Controller vs corporate controller

The differences between controllers and corporate controllers 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 corporate controller. Additionally, a corporate controller has an average salary of $144,304, 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 corporate controller are payroll, CPA, and GAAP.

Controller vs corporate controller overview

	Controller	Corporate Controller
Yearly salary	$101,204	$144,304
Hourly rate	$48.66	$69.38
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	75,440	57,715
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	8	8

What does a controller do?

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.

What does a corporate controller do?

A corporate controller is an individual who is responsible for supervising the overall daily accounting operations of an organization. Integral to the financial health of the organization, corporate controllers are required to help the organization with strategic financial decisions through forecasting reports and financial statements. They oversee maintaining accounting records by keeping and storing them in an operable system. Corporate controllers are also required to manage the accounting operations of the organization's subsidiaries.

Controller vs corporate controller salary

Controllers and corporate controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Controller	Corporate Controller
Average salary	$101,204	$144,304
Salary range	Between $70,000 And $144,000	Between $99,000 And $209,000
Highest paying City	Portland, ME	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	New York	California
Best paying company	Perkins Coie	SideCars
Best paying industry	Technology	Manufacturing

Differences between controller and corporate controller education

There are a few differences between a controller and a corporate controller in terms of educational background:

	Controller	Corporate Controller
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common major	Accounting	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Controller vs corporate controller demographics

Here are the differences between controllers' and corporate controllers' demographics:

	Controller	Corporate Controller
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 58.9% Female, 41.1%	Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2%
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, 7.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 9.4% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between controller and corporate controller duties and responsibilities

Controller example responsibilities.

Manage NAV production, calculation of performance fees, IFRS accounts and subscription/redemption analysis.
Lead transition of company from sole proprietor to NYSE list company subsidiary, including implementing new financial reporting system.
Manage a team of junior staff accountants and maintaining quality control throughout the entire monthly billing, A/P & A/R processes.
Manage treasury, open several new accounts, establish new procedures and controls, monitor daily activity.
Produce monthly account reconciliations, post monthly journal entries and review, analyze, correct and issue monthly comparative financial statements.
Perform accounting research and special projects as required including cash flow analysis, cost projections, reconciliations and other financial analysis.

Corporate controller example responsibilities.

Manage general accounting staff (A/P, A/R, & G/L), financial planning, reporting and analysis functions.
Direct and manage all aspects of the external audit, including implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.
Lead implementation of SyteLine ERP solution to replace outdate manufacturing software and streamline manufacturing and transaction processes.
Develop long-term financial/ operational strategy for high-tech company as well as managed accounting, finance, and treasury operations.
Facilitate maintenance of treasury and risk management activity serving as primary point of contact for all financially relate matters.
Implement procedures for standard journal entries, monthly reconciliations, account analysis and documentation to support the monthly reporting requirements.

Controller vs corporate controller skills

Common controller skills

CPA, 8%
Payroll Processing, 7%
Reconciliations, 6%
Cash Management, 5%
Internal Controls, 5%
GAAP, 5%

Common corporate controller skills

Payroll, 7%
CPA, 6%
GAAP, 6%
Internal Controls, 6%
External Auditors, 5%
General Ledger, 3%

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Controller vs Corporate Controller

Updated January 8, 2025

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