $144,000
Highest paying City	Cambridge, MA	Portland, ME
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	New York
Best paying company	Yuma Regional Medical Center	Perkins Coie
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between accounting director and controller education

There are a few differences between an accounting director and a controller in terms of educational background:

	Accounting Director	Controller
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common major	Accounting	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Accounting director vs controller demographics

Here are the differences between accounting directors' and controllers' demographics:

	Accounting Director	Controller
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 52.0% Female, 48.0%	Male, 58.9% Female, 41.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 8.6% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 9.4% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between accounting director and controller duties and responsibilities

Accounting director example responsibilities.

Manage and coordinate ACH preparation, positive pay and execution activities.
Manage and review annual preparation of work papers for CPA firm to coordinate federal returns and state franchise returns.
Manage daily receipts, payment reversals, adjustments, ACH and wire payments, and other accounts receivable activity.
Lead finance team in major ERP implementation project in the areas of inventory, accounts payable, and general ledger.
Lead the effort to establish accounting policy, streamline operating procedures and implement Sarbanes-Oxley compliance processes.
Manage foundation accounting and establish internal accounting controls and accounting procedures to ensure contributions are accounted for in accordance with GAAP.

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Controller example responsibilities.

Manage NAV production, calculation of performance fees, IFRS accounts and subscription/redemption analysis.
Lead transition of company from sole proprietor to NYSE list company subsidiary, including implementing new financial reporting system.
Manage a team of junior staff accountants and maintaining quality control throughout the entire monthly billing, A/P & A/R processes.
Manage treasury, open several new accounts, establish new procedures and controls, monitor daily activity.
Produce monthly account reconciliations, post monthly journal entries and review, analyze, correct and issue monthly comparative financial statements.
Perform accounting research and special projects as required including cash flow analysis, cost projections, reconciliations and other financial analysis.

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Accounting director vs controller skills

Common accounting director skills

CPA, 10%
GAAP, 9%
Internal Controls, 7%
Reconciliations, 5%
External Auditors, 5%
Payroll, 5%

Common controller skills

CPA, 8%
Payroll Processing, 7%
Reconciliations, 6%
Cash Management, 5%
Internal Controls, 5%
GAAP, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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