Division controller vs finance director

The differences between division controllers and finance directors 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 finance director. Additionally, a finance director has an average salary of $118,518, which is higher than the $110,117 average annual salary of a division controller.

The top three skills for a division controller include GAAP, internal controls and CPA. The most important skills for a finance director are CPA, financial analysis, and payroll.

Division controller vs finance director overview

	Division Controller	Finance Director
Yearly salary	$110,117	$118,518
Hourly rate	$52.94	$56.98
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	41,679	90,012
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 78%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	8	8

What does a division controller do?

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.

What does a finance director do?

A finance director's role is to oversee all financial activities and aspects of a company or organization. One of their duties is to gather necessary financial data and cultivate reports on essential matters such as revenue and budget, provide risk assessments and estimates, implement vital policies, and allocate funds within the company. Furthermore, a finance director must also devise strategies and recommend innovative methods for financial gains, while in adherence to the organization's policies and regulations.

Division controller vs finance director salary

Division controllers and finance directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Division Controller	Finance Director
Average salary	$110,117	$118,518
Salary range	Between $76,000 And $158,000	Between $76,000 And $183,000
Highest paying City	Concord, CA	Palo Alto, CA
Highest paying state	Illinois	California
Best paying company	KLA	Meta
Best paying industry	Construction	Manufacturing

Differences between division controller and finance director education

There are a few differences between a division controller and a finance director in terms of educational background:

	Division Controller	Finance Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 78%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Accounting	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Division controller vs finance director demographics

Here are the differences between division controllers' and finance directors' demographics:

	Division Controller	Finance Director
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 77.8% Female, 22.2%	Male, 65.1% Female, 34.9%
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, 14.5% Asian, 9.4% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between division controller and finance director duties and responsibilities

Division controller example responsibilities.

Develop long-term financial/ operational strategy for high-tech company as well as managed accounting, finance, and treasury operations.
Provide and interpret monthly portfolio financial results ensuring proper GAAP treatment of accounting transactions.
Review monthly balance sheet reconciliations to general ledger, sub-ledgers and independent supporting documentation.
Identify over $400K in book gain previously unrecognize by outside CPA firm during annual audit.
Plan and develop proper procedures to have an accurate and smooth physical count acceptable to hire CPA firm.
Implement new ERP accounting systems, providing ability to fully job-cost by job/location/salesperson.

Finance director example responsibilities.

Manage treasury functions considering the inflationary situation and changes in economic patterns to minimize any negative impact they may involve.
Improve internal controls and operating efficiency by training accountants and converting general ledger reconciliations to GAAP formats.
Prepare financial data and footnotes for independent CPA annual audit financial statements.
Develop financial models in Hyperion to aggregate sales data and allocate expenses for profitability analysis.
Complete Sarbanes-Oxley procedural requirements for entire incentive development, administration and reporting process.
Develop an electronic billing capacity and are the first Montana health care provider to bill Medicaid electronically.

Division controller vs finance director skills

Common division controller skills

GAAP, 6%
Internal Controls, 6%
CPA, 6%
Payroll, 5%
Financial Analysis, 4%
Oversight, 4%

Common finance director skills

CPA, 7%
Financial Analysis, 6%
Payroll, 4%
Work Ethic, 4%
Oversight, 4%
Financial Management, 4%

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Division Controller
Division Controller vs Finance Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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