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.
Division controller responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real division controller resumes:
- 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.
- Streamline departmental functions virtually eliminating overtime requirements and creating proper separation of duties for SOX compliance.
- Carry out internal audits to ensure regulatory compliance and operational efficiency/accuracy in full compliance with SOX regulations.
- Coordinate monthly global consolidation with revenue and expense analysis including payroll allocations, billing accuracy and location profitability.
- Monitor and maintain divisional costing and control procedures as well as testing and compliance to meet Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.
- Perform internal control self-assessments of significant processes and resolve deficiencies note during audit testing to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley.
- Design labor and disposal tracking templates used for forecasts and variance reconciliations, improving accuracy by introduction of structure approach.
- Involve in multiple company restructuring of accounting ERP systems and operations while implementing a bottom-line awareness among all department managers.
- Implement computerized accounting systems integrating purchasing, manufacturing, cost-accounting, inventory control, accounts receivable, payable and payroll functions.
- Prepare financial scorecards walk downs and standard IFRS reporting templates.
Division controller skills and personality traits
We calculated that 6% of Division Controllers are proficient in GAAP, Internal Controls, and CPA. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Division Controllers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- GAAP, 6%
Implemented internal controls and GAAP reporting required for transition from privately held S-corporation to subsidiary of a public company.
- Internal Controls, 6%
Managed and prepared audit schedules and reconciliations; improved internal controls for inventory including a computerized perpetual/general ledger interface.
- CPA, 6%
Consolidated our parent company's financial statements previously completed by an external CPA service, saving $100,000 per year.
- Payroll, 5%
Implemented computerized accounting systems integrating purchasing, manufacturing, cost-accounting, inventory control, accounts receivable, payable and payroll functions.
- Financial Analysis, 4%
Developed and introduced financial analysis program/credit scoring model for evaluation and establishment of credit lines facilitating control and reducing risk exposure.
- Oversight, 4%
Provided financial oversight to the international business office in Taiwan.
Most division controllers use their skills in "gaap," "internal controls," and "cpa" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential division controller responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a division controller to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "to assist executives in making decisions, financial managers need to evaluate data and information that affects their organization." Additionally, a division controller resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "developed a fixed asset tracking and reconciliation process that tied the fixed asset software data to the erp software. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling division controller duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "financial managers must be able to explain and justify complex financial transactions." According to a division controller resume, here's how division controllers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "participated in due diligence team on acquisition of clearvox communications, and led financial integration of clearvox post-acquisition. "
Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of division controllers is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday division controller duties, as "in preparing and analyzing reports, such as balance sheets and income statements, financial managers must be precise and attentive to their work in order to avoid errors." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "prepared and presented detailed financial reports and analysis to senior officers and board of directors. "
Math skills. A big part of what division controllers do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to division controller responsibilities because "financial managers need strong skills in certain branches of mathematics, including algebra." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical division controller tasks: "analyze financial data and other statistics to recognize trends, reports variances, and proposes action to management team. "
Organizational skills. Another common skill required for division controller responsibilities is "organizational skills." This skill comes up in the duties of division controllers all the time, as "because financial managers deal with a range of information and documents, they must have structures in place to be effective in their work." An excerpt from a real division controller resume shows how this skill is central to what a division controller does: "orchestrated a transition to comprehensive financial controls and accountability within organizational infrastructure, revealing 125+ audit findings. "
The three companies that hire the most division controllers are:
- Robert Half15 division controllers jobs
- D.R. Horton6 division controllers jobs
- Casella Waste Systems5 division controllers jobs
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Compare different division controllers
Division controller vs. Manager finance planning and analysis
A manager finance planning and analysis oversees the daily operations of a company's financial planning department. They typically have administrative duties such as setting goals and guidelines, establishing timelines and budgets, delegating tasks among teams and staff, and reviewing financial reports regularly. They also perform research and assessments, gather and analyze financial data from different departments, coordinate staff, and solve issues and concerns when any arise. Additionally, as a manager, they must lead and empower staff to reach goals while implementing company policies and regulations.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a division controller are more likely to require skills like "cpa," "oversight," "balance sheet accounts," and "internal audit." On the other hand, a job as a manager finance planning and analysis requires skills like "customer service," "hyperion," "visualization," and "business development." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Managers finance planning and analysis earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $109,735. On the other hand, division controllers are paid more in the construction industry with an average salary of $105,362.managers finance planning and analysis tend to reach higher levels of education than division controllers. In fact, managers finance planning and analysis are 5.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Division controller vs. Manager/finance accounting
A manager of finance accounting's role is to oversee the financial activities in a company or organization. Their responsibilities revolve around coordinating with other departments to gather financial data, analyze the revenues and expenditures, and develop written reports and presentations. A manager of finance accounting must also maintain accurate financial records, identify any errors or inconsistencies, and perform support tasks for staff when necessary. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the team, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, division controller responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "payroll," "oversight," "journal entries," and "r." Meanwhile, a manager/finance accounting has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "hr," "shared services," and "treasury." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, managers/finance accounting earn a lower salary than division controllers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, managers/finance accounting earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $92,198. Whereas division controllers have higher pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $105,362.managers/finance accounting earn similar levels of education than division controllers in general. They're 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for division controllers in the next 3-5 years?
Miguel Vicens
Associate Dean of School of Business, Associate Professor of Finance, Western New Mexico University
Division controller vs. Accounting director
An Accounting Director supervises the general accounting and financial reporting functions, as well as financial services within a company or organization. They also ensure that all transactions and financial policies for their organization meet federal regulations and standards.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, division controllers are more likely to have skills like "general ledger," "journal entries," "financial performance," and "financial management." But a accounting director is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "strong analytical," "treasury," and "general ledger accounts."
Accounting directors earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $128,951. Comparatively, division controllers have the highest earning potential in the construction industry, with an average salary of $105,362.When it comes to education, accounting directors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to division controllers. In fact, they're 3.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Division controller vs. Finance director
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.
Types of division controller
Updated January 8, 2025
