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What is an accounting manager/controller and how to become one
An accounting manager may work in a certified public accountant (CPA) firm, financial institution, or other company. Accounting managers supervise accounting departments, handle their daily operations, prepare reports for company leads, and develop standards and processes for proper financial management. Their work is essential for maintaining the financial wellness and integrity of an organization.
According to Indeed Salaries, an accounting manager earns an average base salary of $79,936 per year. Typically, the position is held for a tenure of two to four years.
A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field is a minimum requirement. For more advanced positions, they may require a master's degree or higher and at least two to five years of work experience in a managerial or supervisory capacity. Employers may also want the accounting manager to have a valid CPA license, depending on the business's needs.
What general advice would you give to an accounting manager/controller?
Marty LaBarge
Associate Professor of Accounting, Hope College
Avg. Salary $93,973
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 6%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.46%
Asian 12.14%
Black or African American 8.74%
Hispanic or Latino 11.08%
Unknown 3.97%
White 63.61%
Genderfemale 51.62%
male 48.38%
Age - 43American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 43Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Accounting manager/controller career paths
Key steps to become an accounting manager/controller
Explore accounting manager/controller education requirements
Start to develop specific accounting manager/controller skills
Skills Percentages Reconciliations 7.45% CPA 6.59% Internal Controls 6.19% GAAP 5.40% Cash Management 4.87% Complete relevant accounting manager/controller training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New accounting managers/controller learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an accounting manager/controller based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real accounting manager/controller resumes.Gain additional accounting manager/controller certifications
More About CertificationsAccounting manager/controller certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific accounting manager/controller certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for accounting managers/controller include Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Research accounting manager/controller duties and responsibilities
- Establish investment objectives to efficiently manage IPO proceeds within state risk parameters.
- Prepare and provide information as needed to independent auditors and outside CPA for tax compliance; coordinate activities of external auditors.
- Perform treasury and cash management responsibilities.
- Standardize balancing methods for semi-weekly payroll and quarterly payroll tax returns gaining consistency among four banks.
Prepare your accounting manager/controller resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your accounting manager/controller resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an accounting manager/controller resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable accounting manager/controller resume templates
Build a professional accounting manager/controller resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your accounting manager/controller resume.
Apply for accounting manager/controller jobs
Now it's time to start searching for an accounting manager/controller job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first accounting manager/controller job
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Average accounting manager/controller salary
The average accounting manager/controller salary in the United States is $93,973 per year or $45 per hour. Accounting manager/controller salaries range between $66,000 and $133,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do accounting managers/controller rate their job?
Accounting manager/controller reviews
all finance transactions preparing finance reporting and presenting the yearly report to the managers
Business owners that do not know or understand compliance and GAAP, or the patience to follow the rules... generally common in small companies.
Getting a whole picture look instead of a just a snippet of what my current task is
Still more to learn
Updated January 8, 2025
