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The differences between controllers and senior 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 senior finance manager. Additionally, a senior finance manager has an average salary of $133,358, 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 senior finance manager are hyperion, financial performance, and financial analysis.
| Controller | Senior Finance Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $101,204 | $133,358 |
| Hourly rate | $48.66 | $64.11 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 75,440 | 139,639 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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 senior finance manager is an individual who supervises financial department staff members as well as monitors the daily financial operations within a company. Senior finance managers must keep track of the financial status and performance of the company so that they can identify areas for potential improvement. They review financial data and prepare reports to be presented to the management to help them in their business decision making. Senior finance managers must also maintain policies within the company and should have a deep understanding of financial regulations and legislations.
Controllers and senior finance managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Controller | Senior Finance Manager | |
| Average salary | $101,204 | $133,358 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $144,000 | Between $95,000 And $185,000 |
| Highest paying City | Portland, ME | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Perkins Coie | Roku |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Professional |
There are a few differences between a controller and a senior finance manager in terms of educational background:
| Controller | Senior Finance Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Accounting |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between controllers' and senior finance managers' demographics:
| Controller | Senior Finance Manager | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.9% Female, 41.1% | Male, 70.3% Female, 29.7% |
| 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, 14.3% Asian, 10.0% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |