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Accounting manager/controller vs accounting analyst

The differences between accounting managers/controller and accounting analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an accounting manager/controller and an accounting analyst. Additionally, an accounting manager/controller has an average salary of $93,973, which is higher than the $58,399 average annual salary of an accounting analyst.

The top three skills for an accounting manager/controller include reconciliations, CPA and internal controls. The most important skills for an accounting analyst are reconciliations, customer service, and account reconciliations.

Accounting manager/controller vs accounting analyst overview

Accounting Manager/ControllerAccounting Analyst
Yearly salary$93,973$58,399
Hourly rate$45.18$28.08
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs58,29281,097
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does an accounting manager/controller do?

An accounting manager/controller is responsible for spearheading and overseeing the daily operations in a company's accounting department. They monitor the company's budgets, including its costs and expenditures, and produce financial reports. It is also their duty to establish objectives and guidelines, manage accounting staff, monitor financial activities, review and assess financial statements, approve expenditures, and resolve issues promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as an accounting manager/controller, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does an accounting analyst do?

An accounting analyst is responsible for supporting the accounting operations of an organization, analyzing financial transactions and financial statements, and resolving account discrepancies. Accounting analysts interpret financial data by consolidating account transactions, performing account reconciliation, and managing account receivables. They also assist in preparing and releasing invoices, issuing billing statements, and creating comprehensive financial reports on the company's budget and expenses. An accounting analyst must have excellent knowledge of the accounting principles and disciplines, as well as extensive analytical and communication skills to perform duties and meet deadlines under minimal supervision.

Accounting manager/controller vs accounting analyst salary

Accounting managers/controller and accounting analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Accounting Manager/ControllerAccounting Analyst
Average salary$93,973$58,399
Salary rangeBetween $66,000 And $133,000Between $42,000 And $79,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, NYSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyAmazonGoogle
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between accounting manager/controller and accounting analyst education

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

Accounting Manager/ControllerAccounting Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorAccountingAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Accounting manager/controller vs accounting analyst demographics

Here are the differences between accounting managers/controller' and accounting analysts' demographics:

Accounting Manager/ControllerAccounting Analyst
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 48.4% Female, 51.6%Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 12.1% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.3% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between accounting manager/controller and accounting analyst duties and responsibilities

Accounting manager/controller example 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.
  • Mentore, motivate and train the finance staff in their areas of the department and QuickBooks.
  • Correct the ERP system to properly reflect accurate costing of inventory and proper reflection of costs.
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Accounting analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage and process all ACH, EFT and wire transfer transactions daily (debit or credits).
  • Manage reconciling monthly discrepancies between ERP transfers.
  • Manage budget submissions by subsidiaries in Europe/AFNE region in Hyperion.
  • Establish investment objectives to efficiently manage IPO proceeds within state risk parameters.
  • Maintain accounting controls by following GAAP and internal accounting policies; maintain financial security by following internal controls.
  • Review and approve monthly general ledger and bank account reconciliations for special condition accounts to ensure procedural consistency and compliance.
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Accounting manager/controller vs accounting analyst skills

Common accounting manager/controller skills
  • Reconciliations, 7%
  • CPA, 7%
  • Internal Controls, 6%
  • GAAP, 5%
  • Cash Management, 5%
  • Payroll Taxes, 5%
Common accounting analyst skills
  • Reconciliations, 12%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Account Reconciliations, 6%
  • GAAP, 5%
  • Strong Analytical, 4%
  • Payroll, 4%

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