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Controller/business manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. William Miller,

Aldo Musacchio Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical controller/business manager skills. We ranked the top skills for controller/business managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 14.3% of controller/business manager resumes contained oversight as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a controller/business manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 controller/business manager skills for your resume and career

1. Oversight

Having oversight of someone means to monitor a process or a situation. If someone has oversight of something, they are responsible for the completion of the project. Oversight is usually given to experts as they monitor their juniors or newbies as they go through a project.

Here's how controller/business managers use oversight:

Provide business management oversight for two separate corporations, furnishing budgeting and strategic management.
Managed seven lines of business relating to governance and oversight of OCC regulatory requirements.

2. Project Management

Here's how controller/business managers use project management:

Focused on analysis of financial performance and project management of initiatives to improve bottom line results.
Received multiple favorable evaluations from owners for construction quality and effective project management processes.

3. Internal Controls

Here's how controller/business managers use internal controls:

Analyzed internal controls prior to execution, promoting operational excellence within all Lines of Business and enterprise control functions.
Developed Internal controls, weekly inventory procedures, food cost analysis, management reports and budget development.

4. Business Controller

Here's how controller/business managers use business controller:

Drafted and composed written correspondence; Developed and enhanced job manual for Business Controller position.
Promoted, over 20 year career, through progressively more responsible positions to, in 1997, become Business Controller.

5. Internal Audit

Internal audit is an evaluation process that ensures that a company's risk management, governing body, and other internal processes are running effectively. People who perform internal audits must be highly qualified, have experience, and knowledge to work accordingly with the international standards and the code of ethics.

Here's how controller/business managers use internal audit:

Coordinated with internal auditors and PwC to enhance reporting effectiveness and controls.
Achieved consistently outstanding internal audit results through effective management of business controls.

6. CPA

Here's how controller/business managers use cpa:

Prepare all Sales Tax and Amusement Tax filings and work with CPA for Income Taxes completion and estimated payments.
Corresponded with all outside consultants, such as CPA firms, banks, attorneys, and insurance companies.

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7. Financial Analysis

Here's how controller/business managers use financial analysis:

Performed financial analysis of prospective business development and investment opportunities, including one for a $35M restaurant venture.
Developed monthly forecast and built financial analysis models, making department heads accountable for cost containment and reductions.

8. Business Management

Business management refers to a subject where coordination of all spheres of an organization's operations by planning comes into existence. It majorly concerns with issues about income and other factors such as the profitability of the business.

Here's how controller/business managers use business management:

Established internal financial and management controls for merging the New York and Philadelphia business management functions.
Received Business Management Exceptional Achievement Award (2002) for company-leading performance in all aspects of job functions.

9. SOX

Here's how controller/business managers use sox:

Provided quarterly financial reviews and monthly financial reviews to upper management in accordance with SOX and internal requirements.
Supervised quarterly testing and documentation of business controls and compliance with SOX requirements.

10. General Ledger

Here's how controller/business managers use general ledger:

Developed general ledger and journal system as well as account reconciliation procedures, including currency exchanges and full financial statement package.
Review general ledger balances for proper classification and accuracy by cost center and general ledger accounts.

11. GAAP

Here's how controller/business managers use gaap:

Prepared parent and subsidiary financial statements in accordance to GAAP for presentation to Management Committee and Board of Directors.
Ensured compliance with internal procedures, corporate policies, FAR, and GAAP.

12. Balance Sheet Accounts

Here's how controller/business managers use balance sheet accounts:

Manage proof of balance sheet accounts process for review with senior management.
Lead an assistance project extended to country in order to clear ageing items on balance sheet accounts.

13. Hyperion

Here's how controller/business managers use hyperion:

Developed financial reporting package in Hyperion.
Supervised seven manufacturing plants and the business unit ledgers in SAP and Hyperion.

14. Financial Data

Here's how controller/business managers use financial data:

Partnered with unit heads to deliver critical financial data for ensuring optimum revenue and productivity.
Consolidate and report financial data for eight diverse businesses with revenues totaling over $300M and 600+ staff members.

15. Payroll Taxes

Here's how controller/business managers use payroll taxes:

Completed monthly, quarterly and annual preparations and reconciliations for all payroll taxes.

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What skills help Controller/Business Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on controller/business manager resumes?

Dr. William Miller

Professor of Accounting, University of Wisconsin

While a student can get an accounting degree with one hundred twenty credits, virtually all employers want their new hires to graduate with the requisite one hundred fifty credits to make them eligible to sit for the CPA exam (whether they intend to sit for it or not). Ninety-nine percent of our students graduate with one hundred fifty credits, most often with a double major. Historically that second major has been finance, however, that has changed. The gold standard of double majors is now accounting and information systems. It is not just me saying that, but the employers as well.

The entire world is data driven, every college of business needs to add course work that teaches students how to analyze and interpret data. Not just accounting, but every college of business degree. A resume highlighting either a second major in information systems or completing course work in data helps to set students above the fray. We have added a data analytics course to our accounting program as well as having incorporated integrated data analytics into several other courses, as well.

Highlighting expertise in the use of Microsoft Excel on a resume (perhaps gained through both course work and internship experience) also will stand out.

The above examples are all required, pandemic or not, but with the pandemic, essential skills, like the ability to work independently, communicate effectively, solve unstructured problems, and think critically, have taken on much more importance. Luckily, these are all attributes that we help our students develop throughout our program.

While I am a full time professor, I do a fair amount of consulting and just completed a two and a half year stint as the Chief Financial Officer of a struggling business. The last two years of that work were done entirely remotely. The technologies we have available today to stay connected, share data, communicate, and collaborate all exist and are phenomenal. Microsoft 365 including Teams (I prefer this over Zoom, Skype, etc.) has been a gamechanger for both industry and academia. I can't imagine how any of us would have gotten through the last eighteen months without these products. Our students are well versed in all these products and have been experiencing their use in most of their classes in some form or another in the last year. So, they will start their careers already experienced in how to use them.

What soft skills should all controller/business managers possess?

Aldo Musacchio Ph.D.

Professor, Program Director of the MBA, Brandeis University

When we talk to employers, they usually tell you they want students who know how to listen and drive. They want someone who is going to be happy to be in the company, who is going to participate actively in meetings and teams, and who is going to be good at listening and the following guidance.

What hard/technical skills are most important for controller/business managers?

Aldo Musacchio Ph.D.

Professor, Program Director of the MBA, Brandeis University

Lately, employers appreciate software skills to manipulate data, like some knowledge of Python or R, and information visualization software like Tableau. Many companies have their databases in SQL format, and having the capacity to work with it is key. Interestingly, digital marketing and social media skills also get a lot of traction as many employers do not know how to keep and manage a presence in social media, especially in Instagram, and may not be as good as students using tools like Google Analytics.

What controller/business manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Kim Roberts

Professor of Operations Management, Website

Business professionals lead organizations by focused efforts that revolve around products/services, processes, and people. Business professionals work to ensure the firm's products and/or services meet customer expectations, with an eye toward an ever-changing market. They manage processes that produce or support the firm's products. This requires the ability to analyze data to make informed decisions, to drive continuous improvement, and to solve problems through critical thinking. Successful business professionals must also create climates that promote teamwork and foster collaboration.

What type of skills will young controller/business managers need?

Patrick Scott Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Economics, Louisiana Tech University

I think the importance of critical thinking and reasoning skills cannot be overstated enough. In this area, economics shines. Additionally, analytical and quantitative skills are more important than ever. Businesses continue to make the shift towards data-driven decision making. The ability to quickly analyze data and correctly assign an interpretation or meaning to that data is an important job market skill. With just a little bit of economic intuition, combined data science skills, business economics majors are uniquely positioned for success in the job market of tomorrow.

Do you want to know more?

List of controller/business manager skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a controller/business manager resume and required skills for a controller/business manager to have include:

Oversight
Project Management
Internal Controls
Business Controller
Internal Audit
CPA
Financial Analysis
Business Management
SOX
General Ledger
GAAP
Balance Sheet Accounts
Hyperion
Financial Data
Payroll Taxes
Reconciliations

External Auditors
Management Reports
Cash Flow
Financial Performance
R
Business Operations
Real Estate
KPIs
Financial Results
Due Diligence
Treasury
Human Resources
Business Processes
Business Development
Journal Entries
ERP

Financial Management
Variance Analysis
Direct Reports
Financial Forecasts
A/P
Sarbanes-Oxley
Financial Operations
Financial Controls
Financial Support
Financial Aspects
Cost Savings
Simplification
Equities
Financial Functions
ROI

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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