Chief accountant vs controller

The differences between chief accountants and controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a chief accountant, becoming a controller takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a controller has an average salary of $101,204, which is higher than the $61,481 average annual salary of a chief accountant.

The top three skills for a chief accountant include external auditors, reconciliations and general ledger accounts. The most important skills for a controller are CPA, payroll processing, and reconciliations.

Chief accountant vs controller overview

	Chief Accountant	Controller
Yearly salary	$61,481	$101,204
Hourly rate	$29.56	$48.66
Growth rate	6%	17%
Number of jobs	52,287	75,440
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age	44	46
Years of experience	4	8

What does a chief accountant do?

Chief accountants develop financial strategies, oversee the accounting department, make investment decisions, and develop financial strategies. They provide assistance to departments with their reviews and budgets, tax studies, and internal control. It is part of their job to respond to the accounting questions from time management. They take charge of monitoring and recording financial transactions based on corporate regulations and policies. Also, they recommend changes to the procedures of accounting.

What does a controller do?

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.

Chief accountant vs controller salary

Chief accountants and controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Chief Accountant	Controller
Average salary	$61,481	$101,204
Salary range	Between $43,000 And $87,000	Between $70,000 And $144,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Portland, ME
Highest paying state	New York	New York
Best paying company	IBM	Perkins Coie
Best paying industry	Retail	Technology

Differences between chief accountant and controller education

There are a few differences between a chief accountant and a controller in terms of educational background:

	Chief Accountant	Controller
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common major	Accounting	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Chief accountant vs controller demographics

Here are the differences between chief accountants' and controllers' demographics:

	Chief Accountant	Controller
Average age	44	46
Gender ratio	Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0%	Male, 58.9% Female, 41.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 15.3% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	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%

Differences between chief accountant and controller duties and responsibilities

Chief accountant example responsibilities.

Manage and monitor accounting procedures for compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and coordinate and facilitate external audit requirements.
Prepare monthly trial balance, balance sheets, and profit and loss statements according to GAAP.
Prepare monthly account reconciliations (bank reconciliation, accounts receivable reconciliation, accounts payable reconciliation, and general ledger reconciliation).
Research, advise and resolve accounting and business issues, ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP and head office requirements.
Monitor deposits and withdrawals of revenue and expenses, review payroll, and ensure accurate processing and timely bank reconciliations.
Prepare daily SOX audit documentation, ensuring that bank account activity have been reconcile and to identify any outstanding variances.

Show more

Controller example responsibilities.

Manage NAV production, calculation of performance fees, IFRS accounts and subscription/redemption analysis.
Lead transition of company from sole proprietor to NYSE list company subsidiary, including implementing new financial reporting system.
Manage a team of junior staff accountants and maintaining quality control throughout the entire monthly billing, A/P & A/R processes.
Manage treasury, open several new accounts, establish new procedures and controls, monitor daily activity.
Produce monthly account reconciliations, post monthly journal entries and review, analyze, correct and issue monthly comparative financial statements.
Perform accounting research and special projects as required including cash flow analysis, cost projections, reconciliations and other financial analysis.

Show more

Chief accountant vs controller skills

Common chief accountant skills

External Auditors, 13%
Reconciliations, 10%
General Ledger Accounts, 9%
Balance Sheet Accounts, 7%
Financial Reports, 5%
Internal Controls, 4%

Common controller skills

CPA, 8%
Payroll Processing, 7%
Reconciliations, 6%
Cash Management, 5%
Internal Controls, 5%
GAAP, 5%

Chief Accountant vs. similar jobs

Chief Accountant related careers

Chief Accountant related jobs

What similar roles do

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse business and financial jobs

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z