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The differences between controllers and business manager-finance managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a controller and a business manager-finance manager. Additionally, a business manager-finance manager has an average salary of $106,036, which is higher than the $101,204 average annual salary of a controller.
The top three skills for a controller include CPA, payroll processing and reconciliations. The most important skills for a business manager-finance manager are financial analysis, project management, and financial management.
| Controller | Business Manager-Finance Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $101,204 | $106,036 |
| Hourly rate | $48.66 | $50.98 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 75,440 | 180,161 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
Controllers are employees in the accounting department who manage the finances of the organization. They are involved in the budget setting activity at the start of the company's fiscal year. Controllers are responsible for ensuring that all departments work within their respective budgets. They have the power to recommend budget cuts due to any unforeseen circumstances that may happen. They also have the ability to veto or forego budget items. Controllers should have accounting skills and auditing skills. They must also be trustworthy and should work with integrity.
A business manager/finance manager is responsible for handling the financial transactions of an organization, analyzing financial reports, and monitor investment activities. Business managers/finance managers strategize effective techniques to boost the organization's financial performance and identify business opportunities to increase revenues. They also prepare financial statements and assist senior management in making corporate decisions by conducting data and statistical analysis by studying market trends. A business manager/finance manager must have excellent critical thinking and analytical skills, especially in calculating costs and expenses to minimize the company's loss and stabilize profits.
Controllers and business manager-finance managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controller | Business Manager-Finance Manager | |
| Average salary | $101,204 | $106,036 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $144,000 | Between $73,000 And $152,000 |
| Highest paying City | Portland, ME | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Perkins Coie | ZS |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a controller and a business manager-finance manager in terms of educational background:
| Controller | Business Manager-Finance Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between controllers' and business manager-finance managers' demographics:
| Controller | Business Manager-Finance Manager | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.9% Female, 41.1% | Male, 58.8% Female, 41.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 9.4% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 10.0% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |