Controller vs plant controller

The differences between controllers and plant 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 plant controller. Additionally, a controller has an average salary of $101,204, which is higher than the $99,550 average annual salary of a plant controller.

The top three skills for a controller include CPA, payroll processing and reconciliations. The most important skills for a plant controller are internal controls, GAAP, and plant management.

Controller vs plant controller overview

	Controller	Plant Controller
Yearly salary	$101,204	$99,550
Hourly rate	$48.66	$47.86
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	75,440	47,555
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 plant controller do?

A plant controller works at factories where they are primarily in charge of administrative duties and ensuring that operations adhere to budgets, schedules, and standards. As a plant controller, they are also responsible for gathering and analyzing financial data, analyzing cost reports, preparing financial statements, maintaining databases, performing audits and risk assessments, and overseeing the accounting team procedures. Additionally, they also supervise staff operations and address issues and concerns while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Controller vs plant controller salary

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

	Controller	Plant Controller
Average salary	$101,204	$99,550
Salary range	Between $70,000 And $144,000	Between $72,000 And $136,000
Highest paying City	Portland, ME	Reno, NV
Highest paying state	New York	Nevada
Best paying company	Perkins Coie	Arkema
Best paying industry	Technology	Finance

Differences between controller and plant controller education

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

	Controller	Plant 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 plant controller demographics

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

	Controller	Plant Controller
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 58.9% Female, 41.1%	Male, 75.9% Female, 24.1%
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, 8.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 7.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between controller and plant 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.

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Plant controller example responsibilities.

Manage and correct balance sheet issues including property taxes, miscellaneous accruals, inventories, and capital work- in-progress accounts.
Implement Sarbanes-Oxley internal control policy and procedures which lead to successful annual internal and external audits.
Manage general accounting functions, including monthly financial statements and audit reports, and monthly account reconciliations.
Manage monthly closing process including, account reconciliations, account analysis, preparation of monthly financial statements and other management reports.
Participate in the implementation of an ERP system that accomplish key strategic initiatives including job costing and a perpetual inventory system.
SAP (at the plant level) and Hyperion (at the corporate level) are used in financial reporting.

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Controller vs plant controller skills

Common controller skills

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

Common plant controller skills

Internal Controls, 6%
GAAP, 5%
Plant Management, 5%
Continuous Improvement, 5%
Reconciliations, 4%
Financial Analysis, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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