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Accounting manager/controller vs finance controller

The differences between accounting managers/controller and finance 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 finance controller takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a finance controller has an average salary of $105,869, 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 finance controller are CPA, payroll, and financial controller.

Accounting manager/controller vs finance controller overview

Accounting Manager/ControllerFinance Controller
Yearly salary$93,973$105,869
Hourly rate$45.18$50.90
Growth rate6%17%
Number of jobs58,29297,342
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
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 finance controller do?

A financial controller is primarily in charge of the daily finance activities and accounting functions of a company. Their responsibilities typically revolve around preparing and organizing financial reports, analyzing data and looking out for any discrepancies or inconsistencies, and overseeing the company's overall revenues and expenditures. A financial controller must also maintain documentation, participate in risk assessment and budgeting activities, and develop strategies for profit growth. Furthermore, one must coordinate with other department staff to ensure accuracy, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Accounting manager/controller vs finance controller salary

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

Accounting Manager/ControllerFinance Controller
Average salary$93,973$105,869
Salary rangeBetween $66,000 And $133,000Between $71,000 And $156,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, NYYonkers, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyAmazonSage Memorial Hospital
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between accounting manager/controller and finance controller education

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

Accounting Manager/ControllerFinance Controller
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorAccountingAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Accounting manager/controller vs finance controller demographics

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

Accounting Manager/ControllerFinance Controller
Average age4446
Gender ratioMale, 48.4% Female, 51.6%Male, 61.5% Female, 38.5%
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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 10.2% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage7%11%

Differences between accounting manager/controller and finance 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.
  • Show more

Finance controller example responsibilities.

  • Lead the implementation of a fully integrate ERP system resulting in increase financial integrity.
  • Supervise a staff of seven in the areas of A/P, A/R, G/L, financial reporting and payroll.
  • Coordinate annual financial audit with external CPA firm and implement internal controls to satisfy recommendations from auditors.
  • Develop and implement procedures with internal controls for all financial and operational processes to ensure GAAP compliance.
  • Prepare all accounts for the month-end closing process and additionally gather information for daily/monthly reconciliations and journal entries.
  • Work with outside CPA on year-end tax planning; ensure the timely filing and payment of corporate taxes.
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Accounting manager/controller vs finance controller skills

Common accounting manager/controller skills
  • Reconciliations, 7%
  • CPA, 7%
  • Internal Controls, 6%
  • GAAP, 5%
  • Cash Management, 5%
  • Payroll Taxes, 5%
Common finance controller skills
  • CPA, 7%
  • Payroll, 7%
  • Financial Controller, 7%
  • GAAP, 5%
  • General Ledger, 5%
  • Internal Controls, 5%

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