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Accounting manager/controller vs division controller

The differences between accounting managers/controller and division controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an accounting manager/controller, becoming a division controller takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a division controller has an average salary of $110,117, which is higher than the $93,973 average annual salary of an accounting manager/controller.

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

Accounting manager/controller vs division controller overview

Accounting Manager/ControllerDivision Controller
Yearly salary$93,973$110,117
Hourly rate$45.18$52.94
Growth rate6%17%
Number of jobs58,29241,679
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age4446
Years of experience48

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 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 manager/controller vs division controller salary

Accounting managers/controller and division controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Accounting Manager/ControllerDivision Controller
Average salary$93,973$110,117
Salary rangeBetween $66,000 And $133,000Between $76,000 And $158,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, NYConcord, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkIllinois
Best paying companyAmazonKLA
Best paying industryTechnologyConstruction

Differences between accounting manager/controller and division controller education

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

Accounting Manager/ControllerDivision Controller
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common majorAccountingAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Accounting manager/controller vs division controller demographics

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

Accounting Manager/ControllerDivision Controller
Average age4446
Gender ratioMale, 48.4% Female, 51.6%Male, 77.8% Female, 22.2%
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, 8.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 8.5% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage7%11%

Differences between accounting manager/controller and division controller 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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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.
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Accounting manager/controller vs division controller skills

Common accounting manager/controller skills
  • Reconciliations, 7%
  • CPA, 7%
  • Internal Controls, 6%
  • GAAP, 5%
  • Cash Management, 5%
  • Payroll Taxes, 5%
Common division controller skills
  • GAAP, 6%
  • Internal Controls, 6%
  • CPA, 6%
  • Payroll, 5%
  • Financial Analysis, 4%
  • Oversight, 4%

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