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The differences between bookkeepers and controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a bookkeeper, becoming a controller takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a controller has an average salary of $101,204, which is higher than the $40,337 average annual salary of a bookkeeper.
The top three skills for a bookkeeper include payroll tax returns, customer service and reconciliations. The most important skills for a controller are CPA, payroll processing, and reconciliations.
| Bookkeeper | Controller | |
| Yearly salary | $40,337 | $101,204 |
| Hourly rate | $19.39 | $48.66 |
| Growth rate | -5% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 38,481 | 75,440 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 51 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 8 |
Bookkeepers are employees who are in charge of the company's general ledger. They are well-versed in basic accounting principles, and they apply these in their work. Bookkeepers manage the entry of items in the general ledger, assign items into their proper categories, and ensure that the entries are balanced. They also act as auditors by checking the accuracy and veracity of the receipts or vouchers in their possession before entering them into the system. Bookkeepers ensure that their files are up to date and free of errors.
Controllers are employees in the accounting department who manage the finances of the organization. They are involved in the budget setting activity at the start of the company's fiscal year. Controllers are responsible for ensuring that all departments work within their respective budgets. They have the power to recommend budget cuts due to any unforeseen circumstances that may happen. They also have the ability to veto or forego budget items. Controllers should have accounting skills and auditing skills. They must also be trustworthy and should work with integrity.
Bookkeepers and controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Bookkeeper | Controller | |
| Average salary | $40,337 | $101,204 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $52,000 | Between $70,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Portland, ME |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | NTT Data International L.L.C. | Perkins Coie |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a bookkeeper and a controller in terms of educational background:
| Bookkeeper | Controller | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Accounting |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between bookkeepers' and controllers' demographics:
| Bookkeeper | Controller | |
| Average age | 51 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 15.4% Female, 84.6% | Male, 58.9% Female, 41.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 6.6% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 9.4% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 11% |