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.
Accounting manager/controller responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real accounting manager/controller resumes:
- 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.
- Prepare all quarterly and year end payroll reports for CPA (includes merging multiple entities into one).
- Perform all accounting functions including A/R, A/P, forecasting, monthly reporting for a portfolio of office properties.
- Oversee general accounting functions, including A/R, A/P, general ledger, balance sheet account reconciliation, and payroll.
- Evaluate company overall operation controls, risk management, ISO 9000 and SOX procedures, and implement effective internal control procedures.
- Assisted/Facilitate the local management team in transition to integrate ERP system, and later in a significant update to that system.
- Work in general accounting and treasury operations.
- Implement an accrual computerize accounting system utilizing QuickBooks.
- Spearhead the development and implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley compliant internal control environment.
- Provide GAAP accounting advice on complex transactions for derivatives and financial instruments denominate in foreign currencies.
Accounting manager/controller skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Accounting Managers/Controller are proficient in Reconciliations, CPA, and Internal Controls. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Accounting Managers/Controller that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Reconciliations, 7%
Performed AR reconciliations for 7 locations, maintained fixed asset schedules, assisted in performing inventory and general ledger account analysis.
- CPA, 7%
Managed all internal/external information for CPA firm including P&L and Balance Sheet and Cash Flow forecast.
- Internal Controls, 6%
Developed an accounting manual including checklists, forms and internal controls and procedures to produce timely and accurate monthly financial statements
- GAAP, 5%
Prepared all financial statements monthly according to GAAP standards and analyzed variances to provide explanations to senior management.
- Cash Management, 5%
Supervised completion of monthly statistical and financial reports including the preparation and monitoring of departmental budgets, forecasting and cash management.
- Payroll Taxes, 5%
Prepared city business taxes, quarterly and yearly payroll taxes and participated in audits by outside sources.
Most accounting managers/controller use their skills in "reconciliations," "cpa," and "internal controls" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential accounting manager/controller responsibilities here:
Communication skills. Many accounting manager/controller duties rely on communication skills. "accountants and auditors must be able to listen to and discuss facts and concerns from clients, managers, and other stakeholders," so an accounting manager/controller will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways accounting manager/controller responsibilities rely on communication skills: "led regional financial management of 10 us divisions across corporate communications, entertainment marketing, artist management and fairs & festivals. "
Detail oriented. accounting managers/controller are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to accounting manager/controller responsibilities, because "accountants and auditors must pay attention to detail when compiling and examining documents." An accounting manager/controller resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "worked with corporate accountant at year end to provide proper documentation and detail of accounts for closing and financial reports. "
Math skills. accounting manager/controller responsibilities often require "math skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "accountants and auditors must be able to analyze, compare, and interpret facts and figures." This resume example shows what accounting managers/controller do with math skills on a typical day: "prepared monthly financial reports, analyzed financial statistics and trends, provided recommendations to senior management and program managers. "
Organizational skills. Another common skill required for accounting manager/controller responsibilities is "organizational skills." This skill comes up in the duties of accounting managers/controller all the time, as "strong organizational skills are important for accountants and auditors, who often work with a range of financial documents for a variety of clients." An excerpt from a real accounting manager/controller resume shows how this skill is central to what an accounting manager/controller does: "implemented positivepay on all organizational bank accounts as a fraud-reduction tool. "
The three companies that hire the most accounting manager/controllers are:
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Compare different accounting managers/controller
Accounting manager/controller vs. 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. A manager of finance accounting must also maintain accurate financial records, identify any errors or inconsistencies, and perform support tasks for staff when necessary. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the team, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between accounting managers/controller and manager/finance accounting. For instance, accounting manager/controller responsibilities require skills such as "payroll taxes," "journal entries," "oversight," and "a/p." Whereas a manager/finance accounting is skilled in "customer service," "due diligence," "hr," and "shared services." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Managers/finance accounting earn the highest salaries when working in the government industry, with an average yearly salary of $92,198. On the other hand, accounting managers/controller are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $89,839.The education levels that managers/finance accounting earn slightly differ from accounting managers/controller. In particular, managers/finance accounting are 4.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an accounting manager/controller. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Accounting manager/controller vs. 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. Furthermore, like a general ledger accountant, it is essential to monitor the progress of accounting processes, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real accounting manager/controller resumes. While accounting manager/controller responsibilities can utilize skills like "payroll taxes," "journal entries," "oversight," and "account reconciliations," general ledger accountants use skills like "payroll," "accruals," "strong analytical," and "asset system."
General ledger accountants earn a lower average salary than accounting managers/controller. But general ledger accountants earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $68,134. Additionally, accounting managers/controller earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $89,839 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. General ledger accountants tend to reach similar levels of education than accounting managers/controller. In fact, they're 2.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for accounting manager/controllers in the next 3-5 years?
Earl Godfrey
Professor of Accounting, Gardner-Webb University
Accounting manager/controller vs. Senior finance consultant
A senior finance consultant is responsible for helping clients manage their account portfolios, recommending investment options, and monitoring their finances. Senior finance consultants should have extensive knowledge of the financial industry, especially on working with clients and inform them of current financial services and strategize financial plans according to the clients' needs and best interests. They also respond to clients' inquiries and concerns regarding their account performance and financial discrepancies, resolving issues to achieve the clients' long-term financial goals and objectives.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an accounting manager/controller is likely to be skilled in "cpa," "payroll taxes," "general ledger accounts," and "balance sheet accounts," while a typical senior finance consultant is skilled in "project management," "financial services," "strong analytical," and "shared services."
Senior finance consultants make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $100,438. On the other hand, accounting managers/controller are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $89,839.When it comes to education, senior finance consultants tend to earn higher degree levels compared to accounting managers/controller. In fact, they're 8.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Accounting manager/controller vs. Senior cost accountant
A senior cost accountant is an individual who maintains detailed costs in a company's system and provides cost analysis that supports operations and sales. Senior cost accountants are required to review inventory and deal with manufacturing personnel to control and analyze standard costs. They must record cost information to be used in controlling expenditures as well as recommend cost efficiencies in new product layouts. Senior cost accountants must also provide reports that specify and compare factors affecting prices and profitability of products or services to the management.
Types of accounting manager/controller
Updated January 8, 2025
