What does a control analyst do?
A control analyst is an individual who is responsible for identifying weaknesses in the work process of an organization and implement methods to minimize risks. Control analysts are required to supervise the process for incident reports and provide technical guidance to their personnel. They must prepare monthly general ledger account analysis and balance sheets reconciliations that are according to the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Control analysts should also assist with the organization's ISO audit procedures and findings.
Control analyst responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real control analyst resumes:
- Manage the implementation and roll-out of SharePoint as a team collaboration and document management tool.
- Develop infrastructure to enable clients to better understand and manage risks associate with their decision environment to capture opportunities.
- Transform the month-end calculation methodology and analysis process to provide a more accurate and detail fuel accruals and variance analysis.
- Assist in SQL database applications development custom tailor for company s needs.
- Provide ad hoc queries as requested by various areas within the bank (SQL).
- Conduct UAT to make sure that all applications are tested for functionality and are adequately accept by users.
- Develop standardized KPI reporting to drive carrier performance, track tonnage volumes, and report on overall operational cost effectiveness.
- Used SharePoint to design and implement the process flow for the approval of all direct and indirect products for the organization.
- Follow scrum methodology for development.
- Maintain PMO historical files including all monthly documentation.
- Represent DHS at collaborative meetings involving community service providers.
- Perform internal control assessments and support SOX control initiatives to ensure compliance.
- Identify compliance exceptions during SOX testing of asset capitalization and depreciation reporting procedures.
- Design an intercompany billing dashboard to provide stakeholders with information and KPI measures.
- Post monthly one-off journal entries and perform any necessary re-classifications and/or accruals adjustment.
Control analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Control Analysts are proficient in Internal Controls, Risk Assessments, and SOX. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Problem-solving skills, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Control Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Internal Controls, 8%
Reviewed documentation and testing of internal controls and coordinated work and project management for third party consultants and internal control professionals.
- Risk Assessments, 6%
Initiated strategic development of technology risk assessments and access management evaluations to incorporate current industry best practices.
- SOX, 5%
Audit journal entries within Global Business Services division to ensure supporting documentation and approvals comply with SOX internal control standards.
- Internal Audit, 4%
Develop and maintain a collaborative relationship with Internal Audit and other risk and control professionals across the organization.
- Customer Service, 4%
Manage operational responsibilities with Customer Services Manager, and ensured follow through on the completion/implementation of the designated operational/risk activities.
- Strong Analytical, 4%
Demonstrated strong analytical and business problem solving skills; able to understand complex business system functionality and develop strategies.
"internal controls," "risk assessments," and "sox" are among the most common skills that control analysts use at work. You can find even more control analyst responsibilities below, including:
Interpersonal skills. One of the key soft skills for a control analyst to have is interpersonal skills. You can see how this relates to what control analysts do because "management analysts work with managers and other employees of the organizations for which they provide consulting services." Additionally, a control analyst resume shows how control analysts use interpersonal skills: "utilized excellent interpersonal skills and diplomacy communicating with foreign and u.s. military and government officials resulting in flawless international communications boards. "
Problem-solving skills. Another essential skill to perform control analyst duties is problem-solving skills. Control analysts responsibilities require that "management analysts must be able to think creatively to solve clients’ problems." Control analysts also use problem-solving skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "assessed, evaluated and resolved daily insurance claim edits to determine if corrective actions can be taken. "
Time-management skills. control analysts are also known for time-management skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to control analyst responsibilities, because "management analysts often work under tight deadlines and must use their time efficiently to complete projects on schedule." A control analyst resume example shows how time-management skills is used in the workplace: "supervised data entry employees for accuracy, meeting deadlines and procedures. "
Analytical skills. For certain control analyst responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "analytical skills." The day-to-day duties of a control analyst rely on this skill, as "management analysts must be able to interpret information and use their findings to make proposals." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what control analysts do: "monitored data integrity between agile plm and oracle erp systems throughout change cycle. "
Communication skills. Another common skill required for control analyst responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of control analysts all the time, as "management analysts must be able to convey information clearly in both writing and speaking." An excerpt from a real control analyst resume shows how this skill is central to what a control analyst does: "provided communication to the staff for all data entry process changes. "
The three companies that hire the most control analysts are:
- Deloitte198 control analysts jobs
- Zurich73 control analysts jobs
- Bank of America22 control analysts jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable control analyst resume templates
Build a professional control analyst resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your control analyst resume.
Compare different control analysts
Control analyst vs. Business operations analyst
A business operations analyst is an individual who identifies and solves issues related to the performance of the business operations. Together with the management and engineering departments, business operations analysts must analyze and review a vast amount of data to identify business opportunities. They must provide recommendations and updated policies so that they can improve the company's business performance. Business operations analysts are also required to create monthly reports and present them to upper management on their key findings and assessments.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between control analysts and business operations analyst. For instance, control analyst responsibilities require skills such as "internal controls," "risk assessments," "internal audit," and "corrective action." Whereas a business operations analyst is skilled in "provide management," "analyze data," "shared services," and "hr." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Business operations analysts really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $69,138. Comparatively, control analysts tend to make the most money in the energy industry with an average salary of $89,191.The education levels that business operations analysts earn slightly differ from control analysts. In particular, business operations analysts are 3.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a control analyst. Additionally, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Control analyst vs. Finance management analyst
A finance management analyst specializes in performing extensive research and analysis to devise strategies that can help a company achieve its long-term financial goals. Their responsibilities typically revolve around having an in-depth understanding of the company and its services, gathering and reviewing its financial history and other portfolios, and determining investment opportunities to earn a significant profit. Furthermore, a finance management analyst must report their findings and present action plans, providing a comprehensive explanation to officials, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real control analyst resumes. While control analyst responsibilities can utilize skills like "risk assessments," "internal audit," "customer service," and "project management," finance management analysts use skills like "financial management," "financial issues," "management reports," and "financial policies."
On average, finance management analysts earn a higher salary than control analysts. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, finance management analysts earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $85,442. Whereas control analysts have higher pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $89,191.In general, finance management analysts achieve higher levels of education than control analysts. They're 5.6% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for control analysts in the next 3-5 years?
Erik Johnson Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Economics, Carthage College
Control analyst vs. Business & data analyst
A business and data analyst is an individual who specializes in utilizing different data-centered strategies in providing analytical services to a company or an organization. Their duties focus on conducting extensive market research and assessments, organizing studies using various techniques and approaches, gathering and analyzing data, performing risk assessments, and spearheading activities such as interviews and surveys. They use their research findings to create plans, establish business forecasts and models, and recommend solutions to optimize business operations.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, control analysts are more likely to have skills like "internal controls," "risk assessments," "sox," and "internal audit." But a business & data analyst is more likely to have skills like "power bi," "visualization," "bi," and "data quality."
Business & data analysts make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $91,008. On the other hand, control analysts are paid the highest salary in the energy industry, with average annual pay of $89,191.When it comes to education, business & data analysts tend to earn higher degree levels compared to control analysts. In fact, they're 12.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Control analyst vs. Corporate finance analyst
Corporate finance analysts make significant business decisions based on the data they gather. Typically, corporate finance analysts work within an organization and support management decisions through actionable financial information. They monitor the taxes, expenses, financial statements, and other financial details of where the company sources its income. This position requires a formal qualification in accounting. It also necessitates the analyst to develop interpersonal skills, knowledge in information technology software, financial reporting skills, and experience in management.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between control analysts and corporate finance analysts, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a control analyst might have more use for skills like "risk assessments," "internal audit," "customer service," and "project management." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of corporate finance analysts require skills like "financial models," "hyperion," "financial performance," and "real estate. "
Corporate finance analysts enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $96,991. For comparison, control analysts earn the highest salary in the energy industry.In general, corporate finance analysts hold higher degree levels compared to control analysts. Corporate finance analysts are 5.9% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of control analyst
Updated January 8, 2025
