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The differences between division controllers and cost accounting managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a division controller and a cost accounting manager. Additionally, a division controller has an average salary of $110,117, which is higher than the $89,286 average annual salary of a cost accounting manager.
The top three skills for a division controller include GAAP, internal controls and CPA. The most important skills for a cost accounting manager are variance analysis, financial analysis, and reconciliations.
| Division Controller | Cost Accounting Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $110,117 | $89,286 |
| Hourly rate | $52.94 | $42.93 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 41,679 | 61,135 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
A division controller is typically in charge of overseeing a company division's financial activities and human resources operations. Their role is to set objectives and guidelines, perform audits and assessments, evaluate the workforce performance, handle budgets and timelines, and develop strategies to optimize processes. They must monitor the progress of activities and projects, producing regular reports and presentations to keep the executives informed. Furthermore, as a division controller, it is essential to lead staff and implement the company's policies and regulations.
A cost accounting manager is responsible for analyzing and evaluating pricing and costing systems of the goods and services of an organization, ensuring its adherence to the internal guidelines and state regulations. Cost accounting managers review business and financial transactions to generate accounting reports for management reference. They also identify business opportunities that would provide revenue resources and profits by monitoring industry trends and public demands. A cost accounting manager must have excellent analytical skills and accounting principles knowledge, especially in resolving account and expense discrepancies.
Division controllers and cost accounting managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Division Controller | Cost Accounting Manager | |
| Average salary | $110,117 | $89,286 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $158,000 | Between $67,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | Concord, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Illinois | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | KLA | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a division controller and a cost accounting manager in terms of educational background:
| Division Controller | Cost Accounting Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Accounting |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between division controllers' and cost accounting managers' demographics:
| Division Controller | Cost Accounting Manager | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.8% Female, 22.2% | Male, 71.7% Female, 28.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 8.5% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 9.2% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |