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Job outlook for assistant controllers in the United States
Assistant controller job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected assistant controller job growth rate is 17% from 2018-2028.
About 123,100 new jobs for assistant controllers are projected over the next decade.
Assistant controller salaries have increased 10% for assistant controllers in the last 5 years.
There are over 305,858 assistant controllers currently employed in the United States.
There are 58,643 active assistant controller job openings in the US.
The average assistant controller salary is $91,447.
Are assistant controller jobs in demand?
Assistant controller job and salary trends over time
Assistant controller jobs over time
Assistant controller job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 305,858 | 0.09% |
| 2020 | 294,264 | 0.09% |
| 2019 | 295,295 | 0.09% |
| 2018 | 280,952 | 0.08% |
| 2017 | 268,886 | 0.08% |
Average assistant controller salary over time
Assistant controller salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $91,447 | $43.97 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $88,523 | $42.56 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $87,229 | $41.94 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $85,245 | $40.98 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $82,976 | $39.89 | +3.2% |
Assistant controller jobs by state
Most common states for assistant controllers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 266 | 38% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 904 | 13% |
| 3 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 660 | 12% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 119 | 12% |
| 5 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,364 | 11% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 535 | 10% |
| 7 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 633 | 9% |
| 8 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 524 | 9% |
| 9 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 340 | 9% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 288 | 9% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 125 | 9% |
| 12 | California | 39,536,653 | 3,336 | 8% |
| 13 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 690 | 8% |
| 14 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 343 | 8% |
| 15 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 79 | 8% |
| 16 | Alaska | 739,795 | 57 | 8% |
| 17 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 762 | 7% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 463 | 7% |
| 19 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 225 | 7% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 78 | 7% |
Most common cities for assistant controllers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billerica | 5 | 12% | $108,949 |
| 2 | Burlington | 3 | 12% | $109,050 |
| 3 | Danvers | 3 | 11% | $108,979 |
| 4 | Andover | 2 | 6% | $108,815 |
| 5 | Bloomington | 4 | 5% | $74,805 |
| 6 | Cambridge | 4 | 4% | $109,237 |
| 7 | Lansing | 3 | 3% | $81,269 |
| 8 | Newton | 3 | 3% | $109,249 |
| 9 | Boston | 12 | 2% | $109,308 |
| 10 | Little Rock | 4 | 2% | $65,875 |
| 11 | Chicago | 16 | 1% | $85,250 |
| 12 | Washington | 7 | 1% | $108,159 |
| 13 | San Francisco | 6 | 1% | $111,689 |
| 14 | Atlanta | 4 | 1% | $79,454 |
| 15 | Miami | 4 | 1% | $78,078 |
| 16 | Minneapolis | 4 | 1% | $74,979 |
| 17 | Des Moines | 3 | 1% | $71,799 |
| 18 | Los Angeles | 5 | 0% | $97,748 |
| 19 | Phoenix | 3 | 0% | $82,271 |
| 20 | San Diego | 3 | 0% | $93,293 |
Assistant Controller job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of assistant controller experts
Washington and Lee University
Manhattan College
Loyola University Chicago
Lynn University
University of Oregon
American University
University of Missouri - St Louis
Muhlenberg College
Eastern Oregon University
What will help Assistant Controllers increase their earning potential?
Patty Goedl PhD: There are several things you can do to maximize your salary potential when you are starting your career. The first would be participating in a meaningful co-op education or internship experience in school. If these opportunities are not available, talk to a recruiter in your field about part-time opportunities while in school or other opportunities when you graduate. Additionally, try to distinguish yourself from your classmates. Some examples of things you can do are maintain a high GPA, participate in student groups, volunteer in your community, or pursue online badges or certifications in your field. For example, the University of Cincinnati's two-year accounting degree program has two industry-recognized certification exams embedded into the academic curriculum—Certified QuickBooks User and Certified Bookkeeping Professional. Our students have the opportunity to graduate with an associate degree and two industry-recognized professional certifications. Professional certifications or other badges are an excellent way for students to maximize their salary potential when starting their careers. Many options for courses, certifications, and badge programs are available online since they are not included in most academic degree programs.
What will help Assistant Controllers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Dina El Mahdy Ph.D., CFE: Surprisingly, the important and most prevalent skills in the field over the next 3-5 years are soft skills such as an analytical mindset, communication (both orally and in writing), skepticism, independence, ethics, and integrity. Furthermore, familiarity with data analytics tools and software not only improves your work productivity but also helps you build expertise in the field. All these qualities can make a great accountant who can significantly impact the capital market by helping to protect investors and enhancing the usefulness of accounting information for various stakeholders.
Keith Kerr Prof.
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Controller?
Keith Kerr Prof.: There are two approaches to maximizing your salary potential, but only one approach that is completely under our control. While we can learn the best ways to approach employers to advocate for raises and promotions, the outcome of this is dependent on many external factors. What you can control, however, is how you manage the money that you do make. Taking the time to make a detailed budget of your income, expenses and debts allows one to find ways to control their spending, thus generating extra cash for saving and investing each month.
What Assistant Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Keith Kerr Prof.: There are two basic ways that most people in the US find financial success: Either find a job that pays a high salary, or find a career that you love, regardless of the salary, and make a habit of saving and investing part of your income each month starting with your first paycheck.
If you invest only $90 a month starting at 21 and ending at retirement, you would have a bit over 1 million dollars (assuming a 10% annual gain). Wait just 5 years and start doing this at 26 and your 5 years of time will have cost you $400,000 by retirement. This is the power of compounding. Start early and even with a lower salary, you still can find financial success while pursuing careers that are meaningful to you.
Colin Reid
Associate Professor of AccountingWashington and Lee University
Accounting And Related Services
What Assistant Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Colin Reid: Communication and critical thinking have always been important in accounting, but I believe the importance of these skills will increase. Professionals in accounting spend more time working in groups and with other people than many realize. Currently AI can assist with technical tasks and other repetitive work. I believe there will always be a role for accountants in terms of building relationships with clients, team members, and others with whom they work. Many problems that professionals face will involve multifaceted decisions that can be informed by data analysis but often will still need to be communicated clearly through a relationship built on trust. I believe that balancing a technical accounting education with the traditional liberal arts (e.g. humanities and social sciences) is critically important to help develop these critical thinking and communication skills.
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Controller?
Dr. Natalia Boliari PhD: First, learn everything about the company you just started working for - its historical path, management, the way it's dealt with crises, etc. Second, learn everything about the specific industry the company belongs to and see how the company has developed relative to the development of the industry domestically and internationally. Third, always be extremely alert to notice new opportunities and be prepared to take calculated risks. That is, actively look for opportunities to complete as many and diverse tasks as possible, and volunteer to complete any type of work regardless of whether it seems relevant to your assigned job or not. Opportunities to learn, grow, and improve and thus to maximize your income, will only come up if you are exposed to diverse situations.
What Assistant Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Natalia Boliari PhD: Be open minded. Finance is the broad definition of an industry which provides opportunities for careers in financial consultancy, financial analysis, stock brokerage, foreign investment, modeling, exchange rate forecasts, and many more. While most of those careers are attributed to the banking industry, you can find those and others in other sectors of the economy, such as insurance, technology, health care/medical, government, and so on. So, be open and look beyond the banking sector, examine the current and predicted trends in the economy to hunt for exciting career options.
What Assistant Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Amir Moeini Chaghervand PhD, CMA: In the next 3-5 years, I believe skills related to data analytics, technology proficiency, and communication will become more important in the accounting field. As technology advances, accountants will need to be proficient in data analysis and interpretation, as well as effective communication to convey complex financial information.
Dr. KC Rakow Ph.D., CPA
Associate Professor of AccountingLoyola University Chicago
Business/Managerial Economics
What Assistant Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. KC Rakow Ph.D., CPA: To maximize salary potential when starting a career in Accounting, individuals should focus on obtaining relevant certifications, gaining practical experience through internships or entry-level positions, negotiating their salary based on market research, and continuously improving their skills and knowledge.
What will help Assistant Controllers increase their earning potential?
James Lawson: The ability to leverage AI (artificial intelligence). There is a lot of discussion regarding the impact of AI on society, but AI is another tool that accountants can use to complete their tasks and add value to their client relationships.
What will help Assistant Controllers increase their earning potential?
David Spohn DBA, MBA, MJUR, CWM®: Likes:
- Intellectual Stimulation: Many finance analysts enjoy the challenge of solving complex financial puzzles and deriving insights from data. The role often requires staying updated with the latest economic trends and financial theories, providing continuous learning opportunities.
- Impact on Decision-making: Analysts often take pride in the fact that their work directly influences strategic business decisions. This can be highly rewarding, especially when their recommendations lead to successful outcomes.
- Career Opportunities: The field offers numerous pathways for career advancement. Analysts can ascend to roles in senior management, specialize in particular sectors such as fintech or healthcare, or move into investment roles.
Dislikes:
- High Pressure: The role can be highly stressful, with tight deadlines and significant implications tied to their analyses and recommendations. Financial markets are dynamic, and the pressure to provide accurate, timely insights can be intense.
- Monotony in Initial Stages: New entrants might find the work initially repetitive as they learn the ropes of data collection and basic analysis techniques. The intellectual rewards and more engaging tasks often come with increased responsibility.
- Work-Life Balance: Depending on the employer and the state of the market, long hours can be common, especially during financial reporting periods or significant market changes, which can impact work-life balance.
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Controller?
Clemens Kownatzki PhD, MBA: To be successful today requires essentially the same basic skills and behaviors that made people successful in the past. It’s a lot about who you know, not what you know. Having some basic skills is a necessary condition but it’s not sufficient. You have to be a good communicator, have to be likeable and be a good team player. And to do those things, you need to be around people enough, develop the most important social skills and remember the important things you learned in kindergarten. Show up on time, do what you say and not say what you do and be nice to people. Essentially the golden rule: “Do unto others…” But there are also some important practical things you should do. Think about getting a CFA license or others like CAIA, CMA, CPA, FRM etc. These professional designations won’t hurt you, they can be a requirement in some jobs or at least a differentiator as you apply for jobs. You can also take the Securities Industry Examination as a precondition to getting the more recognized Series 7, 63, 65 etc. But also consider some very easy things like getting certified with the Bloomberg Market Concepts. If your business school has a Bloomberg terminal (we’re lucky because we have 4 terminals), it’s a self-paced exam that’s free on the Bloomberg terminal. Also think about joining some associations to help with getting to know people in positions. You have to network every day and keep on working that network constantly. Lastly, don’t be afraid to negotiate. Yes, it is a competitive industry and there’s always more than just a handful applying for a position but you should know your worth. While you’re networking and having conversations with executives through your network, find out what reasonable expectations should be for the work being delivered.
What will help Assistant Controllers increase their earning potential?
Clemens Kownatzki PhD, MBA: As a beginner in any field, it pays to listen more than to talk. Be humble, pay attention, be nice to folks and probably most helpful is having a mentor who can guide you along and show you some best practices for navigating your career. You should take advantage of your education, not just to show a piece of paper that says you graduated but think of every single project, essay or paper that you write as part of a portfolio that demonstrates your skill sets. Especially in finance where we can sometimes be enamored with the beauty of a mathematical model, think about how any model should be applied in the real world. In some cases that might mean that you have to “get your hands on the wheel and learn how to drive.” I am not suggesting that you should put all your savings at risk and buy the next iteration of the latest cryptocurrency, but If you’re interested in a career in investing, put a small amount of money at risk and trade a stock, or if you must trade a few dollars’ worth of Bitcoin or Ether – as much as you would risk for a movie ticket seems reasonable. There are lots of virtual trading apps where you can trade with paper money, but there’s nothing like understanding risk when your own dollars are at stake, even if it’s just a few dollars. You should also absorb all the workshops, seminars and resources available out there. Follow Prof. Aswath Damodaran who has a YouTube Channel and hundreds of spreadsheets with financial models, all for free! Also follow some good content providers on various channels to get additional insights – in the field of finance, you need to be up-to-date on all events because those influence markets and the economy. Be ready to continue learning and update your skills and understanding while you’re working. Education doesn’t end after you finish your degree. All successful people are life-long learners.
What Assistant Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ms. Leah Parker-Roth 15, CPA: Accounting is an excellent field to enter right now because it isn't going anywhere. Even with advancements in artificial intelligence and automation, clients still need accountants to interpret complex tax laws and regulations that are constantly evolving. Accounting is the language of business and is a valuable skill to have. Moreover, accountants examine financial information to provide useful insights to clients, enabling them to make well-informed business decisions.
What will help Assistant Controllers increase their earning potential?
Ms. Leah Parker-Roth 15, CPA: Due to the broad nature of accounting, it is challenging to describe an accountant's typical day-to-day life accurately. However, this is a good thing because there are various specific areas within accounting, such as public accounting and governmental accounting. Accounting professionals generally expect to perform a standard set of tasks and utilize specific skills, including analytical skills and effective communication with colleagues and clients. While anyone can gather and organize data, accountants possess the expertise to analyze and communicate the data. Accountants perform specific tasks, including preparing financial statements and tax returns, payroll processing, maintaining accounting systems, and providing consulting services.
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Controller?
Abbie Daly PhD, CPA: Accounting is often referred to as the "language of business" because accountants communicate financial information. So communication is an integral part of an accountant's day. For example, auditors and tax preparers meet with their clients to understand their financial information, and accountants at organizations prepare and communicate financial information to guide strategic decisions. To facilitate these communications, accountants analyze and interpret many data points. For example, in auditing the revenue recognized by a company, an auditor would examine the underlying transactions, contracts, and supporting documentation.
Z. Jay Wang
Department Head, Associate Professor of FinanceUniversity of Oregon
Finance And Financial Management Services
What will help Assistant Controllers increase their earning potential?
Z. Jay Wang: Students who have a history of doing work in the field outside the classroom either through internships, industry projects, or school-sponsored clubs managing financial decisions are better poised to maximize starting salary potential. Starting early to secure internships with top companies will also position students well for higher earning potential. Most top banks and firms will post internships from April/May to August, and close by the end of September for the following summer. They are also rolling, so may fill the roles by as early as June of the sophomore year for the following summer after junior year. Finally, networking with industry and alumni professionals in the companies, firms, banks prior to applying for an internship or full-time position will have an impact. The candidate will learn more about the opportunity and company culture for their resume and potential interview, and most top companies in finance will have a referral program. If the candidate impresses the internal connection with excellent questions and strategic answers, they may get a referral that moves them up in the stacks of applicants.
Octavian Ionici PhD
Sr. Lecturer in FinanceAmerican University
Finance And Financial Management Services
What Assistant Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Octavian Ionici PhD: The finance profession is lucrative, rewarding and very competitive. Graduates should do their research about the organization they are interviewing with and be able to discuss how their skills can contribute to the business. They should also know if they would rather interact with people and clients or if they are drawn to intellectual pursuits such as analysis. Do they value power, prestige status, risk, or something else? Ultimately our core values, personal goals, interests, aptitudes, and personality will shape our career paths.
Being able to articulate what sparked their interest in the financial field and why they are interested in a chosen role will be an advantage during the hiring process. While still in college, students should join a professional association like the Financial Management Association to give them more access to that broad network, as well as access to career development resources that can set them apart from the crowd.
It's also critical to get an internship (paid or unpaid) in order to show some real-life experience. They can do this while they are still in college, during the summers, or even afterwards, to get a foot in the door.
Reading the WSJ and FT daily, and listening to Bloomberg, or other financial programs as a regular practice will help them to have fluency in the language of our profession. Because the finance sector is heavily regulated and changes occur due to changing economic and political conditions, they will need to stay updated with those changes. Financial media sources will help bring them that context to stay up to date on all of these moving parts.
What will help Assistant Controllers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kimberly Gaither: Maximize your salary potential by asking questions and learning as quickly as possible. Be a good communicator with those above and below you as well as your peers. Be dependable. Persons who show up early and work hard will be valued and rewarded.
Thomas Kozloski PhD, CPA, CGMA
Chair - Department of AccountingUniversity of Missouri - St Louis
Accounting And Related Services
What Assistant Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Thomas Kozloski PhD, CPA, CGMA: Accountants use their business and accounting knowledge and skills to assemble and analyze financial and operational data and communicate that information to various internal and external stakeholders of the entity they work for. This includes preparing financial reports including financial statements. Accountants may also work in the tax profession preparing tax reports and returns, and the auditing profession where they conduct procedures and tests to provide assurance that financial information is fairly stated.
What will help Assistant Controllers increase their earning potential?
Thomas Kozloski PhD, CPA, CGMA: This is an excellent time to enter the accounting profession! Not only because technology continues to remove some of the more mechanical tasks that used to be performed by a person, but also because there is an extreme shortage of accounting-educated personnel across the country, especially those seeking to enter the profession. This fact is increasing salaries and benefits as hiring companies compete to hire new professionals.
What will help Assistant Controllers increase their earning potential?
Ermira Mazziotta MBA, CPA, CFE: Accounting students are in a very good position to land well paying jobs because of the demand. Most important advice I would give is to continue to learn and grow and invest in your professional growth by taking classes, working on different clients from different industries and most importantly network. If you have an option to work in the office, do that instead of working remotely. Making those face to face connections will help propel and grow your career.
Amber Lawson CPA
Assistant Professor of Practice in AccountingWhat Assistant Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Amber Lawson CPA: First and foremost, meeting the necessary requirements for your CPA license is crucial for maximizing your salary potential in any field of accounting. Becoming a CPA not only elevates your earning potential within your starting position, but also creates mobility should you choose to shift your career path. The license signals that you are truly a professional and is a recognizable badge of excellence and the effort you expended to achieve it. Additionally, regardless of where you start your accounting career, become an expert. Whether that is within a particular industry or in regards to a particular methodology, learn whatever you can. Again, this allows you to not only elevate yourself in your existing role, but gives you more value (in tandem with your CPA license) as a professional should you choose to change.
What will help Assistant Controllers increase their earning potential?
Ermira Mazziotta: Accounting students are in a very good position to land well paying jobs because of the demand. Most important advice I would give is to continue to learn and grow and invest in your professional growth by taking classes, working on different clients from different industries and most importantly network. If you have an option to work in the office, do that instead of working remotely. Making those face to face connections will help propel and grow your career.
Dr. Mohamed Abualhaija
Associate Professor of AccountingEastern Oregon University
Business/Commerce
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Controller?
Dr. Mohamed Abualhaija: In the corporate world, soft skills are critical, particularly for those starting careers in accounting, business, or similar fields. These skills help people deal with diverse situations at work and communicate with others more effectively. Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, flexibility, and emotional intelligence are all examples of essential soft skills.