Corporate controller vs plant controller

The differences between corporate controllers and plant 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 plant controller. Additionally, a corporate controller has an average salary of $144,304, which is higher than the $99,550 average annual salary of a plant controller.

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

Corporate controller vs plant controller overview

	Corporate Controller	Plant Controller
Yearly salary	$144,304	$99,550
Hourly rate	$69.38	$47.86
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	57,715	47,555
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 77%
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 plant controller do?

A plant controller works at factories where they are primarily in charge of administrative duties and ensuring that operations adhere to budgets, schedules, and standards. As a plant controller, they are also responsible for gathering and analyzing financial data, analyzing cost reports, preparing financial statements, maintaining databases, performing audits and risk assessments, and overseeing the accounting team procedures. Additionally, they also supervise staff operations and address issues and concerns while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Corporate controller vs plant controller salary

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

	Corporate Controller	Plant Controller
Average salary	$144,304	$99,550
Salary range	Between $99,000 And $209,000	Between $72,000 And $136,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Reno, NV
Highest paying state	California	Nevada
Best paying company	SideCars	Arkema
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Finance

Differences between corporate controller and plant controller education

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

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

Corporate controller vs plant controller demographics

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

	Corporate Controller	Plant Controller
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2%	Male, 75.9% Female, 24.1%
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, 8.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 7.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between corporate controller and plant 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.

Plant controller example responsibilities.

Manage and correct balance sheet issues including property taxes, miscellaneous accruals, inventories, and capital work- in-progress accounts.
Implement Sarbanes-Oxley internal control policy and procedures which lead to successful annual internal and external audits.
Manage general accounting functions, including monthly financial statements and audit reports, and monthly account reconciliations.
Manage monthly closing process including, account reconciliations, account analysis, preparation of monthly financial statements and other management reports.
Participate in the implementation of an ERP system that accomplish key strategic initiatives including job costing and a perpetual inventory system.
SAP (at the plant level) and Hyperion (at the corporate level) are used in financial reporting.

Corporate controller vs plant controller skills

Common corporate controller skills

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

Common plant controller skills

Internal Controls, 6%
GAAP, 5%
Plant Management, 5%
Continuous Improvement, 5%
Reconciliations, 4%
Financial Analysis, 4%

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Corporate Controller
Corporate Controller vs Plant Controller

Updated January 8, 2025

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