Accounting director vs division controller

The differences between accounting directors and division 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 division controller. Additionally, an accounting director has an average salary of $132,126, which is higher than the $110,117 average annual salary of a division controller.

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

Accounting director vs division controller overview

	Accounting Director	Division Controller
Yearly salary	$132,126	$110,117
Hourly rate	$63.52	$52.94
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	56,323	41,679
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 78%
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 division controller do?

A division controller is typically in charge of overseeing a company division's financial activities and human resources operations. Their role is to set objectives and guidelines, perform audits and assessments, evaluate the workforce performance, handle budgets and timelines, and develop strategies to optimize processes. They must monitor the progress of activities and projects, producing regular reports and presentations to keep the executives informed. Furthermore, as a division controller, it is essential to lead staff and implement the company's policies and regulations.

Accounting director vs division controller salary

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

	Accounting Director	Division Controller
Average salary	$132,126	$110,117
Salary range	Between $89,000 And $193,000	Between $76,000 And $158,000
Highest paying City	Cambridge, MA	Concord, CA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Illinois
Best paying company	Yuma Regional Medical Center	KLA
Best paying industry	Technology	Construction

Differences between accounting director and division controller education

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

	Accounting Director	Division Controller
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common major	Accounting	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Accounting director vs division controller demographics

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

	Accounting Director	Division Controller
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 52.0% Female, 48.0%	Male, 77.8% Female, 22.2%
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, 8.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 8.5% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between accounting director and division 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.

Division controller example responsibilities.

Develop long-term financial/ operational strategy for high-tech company as well as managed accounting, finance, and treasury operations.
Provide and interpret monthly portfolio financial results ensuring proper GAAP treatment of accounting transactions.
Review monthly balance sheet reconciliations to general ledger, sub-ledgers and independent supporting documentation.
Identify over $400K in book gain previously unrecognize by outside CPA firm during annual audit.
Plan and develop proper procedures to have an accurate and smooth physical count acceptable to hire CPA firm.
Implement new ERP accounting systems, providing ability to fully job-cost by job/location/salesperson.

Accounting director vs division controller skills

Common accounting director skills

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

Common division controller skills

GAAP, 6%
Internal Controls, 6%
CPA, 6%
Payroll, 5%
Financial Analysis, 4%
Oversight, 4%

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Accounting Director
Accounting Director vs Division Controller

Updated January 8, 2025

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