What are the qualifications of a controller?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

The qualifications of a controller are typically a bachelor's degree and five years or more of experience in another business or financial occupation, as well as being competent in handling payroll and accounting-related tasks.

A bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or business administration is often the minimum education needed. However, many employers now seek candidates with a master's degree, preferably in business administration, finance, or economics. Additionally, most employers ask for relevant work experience, usually five years or more, in a related financial occupation like a loan officer, accountant, or financial analyst. In some cases, companies may provide formal management training programs to prepare highly motivated and skilled financial workers for this occupation.

Furthermore, though professional certifications are not required, controllers typically earn a few certificates to boost their expertise and credibility. For example, the CFA Institute confers the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification to investment professionals who have at least a bachelor's degree, four years of work experience, and pass three exams.

Overall, because this is a managerial, top-level executive kind of position, it requires years of experience in the field.