City controller vs projects controller

The differences between city 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 a city controller, becoming a projects controller takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a city controller has an average salary of $110,568, which is higher than the $79,451 average annual salary of a projects controller.

The top three skills for a city controller include financial reports, payroll and balance sheet accounts. The most important skills for a projects controller are project management, financial analysis, and project controller.

City controller vs projects controller overview

	City Controller	Projects Controller
Yearly salary	$110,568	$79,451
Hourly rate	$53.16	$38.20
Growth rate	17%	6%
Number of jobs	19,157	16,334
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	46	44
Years of experience	8	4

City controller vs projects controller salary

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

	City Controller	Projects Controller
Average salary	$110,568	$79,451
Salary range	Between $68,000 And $177,000	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 city controller and projects controller education

There are a few differences between a city controller and a projects controller in terms of educational background:

	City Controller	Projects Controller
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Accounting	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

City controller vs projects controller demographics

Here are the differences between city controllers' and projects controllers' demographics:

	City Controller	Projects Controller
Average age	46	44
Gender ratio	Male, 58.8% Female, 41.2%	Male, 55.9% Female, 44.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 7.9% White, 65.6% 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 city controller and projects controller duties and responsibilities

City controller example responsibilities.

Manage accounting systems configuration and improvement, external auditor communication and requirements, regulatory compliance and SOX controls review.
Manage accounting systems configuration and improvement, external auditor communication and requirements, regulatory compliance and SOX controls review.
Create custom reports in ADP for accounting department analysis and distribution to management.

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.

City controller vs projects controller skills

Common city controller skills

Financial Reports, 41%
Payroll, 30%
Balance Sheet Accounts, 12%
Financial Operations, 8%
Firsthand Knowledge, 4%
Press Releases, 3%

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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City Controller
City Controller vs Projects Controller

Updated January 8, 2025

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