How to hire a city controller

How to hire a city controller, step by step

Here's a step-by-step city controller hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a city controller job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new city controller
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a city controller job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   The city controller hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A city controller's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, city controllers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of city controller salaries for various roles:

   Type of City Controller	Description	Hourly rate
   City Controller	Financial managers are responsible for the financial health of an organization. They produce financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop strategies and plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization.	$32-85
   Finance Vice President	The vice president of finance is one of the highest-ranking executives in a company. He/She or she works under the chief financial officer, and both have similar duties that are often interchangeable... Show more	$47-106
   Director Of Administration & Finance	A director of administration finance oversees and directs an organization's administration and finance department, ensuring operations run smoothly and efficiently according to company standards and regulations. It is their duty to set goals and guidelines, lead the research and development efforts, establish procedures, manage the budgets and costs, review and evaluate financial reports, and implement the organizations' policies and standards... Show more	$35-77

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Financial Reports
   • Payroll
   • Balance Sheet Accounts
   • Financial Operations
   • Firsthand Knowledge
   • Press Releases
   • Journal Entries

   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.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your city controller job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A city controller can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, city controllers' average salary in arkansas is 39% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level city controllers 62% less than senior-level city controllers.
   • Certifications. A city controller with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a city controller's salary.

   Average city controller salary

   $110,568yearly

   $53.16 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level city controller salary

   $68,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 30, 2025

4. Writing a city controller job description

   A city controller job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a city controller job description:

   City controller job description example

   StandardAero is centrally located in North Kansas City, just off the Hwy 9 Heart of America Bridge. Our employees work in a safe, clean and air-conditioned facility that is focused on the well-being of its employees, customers and products. The typical StandardAero North KC employee stays for over 25 years. We work on parts from most military and commercial jets in use today as well as the next generation engines of tomorrow.
   
   StandardAero/PAS Technologies Inc. has an immediate opening for a Plant Controller with a solid work history, attention to detail, strong computer skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, a positive attitude and a passion for problem solving and solid analytical experience to join our plant Leadership Team.
   
   The Controller is responsible for all financial and management accounting activities of the business unit including monitoring the financial performance of specific business units/programs. Provides comprehensive analysis and calculates financial measures of performance.
   Responsibilities:
   - Prepares monthly account analysis of profit & loss statement and balance sheet accounts.
   - Coordinates the day-to-day financial operations within the business unit including the administration and monitoring of company financial policies.
   - Responsible for meeting the financial reporting requirements of the business unit that includes measures of performance, month-end and related journal entries, margin analysis, expense reviews and profit planning.
   - Develop timely and accurate plant financial forecasts and the annual budget.
   - Support Plant Leadership to identify and carry out initiatives to improve profits, reduce costs, evaluate capital investments and make best use of available resources;
   - Provides financial analysis, monitoring and closing of capital projects and associated spend.
   - Ensures that systems and procedures are in compliance with company policies, acceptable accounting practices, applicable regulations and required filings are submitted on time.
   - Exercises authority in hiring, training, career development, performance appraisals, salary adjustments, promotion, discipline, health, safety and the general employee relations of direct reports.
   - Actively participates in the appropriate management team(s), assisting with the development and realization of strategic plans, budgets, goals and outcomes.
   - Provide supporting documentation to include small business plans, cost and price data for government related contracts and audits.
   - Manages the Finance and Supply Chain departments at the plant.
   - Plan and manage Inventory Cycle count process.
   - Perform various special projects as assigned.
   Requirements
   - 5+ years financial planning and analysis experience in a manufacturing environment; Aerospace MRO industry experience a plus;
   - Possess superior operational orientation, business modeling and analytical skills;
   - Strong technology skills a must (Excel and Database tools); working experience with large ERP system a must, Oracle a plus;
   - Experience in a standard costing environment;
   - An undergraduate degree in accounting or finance related field required;
   - Strong working knowledge of GAAP accounting principles and practices;
   - Demonstrates initiative and a strong sense of urgency to meet deadlines;
   - Ability to work in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment;
   - Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
   We offer an excellent compensation and benefits package.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right city controller for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your city controller job on Zippia to find and recruit city controller candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting city controllers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new city controller

   Once you have selected a candidate for the city controller position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new city controller. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a city controller?