Assistant corporate controller vs projects controller

The differences between assistant corporate controllers and projects controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become an assistant corporate controller, becoming a projects controller takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an assistant corporate controller has an average salary of $128,131, which is higher than the $79,451 average annual salary of a projects controller.

The top three skills for an assistant corporate controller include GAAP, CPA and external auditors. The most important skills for a projects controller are project management, financial analysis, and project controller.

Assistant corporate controller vs projects controller overview

	Assistant Corporate Controller	Projects Controller
Yearly salary	$128,131	$79,451
Hourly rate	$61.60	$38.20
Growth rate	17%	6%
Number of jobs	55,450	16,334
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 81%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	46	44
Years of experience	8	4

What does an assistant corporate controller do?

Assistant corporate controllers are professionals who prepare statements that follow all regulatory and accounting guidelines for an organization by using their knowledge of accounting principles. These controllers are required to review financial data and discuss any discrepancies with the organization's vice president. They must establish internal control systems so that they can prevent errors in the financial statements. Assistant corporate controllers must also coordinate financial audits with the chief financial officer (CFO) while delegating data entry tasks to their junior accounting staff.

What does a projects controller do?

A project controller is responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of project management procedures, ensuring that the team adheres to the clients' specifications and requirements, and keeping all project resources and deliverables within the budget goals and set timeframe. Project controllers determine the progress of the project and coordinate the updates to the client, adjusting the project approach as needed to achieve high-quality standards and objectives. They also maintain an organized report of expenditures, as well as generating process reports to identify potential process improvement techniques that will maximize operational efficiency.

Assistant corporate controller vs projects controller salary

Assistant corporate controllers and projects controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Assistant Corporate Controller	Projects Controller
Average salary	$128,131	$79,451
Salary range	Between $81,000 And $201,000	Between $53,000 And $118,000
Highest paying City	-	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	-	New Jersey
Best paying company	-	California Resources
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between assistant corporate controller and projects controller education

There are a few differences between an assistant corporate controller and a projects controller in terms of educational background:

	Assistant Corporate Controller	Projects Controller
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 81%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Accounting	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Assistant corporate controller vs projects controller demographics

Here are the differences between assistant corporate controllers' and projects controllers' demographics:

	Assistant Corporate Controller	Projects Controller
Average age	46	44
Gender ratio	Male, 69.5% Female, 30.5%	Male, 55.9% Female, 44.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 10.2% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	7%

Differences between assistant corporate controller and projects controller duties and responsibilities

Assistant corporate controller example 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.
Manage accounting systems configuration and improvement, external auditor communication and requirements, regulatory compliance and SOX controls review.
Maintain integrity of the general ledger and ensuring timely and accurate reconciliations of all accounts.

Projects controller example responsibilities.

Develop GAAP compliant reporting and manage software implementations.
Manage treasury, open several new accounts, establish new procedures and controls, monitor daily activity.
Prepare accruals and revenue recognition calculations.
Work with foremen and supervisors to ensure proper WBS elements are charged.
Set up and management of charge numbers according to an establish WBS and distribution of project authorizations to team members.
Process journal entries and accruals monthly to account for all orders, revenue, and cost in the appropriate period.

Assistant corporate controller vs projects controller skills

Common assistant corporate controller skills

GAAP, 8%
CPA, 8%
External Auditors, 7%
Reconciliations, 6%
Internal Controls, 6%
Payroll, 5%

Common projects controller skills

Project Management, 11%
Financial Analysis, 7%
Project Controller, 5%
Earned Value Management, 3%
Project Cost, 3%
Work Breakdown Structure, 3%

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Assistant Corporate Controller
Assistant Corporate Controller vs Projects Controller

Updated January 8, 2025

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