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Assistant director of finance vs finance controller

The differences between assistant directors of finance and finance controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both an assistant director of finance and a finance controller. Additionally, a finance controller has an average salary of $105,869, which is higher than the $71,057 average annual salary of an assistant director of finance.

The top three skills for an assistant director of finance include customer service, payroll and reconciliations. The most important skills for a finance controller are CPA, payroll, and financial controller.

Assistant director of finance vs finance controller overview

Assistant Director Of FinanceFinance Controller
Yearly salary$71,057$105,869
Hourly rate$34.16$50.90
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs98,89297,342
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does an assistant director of finance do?

An assistant director of finance is responsible for overseeing the financial activities of a company, ensuring accuracy and smooth workflow. They are also in charge of implementing company policies and regulations, creating new ones as needed while coordinating with the director. Moreover, an assistant director of finance may perform audits and risk assessments, allocate budgets and schedules, coordinate with different departments to gather necessary data, and create new strategies to optimize the workflow and the performance of the workforce.

What does a finance controller do?

A financial controller is primarily in charge of the daily finance activities and accounting functions of a company. Their responsibilities typically revolve around preparing and organizing financial reports, analyzing data and looking out for any discrepancies or inconsistencies, and overseeing the company's overall revenues and expenditures. A financial controller must also maintain documentation, participate in risk assessment and budgeting activities, and develop strategies for profit growth. Furthermore, one must coordinate with other department staff to ensure accuracy, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Assistant director of finance vs finance controller salary

Assistant directors of finance and finance controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assistant Director Of FinanceFinance Controller
Average salary$71,057$105,869
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $109,000Between $71,000 And $156,000
Highest paying CityOakland, CAYonkers, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyUCI HealthSage Memorial Hospital
Best paying industryUtilitiesTechnology

Differences between assistant director of finance and finance controller education

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

Assistant Director Of FinanceFinance Controller
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Assistant director of finance vs finance controller demographics

Here are the differences between assistant directors of finance' and finance controllers' demographics:

Assistant Director Of FinanceFinance Controller
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 46.7% Female, 53.3%Male, 61.5% Female, 38.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 8.9% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between assistant director of finance and finance controller duties and responsibilities

Assistant director of finance example responsibilities.

  • Manage FSEOG & FWS programs in the campus.
  • Lead team of individuals responsible for completion of verification, R2T4, and student file audits.
  • Manage a majority of payroll ensuring that there are accurate accruals and necessary deductions.
  • Manage financial reporting in support of CEO/CFO/President with oversight for data integrity and consistency of reporting across enterprise.
  • Complete state and federal reporting which pertain to financial aid such as IPEDS, FISAP, and HLC reports.
  • Prepare journal entries, prepare reconciliations, produce financial productivity reports, and liaise with business managers as lead accounting point-of-contact.
  • Show more

Finance controller example responsibilities.

  • Lead the implementation of a fully integrate ERP system resulting in increase financial integrity.
  • Supervise a staff of seven in the areas of A/P, A/R, G/L, financial reporting and payroll.
  • Coordinate annual financial audit with external CPA firm and implement internal controls to satisfy recommendations from auditors.
  • Develop and implement procedures with internal controls for all financial and operational processes to ensure GAAP compliance.
  • Prepare all accounts for the month-end closing process and additionally gather information for daily/monthly reconciliations and journal entries.
  • Work with outside CPA on year-end tax planning; ensure the timely filing and payment of corporate taxes.
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Assistant director of finance vs finance controller skills

Common assistant director of finance skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Payroll, 8%
  • Reconciliations, 5%
  • Financial Analysis, 5%
  • Financial Data, 4%
  • Cash Control, 4%
Common finance controller skills
  • CPA, 7%
  • Payroll, 7%
  • Financial Controller, 7%
  • GAAP, 5%
  • General Ledger, 5%
  • Internal Controls, 5%

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