Corporate controller vs projects controller

The differences between corporate controllers and projects controllers 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 projects controller takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a corporate controller has an average salary of $144,304, which is higher than the $79,451 average annual salary of a projects controller.

The top three skills for a corporate controller include payroll, CPA and GAAP. The most important skills for a projects controller are project management, financial analysis, and project controller.

Corporate controller vs projects controller overview

	Corporate Controller	Projects Controller
Yearly salary	$144,304	$79,451
Hourly rate	$69.38	$38.20
Growth rate	17%	6%
Number of jobs	57,715	16,334
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	46	44
Years of experience	8	4

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 projects controller do?

A project controller is responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of project management procedures, ensuring that the team adheres to the clients' specifications and requirements, and keeping all project resources and deliverables within the budget goals and set timeframe. Project controllers determine the progress of the project and coordinate the updates to the client, adjusting the project approach as needed to achieve high-quality standards and objectives. They also maintain an organized report of expenditures, as well as generating process reports to identify potential process improvement techniques that will maximize operational efficiency.

Corporate controller vs projects controller salary

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

	Corporate Controller	Projects Controller
Average salary	$144,304	$79,451
Salary range	Between $99,000 And $209,000	Between $53,000 And $118,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	California	New Jersey
Best paying company	SideCars	California Resources
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Finance

Differences between corporate controller and projects controller education

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

	Corporate Controller	Projects Controller
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Accounting	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Corporate controller vs projects controller demographics

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

	Corporate Controller	Projects Controller
Average age	46	44
Gender ratio	Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2%	Male, 55.9% Female, 44.1%
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, 8.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	7%

Differences between corporate controller and projects 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.

Projects controller example responsibilities.

Develop GAAP compliant reporting and manage software implementations.
Manage treasury, open several new accounts, establish new procedures and controls, monitor daily activity.
Prepare accruals and revenue recognition calculations.
Work with foremen and supervisors to ensure proper WBS elements are charged.
Set up and management of charge numbers according to an establish WBS and distribution of project authorizations to team members.
Process journal entries and accruals monthly to account for all orders, revenue, and cost in the appropriate period.

Corporate controller vs projects controller skills

Common corporate controller skills

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

Common projects controller skills

Project Management, 11%
Financial Analysis, 7%
Project Controller, 5%
Earned Value Management, 3%
Project Cost, 3%
Work Breakdown Structure, 3%

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Corporate Controller
Corporate Controller vs Projects Controller

Updated January 8, 2025

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