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

What is an assistant corporate controller and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Janet Tarase

Assistant controllers work in the finance or accounting department to assist the controller. They are usually in charge of preparing financial statements in line with official regulations and implementing internal controls. As an additional corporate controller, your responsibilities also include managing payroll, account reconciliation, and financial audit support.

You must be capable of working independently and with the utmost integrity. You are to assure rigorous adherence to company and regulatory guidelines and provide assistance to the accounting department. While at it, you will compile reports on compliance issues, standards, and accounting processes and keep track of regulatory changes.

You'll need great accounting abilities and an understanding of key industry rules to succeed as an assistant controller. In addition, the ideal candidate would be well-organized and possess good managerial abilities. In this post, you can earn an average pay of $114,919 annually. However, you need to have a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance, although many employers prefer those with a master's degree in business administration.

What general advice would you give to an assistant corporate controller?

Janet Tarase

Lead Accounting Faculty / Accounting Department Chair, Red Rocks Community College

Create a vision board to set your yearly objectives and a long-term strategic plan that includes your professional and personal goal aspirations; be prepared to modify both of these guides as things change in your life. Join LinkedIn, if you haven't already, update it and make sure it is current. Make connections with a local professionals' group and create a network of like-minded, goal-oriented individuals. Also find a mentor or ask senior employees for their advice and counseling. Clean up your social media accounts or at the very least mark your questionable content as private so you are not sharing it publicly; become the professional you want to be. Continue your professional development, either through your employer, free online programs, or by furthering your education. Keep track of your accomplishments and continue to update your biography and resume. Finally, be appreciative and modest - thank those that help you and make sure to acknowledge those who participated in your successes.

ScoreAssistant Corporate ControllerUS Average

Salary

8.3

Avg. Salary $128,131

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.8

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.34%

Asian 10.18%

Black or African American 7.59%

Hispanic or Latino 14.54%

Unknown 4.11%

White 63.25%

Gender

female 30.47%

male 69.53%

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 corporate controller

Explore assistant corporate controller education requirements

Most common assistant corporate controller degrees

Bachelor's

80.5 %

Master's

15.1 %

Associate

3.7 %

Start to develop specific assistant corporate controller skills

Skills	Percentages
GAAP	8.29%
CPA	8.00%
External Auditors	7.11%
Reconciliations	5.82%
Internal Controls	5.73%

Research assistant corporate controller duties and responsibilities

Implement and manage SOX compliance, ultimately creating and managing the process with internal resources to reduce costs to the business.
Manage relationship with CPA firm for annual audit and tax engagements.
Develop, document and manage projects relate to ERP functionality improvements.
Manage payroll and compensation for personal household staff in Washington and Arizona.

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