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The differences between accounting managers/controller and key account managers 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 key account manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a key account manager has an average salary of $102,315, 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 key account manager are account management, customer service, and patients.
| Accounting Manager/Controller | Key Account Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $93,973 | $102,315 |
| Hourly rate | $45.18 | $49.19 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 58,292 | 160,992 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 44 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 8 |
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.
A key account manager is primarily in charge of handling key clients that produce the most profit for a company or business, ensuring that they remain with them. They are mainly responsible for understanding their clients' needs and long-term goals, ensuring that the key clients get to receive all the necessary services and products in time, and promptly address and resolve any issues and concerns. Furthermore, a key account manager may prepare reports and proposals to team members, all while adhering to the company's policies and standards.
Accounting managers/controller and key account managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Accounting Manager/Controller | Key Account Manager | |
| Average salary | $93,973 | $102,315 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $133,000 | Between $75,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | Albany, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Maine |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Quidel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between an accounting manager/controller and a key account manager in terms of educational background:
| Accounting Manager/Controller | Key Account Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between accounting managers/controller' and key account managers' demographics:
| Accounting Manager/Controller | Key Account Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.4% Female, 51.6% | Male, 68.1% Female, 31.9% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |