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Job outlook for division controllers in the United States
Division controller job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected division controller job growth rate is 17% from 2018-2028.
About 123,100 new jobs for division controllers are projected over the next decade.
Division controller salaries have increased 10% for division controllers in the last 5 years.
There are over 142,356 division controllers currently employed in the United States.
There are 41,679 active division controller job openings in the US.
The average division controller salary is $110,117.
Are division controller jobs in demand?
Division controller job and salary trends over time
Division controller jobs over time
Division controller job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 142,356 | 0.04% |
| 2020 | 136,505 | 0.04% |
| 2019 | 136,863 | 0.04% |
| 2018 | 127,108 | 0.04% |
| 2017 | 119,011 | 0.04% |
Average division controller salary over time
Division controller salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $110,117 | $52.94 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $106,596 | $51.25 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $105,037 | $50.50 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $102,649 | $49.35 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $99,916 | $48.04 | +3.2% |
Division controller jobs by state
Most common states for division controllers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 216 | 31% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 109 | 11% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 617 | 9% |
| 4 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 876 | 7% |
| 5 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 532 | 7% |
| 6 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 418 | 7% |
| 7 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 247 | 7% |
| 8 | California | 39,536,653 | 2,279 | 6% |
| 9 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 481 | 6% |
| 10 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 347 | 6% |
| 11 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 328 | 6% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 243 | 6% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 199 | 6% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 85 | 6% |
| 15 | Alaska | 739,795 | 46 | 6% |
| 16 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 32 | 6% |
| 17 | New York | 19,849,399 | 962 | 5% |
| 18 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 411 | 5% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 52 | 5% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 30 | 5% |
Most common cities for division controllers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eden Prairie | 2 | 3% | $106,324 |
| 2 | Mableton | 1 | 3% | $83,684 |
| 3 | Elkhart | 1 | 2% | $108,300 |
| 4 | Fort Collins | 1 | 1% | $94,606 |
| 5 | Joliet | 1 | 1% | $128,677 |
| 6 | Springfield | 1 | 1% | $121,052 |
| 7 | Fort Wayne | 1 | 0% | $108,221 |
| 8 | Irvine | 1 | 0% | $122,244 |
| 9 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $124,168 |
| 10 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $95,774 |
| 11 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $119,312 |
Division Controller job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of division controller experts
Manhattan College
Lynn University
University of Oregon
Stonehill College
American University
Pacific Lutheran University
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
The University of Scranton
Loyola University Maryland
South College
Red Rocks Community College
Kean University
Western Washington University
California State University - Stanislaus
Elmira College
Western New Mexico University
Campbell School of Business, Berry College
What general advice would you give to a Division Controller?
Dr. Natalia Boliari PhD: First, learn everything about the company you just started working for - its historical path, management, the way it's dealt with crises, etc. Second, learn everything about the specific industry the company belongs to and see how the company has developed relative to the development of the industry domestically and internationally. Third, always be extremely alert to notice new opportunities and be prepared to take calculated risks. That is, actively look for opportunities to complete as many and diverse tasks as possible, and volunteer to complete any type of work regardless of whether it seems relevant to your assigned job or not. Opportunities to learn, grow, and improve and thus to maximize your income, will only come up if you are exposed to diverse situations.
What Division Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Natalia Boliari PhD: Be open minded. Finance is the broad definition of an industry which provides opportunities for careers in financial consultancy, financial analysis, stock brokerage, foreign investment, modeling, exchange rate forecasts, and many more. While most of those careers are attributed to the banking industry, you can find those and others in other sectors of the economy, such as insurance, technology, health care/medical, government, and so on. So, be open and look beyond the banking sector, examine the current and predicted trends in the economy to hunt for exciting career options.
What will help Division Controllers increase their earning potential?
David Spohn DBA, MBA, MJUR, CWM®: Likes:
- Intellectual Stimulation: Many finance analysts enjoy the challenge of solving complex financial puzzles and deriving insights from data. The role often requires staying updated with the latest economic trends and financial theories, providing continuous learning opportunities.
- Impact on Decision-making: Analysts often take pride in the fact that their work directly influences strategic business decisions. This can be highly rewarding, especially when their recommendations lead to successful outcomes.
- Career Opportunities: The field offers numerous pathways for career advancement. Analysts can ascend to roles in senior management, specialize in particular sectors such as fintech or healthcare, or move into investment roles.
Dislikes:
- High Pressure: The role can be highly stressful, with tight deadlines and significant implications tied to their analyses and recommendations. Financial markets are dynamic, and the pressure to provide accurate, timely insights can be intense.
- Monotony in Initial Stages: New entrants might find the work initially repetitive as they learn the ropes of data collection and basic analysis techniques. The intellectual rewards and more engaging tasks often come with increased responsibility.
- Work-Life Balance: Depending on the employer and the state of the market, long hours can be common, especially during financial reporting periods or significant market changes, which can impact work-life balance.
What will help Division Controllers increase their earning potential?
Clemens Kownatzki PhD, MBA: As a beginner in any field, it pays to listen more than to talk. Be humble, pay attention, be nice to folks and probably most helpful is having a mentor who can guide you along and show you some best practices for navigating your career. You should take advantage of your education, not just to show a piece of paper that says you graduated but think of every single project, essay or paper that you write as part of a portfolio that demonstrates your skill sets. Especially in finance where we can sometimes be enamored with the beauty of a mathematical model, think about how any model should be applied in the real world. In some cases that might mean that you have to “get your hands on the wheel and learn how to drive.” I am not suggesting that you should put all your savings at risk and buy the next iteration of the latest cryptocurrency, but If you’re interested in a career in investing, put a small amount of money at risk and trade a stock, or if you must trade a few dollars’ worth of Bitcoin or Ether – as much as you would risk for a movie ticket seems reasonable. There are lots of virtual trading apps where you can trade with paper money, but there’s nothing like understanding risk when your own dollars are at stake, even if it’s just a few dollars. You should also absorb all the workshops, seminars and resources available out there. Follow Prof. Aswath Damodaran who has a YouTube Channel and hundreds of spreadsheets with financial models, all for free! Also follow some good content providers on various channels to get additional insights – in the field of finance, you need to be up-to-date on all events because those influence markets and the economy. Be ready to continue learning and update your skills and understanding while you’re working. Education doesn’t end after you finish your degree. All successful people are life-long learners.
Z. Jay Wang
Department Head, Associate Professor of FinanceUniversity of Oregon
Finance And Financial Management Services
What will help Division Controllers increase their earning potential?
Z. Jay Wang: Students who have a history of doing work in the field outside the classroom either through internships, industry projects, or school-sponsored clubs managing financial decisions are better poised to maximize starting salary potential. Starting early to secure internships with top companies will also position students well for higher earning potential. Most top banks and firms will post internships from April/May to August, and close by the end of September for the following summer. They are also rolling, so may fill the roles by as early as June of the sophomore year for the following summer after junior year. Finally, networking with industry and alumni professionals in the companies, firms, banks prior to applying for an internship or full-time position will have an impact. The candidate will learn more about the opportunity and company culture for their resume and potential interview, and most top companies in finance will have a referral program. If the candidate impresses the internal connection with excellent questions and strategic answers, they may get a referral that moves them up in the stacks of applicants.
What general advice would you give to a Division Controller?
Dr. Wayne Durr: Maximizing your salary potential starts with understanding your value. What skills and
capabilities can you articulate to a prospective employer? The ability to articulate these skills
and what you bring to that company can be challenging. Think of your resume like an artist
thinks of their portfolio. What projects or analysis have you worked on? You cannot articulate
the value you will bring to that prospective company without the ability to articulate your skills
and capabilities. Do your research to determine what other employers pay people with the
same abilities. Ask employers what the salary range is and use that as your baseline. As you
get close to graduating, your classmates talk about the job offers they receive and most likely
share the salaries they are being offered. Listen and use this as a baseline. All this gives you
an idea of your value. Your first job isn't always the place where you'll be able to maximize your
earning potential. Think of your first job as where you will get the work experience to maximize
your future earning potential. Look at this as the place where you will sharpen your skills and
develop new ones. This first job will be where you fill out your resume and either have an
opportunity to maximize your earning potential there or elsewhere in the future.
Additionally, think about passive income and the "side gig". If you don't feel like you're
maximizing your earning potential at that first job, think about how you can make money on the
side. I believe we now live in a society where truly maximizing your earning potential comes
from more than your current employer. The ability to earn money from a side gig is more
prevalent than ever before. I think every student should take an entrepreneur class. Think
about your skills, which one could make you some side money. Don't dismiss jobs you did
growing up, like delivery service, landscaping, etc. There are so many apps and websites that
people and companies are looking for anything from an hour to a couple of days worth of work.
Take that first six months on the job to get settled in, and then start thinking about that side gig.
Octavian Ionici PhD
Sr. Lecturer in FinanceAmerican University
Finance And Financial Management Services
What Division Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Octavian Ionici PhD: The finance profession is lucrative, rewarding and very competitive. Graduates should do their research about the organization they are interviewing with and be able to discuss how their skills can contribute to the business. They should also know if they would rather interact with people and clients or if they are drawn to intellectual pursuits such as analysis. Do they value power, prestige status, risk, or something else? Ultimately our core values, personal goals, interests, aptitudes, and personality will shape our career paths.
Being able to articulate what sparked their interest in the financial field and why they are interested in a chosen role will be an advantage during the hiring process. While still in college, students should join a professional association like the Financial Management Association to give them more access to that broad network, as well as access to career development resources that can set them apart from the crowd.
It's also critical to get an internship (paid or unpaid) in order to show some real-life experience. They can do this while they are still in college, during the summers, or even afterwards, to get a foot in the door.
Reading the WSJ and FT daily, and listening to Bloomberg, or other financial programs as a regular practice will help them to have fluency in the language of our profession. Because the finance sector is heavily regulated and changes occur due to changing economic and political conditions, they will need to stay updated with those changes. Financial media sources will help bring them that context to stay up to date on all of these moving parts.
What will help Division Controllers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kimberly Gaither: Maximize your salary potential by asking questions and learning as quickly as possible. Be a good communicator with those above and below you as well as your peers. Be dependable. Persons who show up early and work hard will be valued and rewarded.
Fang Lin
Assistant Professor of FinancePacific Lutheran University
Finance And Financial Management Services
What Division Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Fang Lin: Don't be afraid to negotiate your starting salary. Young journalists have a lot to offer newsrooms through social media skills and a willingness to adapt to new technologies such as artificial intelligence. Technology skills have value and should not be undersold. Also, young journalism students should not discount the value of their student media and internship experiences. Young journalists must use everything on their resumes to show how they bring value to their position and ask to be compensated fairly for the work they will contribute to the newsroom's success.
John Clark Ph.D., CFA, CFP
Chair, Dept. of FinanceUniversity of Nevada - Las Vegas
Geological And Earth Sciences/Geosciences
What general advice would you give to a Division Controller?
John Clark Ph.D., CFA, CFP: Show you have experience. Doing an internship is a great way to increase your starting salary. I always advocate for doing applied research, this is research that you can show has implications for society - science for the sake of science is not good science! Obtaining an MS degree is also a good way to increase your salary, especially if your MS degree is relevant to your future job.
Dr. Douglas Boyle
Chair & Professor, Director, Doctorate in Business Administration Program , Director, Nonprofit Leadership ProgramThe University of Scranton
Accounting Department
What soft skills should all Division Controllers possess?
Dr. Douglas Boyle: Our research shows that achieving a high level of emotional intelligence is viewed as most important by senior accounting professionals. Emotional intelligence is made up of self-awareness that includes emotional awareness and self-confidence. Self-management includes self-control, trustworthiness, conscientiousness, adaptability, and innovation. Social awareness includes empathy and organizational awareness. Relationship management includes influence, conflict management, teamwork, leadership, and communication. While it is important to work on all these skills, the three that are deemed most critical for accounting professionals are trustworthiness, conscientiousness, teamwork, and communication.
Dr. JP Krahel Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Accounting, Accounting Department ChairLoyola University Maryland
Accounting Department
What technical skills for a Division Controller stand out to employers?
Dr. JP Krahel Ph.D.: First, Excel. It's the most basic, essential tool for the accounting professional. If you can come in on Day 1 knowing essential keyboard shortcuts, proper formula and reference use, and how to format a spreadsheet properly, you'll have an immediate advantage over your peers.
Second, believe it or not, is writing. People think that accounting is all about numbers, but really, it's less about the math (which Excel does for you) and more about being able to explain the deeper meaning behind the results. Can you explain complex depreciation methods to an audit client? Give bad news to a tax client in an understandable way? These are big deals.
Third is data analytics. Given the immense volume of data now available to firms, someone who can extract, clean, and present that data using modern software tools will have an edge. It's really another form of communication, and one that early-career accounting professionals would do well to familiarize themselves with before entering the workforce.
What general advice would you give to a Division Controller?
D. Pace Porter: The accounting profession is made up of several disciplines and is inherent in all businesses from small and medium size to large, publicly traded global companies. You should have a solid idea of where you want to begin. Private industry accounting, which industry, general accounting or tax; or public accounting with a CPA firm and audit, tax or advisory services within that type organization? These are some of the questions that you must answer for yourself, as well as for the potential interviewer. You should have the information necessary to help you answer those after completing your degree and taking all of the required accounting courses. I would also advise you to focus on general skills such as written and oral communication, technology (Excel and beyond), attention to detail, time management and above all, professional integrity.
Janet Tarase
Lead Accounting Faculty / Accounting Department ChairRed Rocks Community College
Accounting Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Division Controller job market given the pandemic?
Janet Tarase: Even though over 7 million people are currently unemployed, employers still need individuals to maintain their operations. Human Resource departments are recruiting individuals through social media platforms. My daughter works in HR recruiting and they only use LinkedIn. Companies are using video or phone interviews to select candidates. Which means that potential candidates have to communicate effectively and make a good first impression quickly.
Employers will be looking for individuals that have proven communication, organizational and time management skills that are able to work independently since telecommuting will be continuing in the future. Applicants will also need to have technological and critical thinking skills to manage the challenges presented while working from home. Because of the pandemic and so many of us having to work from home, companies may broaden their recruiting geography to find the best candidates out of state or in different time zones. Finally, employees need to be flexible and resilient - you never know what the next job requirement will demand.
How do you envision technology impacting Division Controllers in the next 5 years?
Dr. Michael Tin Shan Suen: The field of finance will continue to embrace the advancement and application of the latest technology. Mastering the technology to analyze huge amounts of data is essential. This will turn the data into your competitive advantage.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Division Controller job market given the pandemic?
Hart Hodges: In the near term, graduates have to navigate a very different world when it comes to interviewing. You have to present yourself well via Zoom or MS Teams. And you have to get a feel for an organization, perhaps without seeing it or its people in person. But hopefully, those challenges start to fade this summer - so maybe not a trend. Looking longer-term, I think one trend we'll see changes in data analytics.
"Big data" was already a developing trend. I think now you have to add dealing with and including uncertainty. (People will want analysts to consider scenarios where low probability events - like a pandemic - emerge.) I think another trend is demonstrating the ability to self manage and to be versatile. Your employer may need you in the office some days and at home others; your supervisors may work remotely; you will have to be able to handle in-person or virtual meetings, etc.
Kim Tan Ph.D.
Professor, Accounting, ChairCalifornia State University - Stanislaus
Department of Accounting and Finance
What experience really stands out on Division Controller resumes?
Kim Tan Ph.D.: Membership in student clubs. Leadership position in a student organization. Recipient of scholarship. Some work experience or internship.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Division Controllers?
Mariam Khawar Ph.D.: Yes, I think there will be a lasting impact, mainly because the pandemic has accelerated trends that were already beginning to emerge. Students will face a more competitive environment due to globalization and technology, both of which may work in tandem. For example, the rapid shift to remote work means that jobs can be more easily outsourced to individuals across the world, while technology is making it easier and more efficient to work remotely. This means that, in addition to the quantitative skills that economics graduates tend to have already, and what their global competitors can more easily acquire, students will need to gain an advantage in other areas, such as effective communication where there are fewer competitors globally who are proficient in English. Additionally, because economics is a liberal arts discipline, as opposed to a professional one, its graduates are more likely to be creative, critical thinkers, and problem-solvers. These are the types of skills that can give students an edge, even in an increasingly competitive job market. Hence, economics graduates should highlight and use these strengths to the best of their abilities, to mitigate the inevitable effect of the pandemic on the future.
Miguel Vicens
Associate Dean of School of Business, Associate Professor of FinanceWestern New Mexico University
Finance
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Division Controllers in the next 3-5 years?
Miguel Vicens: You might already be an expert in social media, but most importantly, you want to differentiate yourself from the mass movement of social media. Find your expertise, the tools you will use that are unique to your profession, and be the best you can in doing what you do. Technology in the financial sector is regulated and overseen by many institutions to safeguard the system's financial stability and secure the funds from your investors. That is your primary goal as a finance major; to be ethical, technologically savvy, and a professional in your field.
What general advice would you give to a Division Controller?
Brian Meehan: My advice would be to apply broadly for jobs and take advantage of the robust set of career opportunities a degree in economics provides. It also gives you a better gauge of the opportunity cost (next best alternative) of accepting a job. Try to determine what that best alternative is. Additional training can also be a good option. Those individuals interested in graduate schools, professional schools, law schools, MBAs, etc. should look into these opportunities. Improving your human capital stock (via training and education), while weathering a recession, and then capitalizing on a healthier job market at the end of this training, is a pretty good route (assuming the recession is short).