How do you become an assistant controller?

To become an assistant controller, you need at least a bachelor's degree and public accounting experience. It takes 5 to 7 years in accounting to prepare someone for this leadership role.

How much do assistant controllers make in NYC?

Assistant controllers in NYC make $180,000 annually. The base salary is $160,000, but additional bonuses and compensation amount to $20,000. This role may also be called 'assistant comptroller.'

How To Become An Assistant Controller: What It Is and Career Path

What is an assistant controller and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Brian Meehan

Assistant controllers assist in the work of the controller in finance departments or accounting. They implement internal financial and accounting controls and prepare financial statements.

As an assistant controller, you will develop and evaluate budgets, reconcile accounts in case of any discrepancies, support the accounting department in any possible way, and assist in audits. You will make sure accounting processes comply with company standards and regulations and prepare reports about any occurring compliance issue.

You should have a degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field if you decide to go for this position. You will have better chances if you have worked in finance before or if you have experience as an accountant, and you should probably obtain a certification in the field.

What general advice would you give to an assistant controller?

Brian Meehan

Assistant Professor of Economics, Campbell School of Business, Berry College

My advice would be to apply broadly for jobs and take advantage of the robust set of career opportunities a degree in economics provides. It also gives you a better gauge of the opportunity cost (next best alternative) of accepting a job. Try to determine what that best alternative is. Additional training can also be a good option. Those individuals interested in graduate schools, professional schools, law schools, MBAs, etc. should look into these opportunities. Improving your human capital stock (via training and education), while weathering a recession, and then capitalizing on a healthier job market at the end of this training, is a pretty good route (assuming the recession is short).

ScoreAssistant ControllerUS Average

Salary

7.1

Avg. Salary $91,447

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.8

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.34%

Asian 9.08%

Black or African American 7.69%

Hispanic or Latino 14.77%

Unknown 4.11%

White 64.01%

Gender

female 50.18%

male 49.82%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress level

7.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an assistant controller

Explore assistant controller education requirements

Most common assistant controller degrees

Bachelor's

76.1 %

Master's

12.5 %

Associate

8.8 %

Start to develop specific assistant controller skills

Skills	Percentages
Reconciliations	8.99%
CPA	7.96%
GAAP	7.15%
Internal Controls	5.04%
Payroll Processing	5.02%

Research assistant controller duties and responsibilities

Lead divisional capital management through ROI analysis on new products and other capital investments to maximize returns.
Facilitate the implementation of ERP system, which increase productivity in efficiently and effectively manage the functionality of the organization.
Initiate ongoing departmental projects to automate daily tasks which include the calculations for income distributions and the daily income account reconciliation.
Maintain timely and accurate general ledger account reconciliations, oversee treasury management, and handle fixed asset tracking and reporting.

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