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The differences between controllers and finance leaders 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 leader. Additionally, a finance leader has an average salary of $117,284, 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 leader are financial analysis, financial management, and business development.
| Controller | Finance Leader | |
| Yearly salary | $101,204 | $117,284 |
| Hourly rate | $48.66 | $56.39 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 75,440 | 93,582 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| 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.
The duties of a finance leader depend on one's place or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around monitoring the sales and financial operations in a company, preparing financial reports and statements, finding new sales opportunities, identifying the market and client needs, and maintaining records of all financial transactions. There are also instances where a finance leader may set and allocate budgets, perform audits in costs and expenditures, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Controllers and finance leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controller | Finance Leader | |
| Average salary | $101,204 | $117,284 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $144,000 | Between $78,000 And $174,000 |
| Highest paying City | Portland, ME | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Perkins Coie | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a controller and a finance leader in terms of educational background:
| Controller | Finance Leader | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Accounting |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between controllers' and finance leaders' demographics:
| Controller | Finance Leader | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.9% Female, 41.1% | Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0% |
| 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, 7.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 10.0% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |