Corporate controller vs chief finance officer

The differences between corporate controllers and chief finance officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a corporate controller, becoming a chief finance officer takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, a corporate controller has an average salary of $144,304, which is higher than the $143,947 average annual salary of a chief finance officer.

The top three skills for a corporate controller include payroll, CPA and GAAP. The most important skills for a chief finance officer are payroll, CPA, and oversight.

Corporate controller vs chief finance officer overview

	Corporate Controller	Chief Finance Officer
Yearly salary	$144,304	$143,947
Hourly rate	$69.38	$69.21
Growth rate	17%	6%
Number of jobs	57,715	145,184
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	46	52
Years of experience	8	-

What does a corporate controller do?

A corporate controller is an individual who is responsible for supervising the overall daily accounting operations of an organization. Integral to the financial health of the organization, corporate controllers are required to help the organization with strategic financial decisions through forecasting reports and financial statements. They oversee maintaining accounting records by keeping and storing them in an operable system. Corporate controllers are also required to manage the accounting operations of the organization's subsidiaries.

What does a chief finance officer do?

A chief financial officer is responsible for managing and reviewing the financial status of a company. Chief financial officers' duties include ensuring the accuracy of financial reports, monitoring the company's expenses and budget goals, providing recommendations to prevent financial loss and increase revenues, processing the company's tax obligations, and resolving financial disputes. A chief financial officer must have an impeccable knowledge of the financial industry, updated with the current market trend, and strong leadership and decision-making skills to support the organization's financial department.

Corporate controller vs chief finance officer salary

Corporate controllers and chief finance officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Corporate Controller	Chief Finance Officer
Average salary	$144,304	$143,947
Salary range	Between $99,000 And $209,000	Between $80,000 And $257,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	SideCars	Baker McKenzie
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Construction

Differences between corporate controller and chief finance officer education

There are a few differences between a corporate controller and a chief finance officer in terms of educational background:

	Corporate Controller	Chief Finance Officer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Accounting	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Corporate controller vs chief finance officer demographics

Here are the differences between corporate controllers' and chief finance officers' demographics:

	Corporate Controller	Chief Finance Officer
Average age	46	52
Gender ratio	Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2%	Male, 71.9% Female, 28.1%
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, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.7% White, 76.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	11%	12%

Differences between corporate controller and chief finance officer duties and responsibilities

Corporate controller example responsibilities.

Manage general accounting staff (A/P, A/R, & G/L), financial planning, reporting and analysis functions.
Direct and manage all aspects of the external audit, including implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.
Lead implementation of SyteLine ERP solution to replace outdate manufacturing software and streamline manufacturing and transaction processes.
Develop long-term financial/ operational strategy for high-tech company as well as managed accounting, finance, and treasury operations.
Facilitate maintenance of treasury and risk management activity serving as primary point of contact for all financially relate matters.
Implement procedures for standard journal entries, monthly reconciliations, account analysis and documentation to support the monthly reporting requirements.

Chief finance officer example responsibilities.

Lead management team in developing and executing a combination of pricing and cost savings strategies that improve EBITDA more than threefold.
Lead the consolidation of financial and operational systems for non-acute services including rehabilitation and psychiatry services.
Lead system conversion to Hyperion planning budgeting/forecasting software, responsible for training, developing and implementation.
Manage all firm banking relationships, treasury functions and retain signatory authority for all partnership and corporate accounts.
Lead implementation of new worldwide consolidation system, Hyperion, significantly reducing closing time and improving controls over the consolidation process.
Prepare annual general ledger reconciliations and consolidate financial reports for CPA tax preparation.

Corporate controller vs chief finance officer skills

Common corporate controller skills

Payroll, 7%
CPA, 6%
GAAP, 6%
Internal Controls, 6%
External Auditors, 5%
General Ledger, 3%

Common chief finance officer skills

Payroll, 7%
CPA, 6%
Oversight, 5%
Financial Reports, 4%
Human Resources, 4%
Internal Controls, 4%

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Corporate Controller
Corporate Controller vs Chief Finance Officer

Updated January 8, 2025

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