Division controller vs finance manager

The differences between division controllers and finance 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 finance manager. Additionally, a division controller has an average salary of $110,117, which is higher than the $101,374 average annual salary of a finance manager.

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

Division controller vs finance manager overview

	Division Controller	Finance Manager
Yearly salary	$110,117	$101,374
Hourly rate	$52.94	$48.74
Growth rate	17%	17%
Number of jobs	41,679	125,345
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 78%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
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 manager do?

A finance manager is responsible for monitoring the financial system of a company. Their tasks include handling their organization's financial status, generating cost estimates and budget goals, identifying business opportunities to increase revenues and profitability, improving financial strategies, reducing costs, analyzing account statements, processing invoice as needed, analyzing market trends, searching potential partnerships, and presenting reports. A finance manager must have excellent analytical skills and knowledge of the accounting and financial industry. They are responsible for providing the best recommendations for the organization's growth.

Division controller vs finance manager salary

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

	Division Controller	Finance Manager
Average salary	$110,117	$101,374
Salary range	Between $76,000 And $158,000	Between $71,000 And $144,000
Highest paying City	Concord, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Illinois	New York
Best paying company	KLA	Barclays
Best paying industry	Construction	Finance

Differences between division controller and finance manager education

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

	Division Controller	Finance Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 78%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common major	Accounting	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Division controller vs finance manager demographics

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

	Division Controller	Finance Manager
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 77.8% Female, 22.2%	Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0%
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, 10.2% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between division controller and finance manager 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.

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Finance manager example responsibilities.

Manage the preparation of monthly reporting packs and board presentations with robust variance analysis, commentaries and forward looking KPIs.
Manage a team of sales persons, business managers, sales manager, A/R, A/P, and general managers.
Lead successful sales team and provide direct oversight on overall dealership business profitability.
Manage accounts payable/receivable, deposits, payroll preparation, purchasing and inventory management, liaison to accountant.
Oversee financial analysis, financial audits, G/L, A/R, A/P and fixed-asset accounting in accordance with GAAP standards.
Execute simple SQL queries to validate data in tables.

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Division controller vs finance manager skills

Common division controller skills

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

Common finance manager skills

Financial Analysis, 7%
CPA, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
Hyperion, 4%
Financial Models, 4%
Strong Analytical, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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