Cost accountant vs controller

The differences between cost accountants and controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a cost accountant, becoming a controller takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a controller has an average salary of $101,204, which is higher than the $60,528 average annual salary of a cost accountant.

The top three skills for a cost accountant include reconciliations, variance analysis and GAAP. The most important skills for a controller are CPA, payroll processing, and reconciliations.

Cost accountant vs controller overview

	Cost Accountant	Controller
Yearly salary	$60,528	$101,204
Hourly rate	$29.10	$48.66
Growth rate	6%	17%
Number of jobs	39,925	75,440
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age	44	46
Years of experience	4	8

What does a cost accountant do?

A cost accountant specializes in determining the total cost incurred by a company from producing goods and services. Through the various financial data they collect, the cost accountant will devise plans and strategies that will be a vital factor in the next budget and marketing preparations of a company. Aside from this, a cost accountant is responsible for various tasks such as conducting research and analysis in different areas, keeping financial records and inventory, producing financial reports involving profitability and expenditures, and proposing a budget and other financial plans.

What does a controller do?

Controllers are employees in the accounting department who manage the finances of the organization. They are involved in the budget setting activity at the start of the company's fiscal year. Controllers are responsible for ensuring that all departments work within their respective budgets. They have the power to recommend budget cuts due to any unforeseen circumstances that may happen. They also have the ability to veto or forego budget items. Controllers should have accounting skills and auditing skills. They must also be trustworthy and should work with integrity.

Cost accountant vs controller salary

Cost accountants and controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Cost Accountant	Controller
Average salary	$60,528	$101,204
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $81,000	Between $70,000 And $144,000
Highest paying City	Edison, NJ	Portland, ME
Highest paying state	New Jersey	New York
Best paying company	Google	Perkins Coie
Best paying industry	Energy	Technology

Differences between cost accountant and controller education

There are a few differences between a cost accountant and a controller in terms of educational background:

	Cost Accountant	Controller
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common major	Accounting	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Cost accountant vs controller demographics

Here are the differences between cost accountants' and controllers' demographics:

	Cost Accountant	Controller
Average age	44	46
Gender ratio	Male, 52.6% Female, 47.4%	Male, 58.9% Female, 41.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 12.2% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	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%
LGBT Percentage	7%	11%

Differences between cost accountant and controller duties and responsibilities

Cost accountant example responsibilities.

Manage ledgers and perform month end journal entries.
Manage the payroll with ADP system and account receivable.
Manage costing control as well as accounts payable (A/P) and accounts receivable (A/R).
Prepare internal financial reports for treasury manage accounts include in external compliance reports.
Prepare raw material and WIP inventory reconciliations.
Develop tracking of GAAP inventory valuation for all inventory inherit from the bankrupt former company.

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Controller example responsibilities.

Manage NAV production, calculation of performance fees, IFRS accounts and subscription/redemption analysis.
Lead transition of company from sole proprietor to NYSE list company subsidiary, including implementing new financial reporting system.
Manage a team of junior staff accountants and maintaining quality control throughout the entire monthly billing, A/P & A/R processes.
Manage treasury, open several new accounts, establish new procedures and controls, monitor daily activity.
Produce monthly account reconciliations, post monthly journal entries and review, analyze, correct and issue monthly comparative financial statements.
Perform accounting research and special projects as required including cash flow analysis, cost projections, reconciliations and other financial analysis.

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Cost accountant vs controller skills

Common cost accountant skills

Reconciliations, 9%
Variance Analysis, 6%
GAAP, 4%
Account Reconciliations, 3%
Cost Analysis, 3%
Financial Analysis, 3%

Common controller skills

CPA, 8%
Payroll Processing, 7%
Reconciliations, 6%
Cash Management, 5%
Internal Controls, 5%
GAAP, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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