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The differences between charge 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 charge 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 $46,615 average annual salary of a charge bookkeeper.
The top three skills for a charge bookkeeper include reconciliations, payroll tax returns and balance sheet. The most important skills for a controller are CPA, payroll processing, and reconciliations.
| Charge Bookkeeper | Controller | |
| Yearly salary | $46,615 | $101,204 |
| Hourly rate | $22.41 | $48.66 |
| Growth rate | -5% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 27,542 | 75,440 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 51 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 8 |
A full charge bookkeeper's primary job is to manage and handle all the accounts of a small or medium-sized business. They are responsible for overseeing the accounting duties for a company, including billing customers, preparing bank statements and tax returns, and processing timesheets. Also, a full charge bookkeeper collates and enters vendor expenses, maintains the ledger's accuracy, and process accounts receivables. There are specific requirements you should meet to become a successful full charge bookkeeper, such as having a bachelor's degree in accounting, previous work experience as a charge bookkeeper, and bookkeeping certification.
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.
Charge bookkeepers and controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Charge Bookkeeper | Controller | |
| Average salary | $46,615 | $101,204 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $58,000 | Between $70,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Portland, ME |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | New York |
| Best paying company | The Carney Group | Perkins Coie |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Technology |
There are a few differences between a charge bookkeeper and a controller in terms of educational background:
| Charge Bookkeeper | Controller | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Accounting |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between charge bookkeepers' and controllers' demographics:
| Charge Bookkeeper | Controller | |
| Average age | 51 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 13.9% Female, 86.1% | Male, 58.9% Female, 41.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.6% White, 67.3% 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% |