How to hire an accounting manager/controller

How to hire an accounting manager/controller, step by step

Here's a step-by-step accounting manager/controller hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an accounting manager/controller job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new accounting manager/controller
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an accounting manager/controller do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an accounting manager/controller, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An accounting manager/controller's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, accounting managers/controller from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of accounting managers/controller and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Accounting Manager/Controller	Description	Hourly rate
   Accounting Manager/Controller	Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records. They ensure that financial records are accurate and that taxes are paid properly and on time... Show more	$31-63
   Manager/Finance Accounting	A manager of finance accounting's role is to oversee the financial activities in a company or organization. Their responsibilities revolve around coordinating with other departments to gather financial data, analyze the revenues and expenditures, and develop written reports and presentations... Show more	$31-61
   General Ledger Accountant	A general ledger accountant is in charge of ensuring the accuracy of a company's overall accounting processes and information. It is their responsibility to communicate with different departments and officials to gather necessary data, conduct extensive audits, prepare documentation and reports, maintain financial data on the company ledger, and interpret financial information... Show more	$22-36

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Reconciliations
   • CPA
   • Internal Controls
   • GAAP
   • Cash Management
   • Payroll Taxes
   • External Auditors
   • General Ledger Accounts
   • Journal Entries
   • Financial Reports
   • SOX
   • Balance Sheet Accounts
   • Oversight
   • Cash Flow

   Check all skills

   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.

   More accounting manager/controller duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your accounting manager/controller job description helps attract top candidates to the position. An accounting manager/controller salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for an accounting manager/controller in Kansas may be lower than in New York, and an entry-level accounting manager/controller usually earns less than a senior-level accounting manager/controller. Additionally, an accounting manager/controller with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average accounting manager/controller salary

   $93,973yearly

   $45.18 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level accounting manager/controller salary

   $66,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average accounting manager/controller salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$121,681	$59
   2	California	$119,406	$57
   3	Massachusetts	$108,978	$52
   4	Texas	$106,369	$51
   5	Virginia	$102,435	$49
   6	Washington	$95,794	$46
   7	Maryland	$92,997	$45
   8	Georgia	$90,846	$44
   9	Illinois	$90,060	$43
   10	Florida	$90,032	$43
   11	Pennsylvania	$89,864	$43
   12	Arizona	$86,917	$42
   13	North Carolina	$85,746	$41
   14	Michigan	$85,628	$41
   15	Wisconsin	$84,722	$41
   16	South Carolina	$84,716	$41
   17	Alabama	$80,695	$39
   18	Colorado	$79,281	$38
   19	Utah	$74,926	$36
   20	Tennessee	$74,696	$36

   Average accounting manager/controller salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Amazon	$100,955	$48.54	19
   2	U.S. Venture	$99,248	$47.72
   3	Estée Lauder	$99,213	$47.70	5
   4	General Motors	$98,841	$47.52	3
   5	Vontobel	$98,245	$47.23
   6	Brookfield Properties	$97,957	$47.09
   7	DICK'S Sporting Goods	$97,342	$46.80
   8	NetImpact Strategies	$96,138	$46.22
   9	Liberty Mutual Insurance	$95,318	$45.83
   10	Tenet Healthcare	$94,835	$45.59	14
   11	Deloitte	$94,214	$45.30	70
   12	Chrysalis	$91,817	$44.14	2
   13	Cleco	$90,882	$43.69	2
   14	Columbia River Mental Health Services	$90,644	$43.58
   15	Firefighters First Credit Union	$90,510	$43.51
   16	Randstad North America, Inc.	$90,309	$43.42	42
   17	LifePoint Health	$89,255	$42.91	9
   18	Juniper	$88,338	$42.47
   19	Federal Reserve Bank	$87,554	$42.09
   20	Northpoint	$87,405	$42.02	9

4. Writing an accounting manager/controller job description

   A good accounting manager/controller job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an accounting manager/controller job description:

   Accounting manager/controller job description example

   The Fund Controller, Accounting (Private) is responsible for the overall quality of the accounting, information supporting the financial reporting, maintenance of individual partners' capital, and investment schedules, performance measurement and preparation of management reports, including cash flow forecasting and other analysis, for their assigned funds and underlying assets.
   
   Essential FunctionsReviews full-cycle accounting of assigned portfolio of fund(s), co-investments, investments including preparation and analysis of the financial statements, general ledgers, subsidiary ledgers, budgets, cash flow projections and review of job cost reports.Applies knowledge of accounting and tax issues to determine impact on operations and cash flows in preparing asset and fund level models. Update and analyze results at least quarterly for internal monitoring and external track records. Prepare and/or review fund, co-investment, and investment level financial statements to meet lender reporting requirements and work with Financial Reporting to assist in the preparation or review of financial statements to meet investor requirements.Works closely with Financial Reporting and Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) to prepare and aggregate fund and investment cash flow projections and analysis by applying corporate finance concepts, including cost of capital and time value of money.Preparation, review and presentation of internal financial reporting and analysis, including asset management reports. Includes updating actual results, variance analysis for budget/underwriting to results, including investigation and comments, and documents the differences between results and budget/underwriting, and cash flow analysis.Analysis of fund and investment operations; accurately applies distribution allocations to calculate incentive allocations and performance returns applying knowledge of legal agreements and fund structure, including complex co-invest and joint venture structures, and fund and property level debt agreements. Coordinate with Financial Reporting with respect to fulfilling ongoing and ad hoc requests from investors for financial information. Assist the appraisal team regarding the investment level appraisals, including review of inputs, qualitative aspects and resulting fair value adjustments.Prepare and/or review contribution and distribution calculations, summaries and notices as needed for funds, co-investments and joint ventures. Prepare and/or review waterfall calculations as needed for funds, co-investments and joint ventures. Provide information for and take part in Q&A for audits, tax preparation and appraisals. Work with internal and external parties to ensure the accuracy of the data gathered and the accuracy of the output from that data.
   
   Non Essential Functions:Operate standard office equipment Work remotely, nights and weekends as needed and with short notice (for time sensitive requests).Work as a part of a sub-group within private fund accounting, that is complementary to operational groups, performing duties related to quarterly accounting closes and reporting, and technical memo preparation, as necessary.
   
   Supervisory Responsibilities: Responsible for overseeing the work assignments of subordinates, communicating performance expectations and providing performance feedback.
   
   Education / Experience Requirements: (including certifications, licenses, etc.) Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance or Related Field5+ years' previous accounting or finance experience Real estate, private equity, and/or alternative investments experience, particularly fair value fund and/or partnership accounting. Expertise in the various investment asset classes, including real estate sub-classes, infrastructure and/or debt as well as the management, development, accounting and reporting processes. Big 4 or other Public Accounting Experience (optional). Fund Administration Experience (preferred). CPA (preferred) MBA, CFA or additional designation a plus Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and WordExtensive knowledge of GAAP accounting Experience in Yardi, MRI, J. D. Edwards or comparable software Experience with Yardi, Yardi forecasting or ARGUS preferred
   
   Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to organize, perform and prioritize various functions to meet deadlines with minimal supervision.Effective communication skills, both written and oral, and strong attention to detail.Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate well verbally and in writing.Strong analytical skills and detail-oriented.Ability to make sound decisions.Deadline driven and ability to manage multiple tasks.Ability to work independently and to proactively evaluate and address work opportunities within the area of responsibility.Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out instructions.Ability to solve practical problems.
   
   Performance MetricsAccuracy in work product.Timeliness in completion of work product.Presentation ability (verbal and deliverables).
   #LI-BL1
   
   CIM does not accept unsolicited resumes from Agencies. Any unsolicited resumes received from Agencies will be considered property of CIM and no fees will be due or paid. If you wish to become an approved Agency with CIM or any of its Affiliates, please contact a member of the CIM Talent Acquisition Team.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find accounting managers/controller for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your accounting manager/controller job on Zippia to find and attract quality accounting manager/controller candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as efinancialcareers, financialjobsweb.com, careerbank, financial job bank.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with accounting manager/controller candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new accounting manager/controller

   Once you have selected a candidate for the accounting manager/controller position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new accounting manager/controller. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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