Corporate controller vs cost accounting manager

The differences between corporate controllers and cost accounting 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 corporate controller and a cost accounting manager. Additionally, a corporate controller has an average salary of $144,304, which is higher than the $89,286 average annual salary of a cost accounting manager.

The top three skills for a corporate controller include payroll, CPA and GAAP. The most important skills for a cost accounting manager are variance analysis, financial analysis, and reconciliations.

Corporate controller vs cost accounting manager overview

	Corporate Controller	Cost Accounting Manager
Yearly salary	$144,304	$89,286
Hourly rate	$69.38	$42.93
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	57,715	61,135
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	8	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 cost accounting manager do?

A cost accounting manager is responsible for analyzing and evaluating pricing and costing systems of the goods and services of an organization, ensuring its adherence to the internal guidelines and state regulations. Cost accounting managers review business and financial transactions to generate accounting reports for management reference. They also identify business opportunities that would provide revenue resources and profits by monitoring industry trends and public demands. A cost accounting manager must have excellent analytical skills and accounting principles knowledge, especially in resolving account and expense discrepancies.

Corporate controller vs cost accounting manager salary

Corporate controllers and cost accounting managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Corporate Controller	Cost Accounting Manager
Average salary	$144,304	$89,286
Salary range	Between $99,000 And $209,000	Between $67,000 And $118,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	California	Connecticut
Best paying company	SideCars	Microsoft
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Manufacturing

Differences between corporate controller and cost accounting manager education

There are a few differences between a corporate controller and a cost accounting manager in terms of educational background:

	Corporate Controller	Cost Accounting Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common major	Accounting	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Corporate controller vs cost accounting manager demographics

Here are the differences between corporate controllers' and cost accounting managers' demographics:

	Corporate Controller	Cost Accounting Manager
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2%	Male, 71.7% Female, 28.3%
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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 9.2% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between corporate controller and cost accounting manager 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.

Cost accounting manager example responsibilities.

Manage the monthly analysis of variances which include PPV, MUV, substitution and labor.
Lead ERP system integration team and restructure manufacturing accounting system of newly acquire facility.
Manage payroll and all taxation matters, coordinate independent audit; communicate with outside organizations and agencies.
Direct the development, administration, and standards necessary to maintain financial controls in compliance with GAAP and SOX.
Provide financial management of inventories for multiple facilities to include book-to-physical account reconciliations, inventory projections and reduction plans.
Maintain standard cost integrity including annual standard changes, inventory valuation, monthly closings, account reconciliations and annual budgeting.

Corporate controller vs cost accounting manager skills

Common corporate controller skills

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

Common cost accounting manager skills

Variance Analysis, 5%
Financial Analysis, 5%
Reconciliations, 4%
Financial Reports, 4%
Product Cost, 4%
ERP, 4%

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Corporate Controller
Corporate Controller vs Cost Accounting Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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