How To Become A Controller/Office Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a controller/office manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Janet Tarase

The average controller/office manager salary is $102,143. The most common degree is a bachelor's degree degree with an accounting major. It usually takes 4-6 years of experience to become a controller/office manager. Controller/office managers with a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 7% and produce 12,600 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a controller/office manager?

Janet Tarase

Lead Accounting Faculty / Accounting Department Chair, Red Rocks Community College

Create a vision board to set your yearly objectives and a long-term strategic plan that includes your professional and personal goal aspirations; be prepared to modify both of these guides as things change in your life. Join LinkedIn, if you haven't already, update it and make sure it is current. Make connections with a local professionals' group and create a network of like-minded, goal-oriented individuals. Also find a mentor or ask senior employees for their advice and counseling. Clean up your social media accounts or at the very least mark your questionable content as private so you are not sharing it publicly; become the professional you want to be. Continue your professional development, either through your employer, free online programs, or by furthering your education. Keep track of your accomplishments and continue to update your biography and resume. Finally, be appreciative and modest - thank those that help you and make sure to acknowledge those who participated in your successes.

ScoreController/Office ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.7

Avg. Salary $102,143

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.6

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.40%

Asian 5.71%

Black or African American 7.65%

Hispanic or Latino 11.14%

Unknown 5.09%

White 70.01%

Gender

female 77.17%

male 22.83%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Stress level

8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a controller/office manager

Explore controller/office manager education requirements

Most common controller/office manager degrees

Bachelor's

57.0 %

Associate

23.4 %

Master's

8.0 %

Start to develop specific controller/office manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Reconciliations	9.40%
General Ledger Accounts	6.61%
Human Resources	5.63%
Bank Reconciliations	4.52%
Purchase Orders	4.34%

Research controller/office manager duties and responsibilities

Work extensively in credit office; manage credit office, human resources, payroll, customer service and gift-wrapping services.
Manage AR and AP including approval of all budgets, customer credit terms, payment status, and weekly vendor payments.
Manage monthly financial statement close process including preparation and review of reconciliations, journal entries, supporting schedules and financial statements.
Complete account and bank reconciliations, prepare payroll, payroll tax reports, generate weekly/monthly/yearly budgets and forecasts.

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