Controller vs finance manager

The differences between controllers and 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 finance manager. Additionally, a finance manager has an average salary of $101,374, 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 manager are financial analysis, CPA, and customer service.

Controller vs finance manager overview

	Controller	Finance Manager
Yearly salary	$101,204	$101,374
Hourly rate	$48.66	$48.74
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	75,440	125,345
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
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 finance manager do?

A finance manager is responsible for monitoring the financial system of a company. Their tasks include handling their organization's financial status, generating cost estimates and budget goals, identifying business opportunities to increase revenues and profitability, improving financial strategies, reducing costs, analyzing account statements, processing invoice as needed, analyzing market trends, searching potential partnerships, and presenting reports. A finance manager must have excellent analytical skills and knowledge of the accounting and financial industry. They are responsible for providing the best recommendations for the organization's growth.

Controller vs finance manager salary

Controllers and finance managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Controller	Finance Manager
Average salary	$101,204	$101,374
Salary range	Between $70,000 And $144,000	Between $71,000 And $144,000
Highest paying City	Portland, ME	New York, NY
Highest paying state	New York	New York
Best paying company	Perkins Coie	Barclays
Best paying industry	Technology	Finance

Differences between controller and finance manager education

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

	Controller	Finance Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common major	Accounting	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Controller vs finance manager demographics

Here are the differences between controllers' and finance managers' demographics:

	Controller	Finance Manager
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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 10.2% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between controller and finance manager 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.

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Finance manager example responsibilities.

Manage the preparation of monthly reporting packs and board presentations with robust variance analysis, commentaries and forward looking KPIs.
Manage a team of sales persons, business managers, sales manager, A/R, A/P, and general managers.
Lead successful sales team and provide direct oversight on overall dealership business profitability.
Manage accounts payable/receivable, deposits, payroll preparation, purchasing and inventory management, liaison to accountant.
Oversee financial analysis, financial audits, G/L, A/R, A/P and fixed-asset accounting in accordance with GAAP standards.
Execute simple SQL queries to validate data in tables.

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Controller vs finance manager skills

Common controller skills

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

Common finance manager skills

Financial Analysis, 7%
CPA, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
Hyperion, 4%
Financial Models, 4%
Strong Analytical, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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