How To Become A Controller, Vice President: What It Is and Career Path

What is a controller, vice president and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

D. Pace Porter

A controller, vice president oversees a company's accounting and financial records. They manage the accounting staff and maintain controls to see that money and other assets are used appropriately. They earn a median salary of $156,000 annually or $75 per hour.

A controller, vice president handles sales tax and income tax reporting. They supervise the processing of transactions such as billings, accounts payable, payroll, collections, and cash receipts. They handle lots of paperwork and work with internal and external auditors to go over the financial records. They have excellent analytical, math, and communication skills.

An average controller, vice president holds a bachelor's degree in accounting, or business, or other related fields. Some of them also have years of experience under their belts, which some employers prefer. It is a highly sought-after position and the competition is great, so it will help to have a master's degree, as that can be an added advantage.

What general advice would you give to a controller, vice president?

D. Pace Porter

Assistant Professor, South College

The accounting profession is made up of several disciplines and is inherent in all businesses from small and medium size to large, publicly traded global companies. You should have a solid idea of where you want to begin. Private industry accounting, which industry, general accounting or tax; or public accounting with a CPA firm and audit, tax or advisory services within that type organization? These are some of the questions that you must answer for yourself, as well as for the potential interviewer. You should have the information necessary to help you answer those after completing your degree and taking all of the required accounting courses. I would also advise you to focus on general skills such as written and oral communication, technology (Excel and beyond), attention to detail, time management and above all, professional integrity.

ScoreController, Vice PresidentUS Average

Salary

9.2

Avg. Salary $161,965

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.8

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.34%

Asian 8.85%

Black or African American 7.87%

Hispanic or Latino 15.18%

Unknown 4.12%

White 63.64%

Gender

female 23.47%

male 76.53%

Age - 46

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 - 46

Stress level

7.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a controller, vice president

Explore controller, vice president education requirements

Most common controller, vice president degrees

Bachelor's

77.3 %

Master's

18.1 %

Associate

3.1 %

Start to develop specific controller, vice president skills

Skills	Percentages
Risk Management	10.03%
Oversight	8.97%
Internal Controls	5.63%
CPA	4.46%
Internal Audit	4.10%

Research controller, vice president duties and responsibilities

Manage a professional staff of 8 responsible for A/R, A/P, inventory control, billing, and collections.
Lead the implementation of global processes and documentation requirements aim at meeting Sarbanes-Oxley requirements one year early.
Manage regulatory and financial reporting functions, taxation, foreign exchange, treasury, and company administrative matters.
Lead implementation of new worldwide consolidation system, Hyperion, significantly reducing closing time and improving controls over the consolidation process.

Get controller, vice president experience

Generally, it takes 6-8 years to become a controller, vice president. The most common roles before becoming a controller, vice president include controller, chief finance officer team lead and senior accountant.

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