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Division controller vs senior finance manager

The differences between division controllers and senior 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 senior finance manager. Additionally, a senior finance manager has an average salary of $133,358, 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 senior finance manager are hyperion, financial performance, and financial analysis.

Division controller vs senior finance manager overview

Division ControllerSenior Finance Manager
Yearly salary$110,117$133,358
Hourly rate$52.94$64.11
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs41,679139,639
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

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 senior finance manager do?

A senior finance manager is an individual who supervises financial department staff members as well as monitors the daily financial operations within a company. Senior finance managers must keep track of the financial status and performance of the company so that they can identify areas for potential improvement. They review financial data and prepare reports to be presented to the management to help them in their business decision making. Senior finance managers must also maintain policies within the company and should have a deep understanding of financial regulations and legislations.

Division controller vs senior finance manager salary

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

Division ControllerSenior Finance Manager
Average salary$110,117$133,358
Salary rangeBetween $76,000 And $158,000Between $95,000 And $185,000
Highest paying CityConcord, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateIllinoisCalifornia
Best paying companyKLARoku
Best paying industryConstructionProfessional

Differences between division controller and senior finance manager education

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

Division ControllerSenior Finance Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorAccountingAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Division controller vs senior finance manager demographics

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

Division ControllerSenior Finance Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 77.8% Female, 22.2%Male, 70.3% Female, 29.7%
Race ratioBlack 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, 7.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 10.0% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between division controller and senior 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.
  • Show more

Senior finance manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage regional treasury functions including coordination with international HQ for daily cash balance requirements.
  • Manage staff of financial analysts who perform divisional and branch portfolio and profit/loss analysis.
  • Manage Oracle/Hyperion application upgrade used to support the close, consolidate and report process within Oracle/PeopleSoft ERP environment.
  • Manage financial reporting in support of CEO/CFO/President with oversight for data integrity and consistency of reporting across enterprise.
  • Manage eight team members' activities including daily transaction processing, monthly reconciliations and analysis, and financial statement preparation
  • Manage senior financial analysts responsible for evaluating the financial risks of a portfolio of large property and casualty insurance programs.
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Division controller vs senior finance manager skills

Common division controller skills
  • GAAP, 6%
  • Internal Controls, 6%
  • CPA, 6%
  • Payroll, 5%
  • Financial Analysis, 4%
  • Oversight, 4%
Common senior finance manager skills
  • Hyperion, 7%
  • Financial Performance, 5%
  • Financial Analysis, 5%
  • Business Development, 4%
  • SR, 4%
  • Financial Models, 4%

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