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The differences between controllers and finance 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 finance controller. Additionally, a finance controller has an average salary of $105,869, 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 finance controller are CPA, payroll, and financial controller.
| Controller | Finance Controller | |
| Yearly salary | $101,204 | $105,869 |
| Hourly rate | $48.66 | $50.90 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 75,440 | 97,342 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| 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 financial controller is primarily in charge of the daily finance activities and accounting functions of a company. Their responsibilities typically revolve around preparing and organizing financial reports, analyzing data and looking out for any discrepancies or inconsistencies, and overseeing the company's overall revenues and expenditures. A financial controller must also maintain documentation, participate in risk assessment and budgeting activities, and develop strategies for profit growth. Furthermore, one must coordinate with other department staff to ensure accuracy, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Controllers and finance controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controller | Finance Controller | |
| Average salary | $101,204 | $105,869 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $144,000 | Between $71,000 And $156,000 |
| Highest paying City | Portland, ME | Yonkers, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | Perkins Coie | Sage Memorial Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a controller and a finance controller in terms of educational background:
| Controller | Finance Controller | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Accounting |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between controllers' and finance controllers' demographics:
| Controller | Finance Controller | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.9% Female, 41.1% | Male, 61.5% Female, 38.5% |
| 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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 10.2% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |