Corporate controller vs division controller

The differences between corporate controllers and division controllers 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 division controller. Additionally, a corporate controller has an average salary of $144,304, which is higher than the $110,117 average annual salary of a division controller.

The top three skills for a corporate controller include payroll, CPA and GAAP. The most important skills for a division controller are GAAP, internal controls, and CPA.

Corporate controller vs division controller overview

	Corporate Controller	Division Controller
Yearly salary	$144,304	$110,117
Hourly rate	$69.38	$52.94
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	57,715	41,679
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 division controller do?

A division controller is typically in charge of overseeing a company division's financial activities and human resources operations. Their role is to set objectives and guidelines, perform audits and assessments, evaluate the workforce performance, handle budgets and timelines, and develop strategies to optimize processes. They must monitor the progress of activities and projects, producing regular reports and presentations to keep the executives informed. Furthermore, as a division controller, it is essential to lead staff and implement the company's policies and regulations.

Corporate controller vs division controller salary

Corporate controllers and division controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Corporate Controller	Division Controller
Average salary	$144,304	$110,117
Salary range	Between $99,000 And $209,000	Between $76,000 And $158,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Concord, CA
Highest paying state	California	Illinois
Best paying company	SideCars	KLA
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Construction

Differences between corporate controller and division controller education

There are a few differences between a corporate controller and a division controller in terms of educational background:

	Corporate Controller	Division Controller
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 division controller demographics

Here are the differences between corporate controllers' and division controllers' demographics:

	Corporate Controller	Division Controller
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2%	Male, 77.8% Female, 22.2%
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, 8.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 8.5% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between corporate controller and division controller 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.

Division controller example responsibilities.

Develop long-term financial/ operational strategy for high-tech company as well as managed accounting, finance, and treasury operations.
Provide and interpret monthly portfolio financial results ensuring proper GAAP treatment of accounting transactions.
Review monthly balance sheet reconciliations to general ledger, sub-ledgers and independent supporting documentation.
Identify over $400K in book gain previously unrecognize by outside CPA firm during annual audit.
Plan and develop proper procedures to have an accurate and smooth physical count acceptable to hire CPA firm.
Implement new ERP accounting systems, providing ability to fully job-cost by job/location/salesperson.

Corporate controller vs division controller skills

Common corporate controller skills

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

Common division controller skills

GAAP, 6%
Internal Controls, 6%
CPA, 6%
Payroll, 5%
Financial Analysis, 4%
Oversight, 4%

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Corporate Controller
Corporate Controller vs Division Controller

Updated January 8, 2025

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