Cost controller vs controller

The differences between cost controllers 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 controller, becoming a controller takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a controller has an average salary of $101,204, which is higher than the $76,697 average annual salary of a cost controller.

The top three skills for a cost controller include project management, cost analysis and financial statements. The most important skills for a controller are CPA, payroll processing, and reconciliations.

Cost controller vs controller overview

	Cost Controller	Controller
Yearly salary	$76,697	$101,204
Hourly rate	$36.87	$48.66
Growth rate	6%	17%
Number of jobs	17,477	75,440
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age	44	46
Years of experience	4	8

What does a cost controller do?

A Cost Controller manages the project costs. Cost Controllers' tasks include developing, controlling, planning, and forecasting the project's budget. They make sure that projects are completed within the approved budget and minimize the deflection from it. Cost Controllers should know about total cost management concepts, budget distribution, and setting a cost limit. They should also know how to detect issues, analyze cost reports, and value management. Being a cost controller also requires skills to effectively communicate the project's cost performance, concerns, and recovery plans to the project team.

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 controller vs controller salary

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

	Cost Controller	Controller
Average salary	$76,697	$101,204
Salary range	Between $51,000 And $114,000	Between $70,000 And $144,000
Highest paying City	Sunnyvale, CA	Portland, ME
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	New York
Best paying company	NOVA Chemicals	Perkins Coie
Best paying industry	Energy	Technology

Differences between cost controller and controller education

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

	Cost Controller	Controller
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common major	Accounting	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Cost controller vs controller demographics

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

	Cost Controller	Controller
Average age	44	46
Gender ratio	Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8%	Male, 58.9% Female, 41.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 13.4% White, 62.2% 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 controller and controller duties and responsibilities

Cost controller example responsibilities.

Improve project process by developing and implementing cost structure, then manage job-specific code of accounts for WBS approvals.
Manage treasury, open several new accounts, establish new procedures and controls, monitor daily activity.
Prepare monthly write-ups reports for the cost performance and EAC forecast
Identify wrongly charge WBS in order to control the budget release under each WBS element.
Facilitate capital project team's operating expense budgets, forecast, variance comments, accruals, and reporting.
Analyze purchase order commitment to calculate accruals.

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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 controller vs controller skills

Common cost controller skills

Project Management, 11%
Cost Analysis, 7%
Financial Statements, 6%
Cost Estimates, 6%
Variance Analysis, 5%
Cost Data, 5%

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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