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The differences between finance analysts and finance controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a finance analyst, becoming a finance controller takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a finance controller has an average salary of $105,869, which is higher than the $69,887 average annual salary of a finance analyst.
The top three skills for a finance analyst include financial analysis, financial models and financial data. The most important skills for a finance controller are CPA, payroll, and financial controller.
| Finance Analyst | Finance Controller | |
| Yearly salary | $69,887 | $105,869 |
| Hourly rate | $33.60 | $50.90 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 138,600 | 97,342 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 40 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 8 |
A finance analyst is responsible for evaluating a company's financial data and historical reports to assess investment opportunities and provide accurate financial statements in support of business strategies and company performance prediction. A financial analyst's duties also include suggesting recommendations to boost operations efficiency and grow revenues, researching the current market performance and economic trends to adjust budget goals as needed, and managing client portfolios. Finance analysts must have excellent critical and analytical thinking skills to identify the best actions for the company's profitability.
A financial controller is primarily in charge of the daily finance activities and accounting functions of a company. Their responsibilities typically revolve around preparing and organizing financial reports, analyzing data and looking out for any discrepancies or inconsistencies, and overseeing the company's overall revenues and expenditures. A financial controller must also maintain documentation, participate in risk assessment and budgeting activities, and develop strategies for profit growth. Furthermore, one must coordinate with other department staff to ensure accuracy, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Finance analysts and finance controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Finance Analyst | Finance Controller | |
| Average salary | $69,887 | $105,869 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $104,000 | Between $71,000 And $156,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Yonkers, NY |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | New York |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Sage Memorial Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a finance analyst and a finance controller in terms of educational background:
| Finance Analyst | Finance Controller | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Accounting |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between finance analysts' and finance controllers' demographics:
| Finance Analyst | Finance Controller | |
| Average age | 40 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.2% Female, 43.8% | Male, 61.5% Female, 38.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 14.1% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 10.2% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 11% |