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Comptroller vs business manager

The differences between comptrollers and business managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a comptroller, becoming a business manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a business manager has an average salary of $83,198, which is higher than the $81,446 average annual salary of a comptroller.

The top three skills for a comptroller include payroll taxes, external auditors and general ledger accounts. The most important skills for a business manager are customer service, powerpoint, and project management.

Comptroller vs business manager overview

ComptrollerBusiness Manager
Yearly salary$81,446$83,198
Hourly rate$39.16$40.00
Growth rate17%6%
Number of jobs20,780377,191
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4644
Years of experience86

Comptroller vs business manager salary

Comptrollers and business managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

ComptrollerBusiness Manager
Average salary$81,446$83,198
Salary rangeBetween $52,000 And $126,000Between $47,000 And $145,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNew YorkWashington
Best paying companyScotiabankThe Citadel
Best paying industryHospitalityTechnology

Differences between comptroller and business manager education

There are a few differences between a comptroller and a business manager in terms of educational background:

ComptrollerBusiness Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorAccountingBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Comptroller vs business manager demographics

Here are the differences between comptrollers' and business managers' demographics:

ComptrollerBusiness Manager
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 48.2% Female, 51.8%Male, 43.2% Female, 56.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 8.3% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%10%

Differences between comptroller and business manager duties and responsibilities

Comptroller example responsibilities.

  • Work with the users for the UAT test phase and lead the UAT test sessions.
  • Complete responsibility for high-volume billing functions and managing client trust accounts, including bank reconciliations.
  • Manage payroll and all taxation matters, coordinate independent audit; communicate with outside organizations and agencies.
  • Coordinate CPA preparation of year-end financial statement compilation and tax returns.
  • Design and implement appropriate reports and procedures to monitor and control execution of monthly journal entries and account reconciliations.
  • Assist the users with the UAT test plan.
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Business manager example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate and manage hvac projects from estimate to invoice.
  • Manage accounting, treasury, and process improvement initiatives to effect financial turnaround of CMRO business unit.
  • Manage and supervise firm operations on a daily basis including purchases, accounting, scheduling of vendors, attorney and CPA.
  • Create solutions in the areas of invoicing, AR reporting and payment methods that lead to system improvements and streamline processes.
  • Manage all human resource activities, operational processes and financial oversight.
  • Develop internal operating procedures design to achieve efficient clinic operations and maximum service to patients.
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Comptroller vs business manager skills

Common comptroller skills
  • Payroll Taxes, 11%
  • External Auditors, 7%
  • General Ledger Accounts, 6%
  • Reconciliations, 6%
  • CPA, 4%
  • Journal Entries, 4%
Common business manager skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • PowerPoint, 7%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Human Resources, 6%
  • Payroll Taxes, 5%
  • Business Plan, 4%

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