Corporate controller vs regional controller

The differences between corporate controllers and regional 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 regional controller. Additionally, a corporate controller has an average salary of $144,304, which is higher than the $102,904 average annual salary of a regional controller.

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

Corporate controller vs regional controller overview

	Corporate Controller	Regional Controller
Yearly salary	$144,304	$102,904
Hourly rate	$69.38	$49.47
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	57,715	57,984
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 80%
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 regional controller do?

It is the responsibility of a regional controller to manage the financial reports and finances of the company in a specific geographic location. The regional controllers prepare and coordinate financial reports to ensure compliance with corporate policy and government regulations. They oversee the accounting activities of the corporation. It is their job to coordinate and prepare both external and internal financial statements. They also need to develop skills and knowledge in internal controls, financial management, accounting, payroll, and financial performance.

Corporate controller vs regional controller salary

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

	Corporate Controller	Regional Controller
Average salary	$144,304	$102,904
Salary range	Between $99,000 And $209,000	Between $68,000 And $153,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	SideCars	Sharp
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Manufacturing

Differences between corporate controller and regional controller education

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

	Corporate Controller	Regional Controller
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Most common major	Accounting	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Corporate controller vs regional controller demographics

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

	Corporate Controller	Regional Controller
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2%	Male, 73.4% Female, 26.6%
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, 7.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 8.5% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between corporate controller and regional 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.

Regional controller example responsibilities.

Manage daily accounting, treasury, and investment functions.
Lead effort to document all significant processes to gain compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley guidelines including reconciliation criteria and coding guidelines.
Manage implementation and ongoing compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley financial accountability reporting, liaising with counterparts to ensure uniform application of standards.
Administer general ledger activity, including reconciliations, journal entries, and financial closing.
Prepare and process journal entries, including accounts receivable, inventory, prepay expenses and accruals.
Make all adjusting and closing journal entries, weekly, monthly, and quarterly, including accruals and inventory.

Corporate controller vs regional controller skills

Common corporate controller skills

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

Common regional controller skills

Internal Controls, 7%
CPA, 6%
Payroll, 6%
GAAP, 5%
Internal Audit, 4%
Financial Reports, 4%

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Corporate Controller
Corporate Controller vs Regional Controller

Updated January 8, 2025

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