Finance controller vs accountant

The differences between finance controllers and accountants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a finance controller, becoming an accountant takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a finance controller has an average salary of $105,869, which is higher than the $54,890 average annual salary of an accountant.

The top three skills for a finance controller include CPA, payroll and financial controller. The most important skills for an accountant are reconciliations, general ledger accounts, and account reconciliations.

Finance controller vs accountant overview

	Finance Controller	Accountant
Yearly salary	$105,869	$54,890
Hourly rate	$50.90	$26.39
Growth rate	17%	6%
Number of jobs	97,342	60,073
Job satisfaction	-	3
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	46	44
Years of experience	8	4

What does a finance controller do?

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.

What does an accountant do?

An accountant is an individual whose primary task is to prepare, keep, examine, and interpret financial records. Most accountants are in charge of a wide scope of finance-related tasks, either for private individuals or for large-scale businesses and organizations they are employed with. They make sure that financial statements and records are accurate and comply with laws and regulations. They also compute for taxes, prepare tax returns, and ensure being paid properly and on time. As they keep track and record the flow of money, they can offer guidance on how to reduce costs, enhance revenue, and help in profit maximization.

Finance controller vs accountant salary

Finance controllers and accountants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Finance Controller	Accountant
Average salary	$105,869	$54,890
Salary range	Between $71,000 And $156,000	Between $41,000 And $72,000
Highest paying City	Yonkers, NY	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	New York	New York
Best paying company	Sage Memorial Hospital	Meta
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between finance controller and accountant education

There are a few differences between a finance controller and an accountant in terms of educational background:

	Finance Controller	Accountant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Accounting	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Finance controller vs accountant demographics

Here are the differences between finance controllers' and accountants' demographics:

	Finance Controller	Accountant
Average age	46	44
Gender ratio	Male, 61.5% Female, 38.5%	Male, 38.2% Female, 61.8%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 15.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	7%

Differences between finance controller and accountant duties and responsibilities

Finance controller example responsibilities.

Lead the implementation of a fully integrate ERP system resulting in increase financial integrity.
Supervise a staff of seven in the areas of A/P, A/R, G/L, financial reporting and payroll.
Coordinate annual financial audit with external CPA firm and implement internal controls to satisfy recommendations from auditors.
Develop and implement procedures with internal controls for all financial and operational processes to ensure GAAP compliance.
Prepare all accounts for the month-end closing process and additionally gather information for daily/monthly reconciliations and journal entries.
Work with outside CPA on year-end tax planning; ensure the timely filing and payment of corporate taxes.

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Accountant example responsibilities.

Manage preparation of the statutory financial statements and financial aggregates in compliance with IFRS and local applicable norms.
Manage personnel financial matters including salaries, taxation procedures and other relate issues.
Manage and monitor accounting procedures for compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and coordinate and facilitate external audit requirements.
Reconstruct and improve many balance sheet account reconciliations for easier reading and interpretation by senior level management.
Perform complex general accounting functions, including preparation of journal entries, account analysis and balance sheet reconciliations.
Maintain general ledgers and preparation of monthly and other periodic financial reports in accordance with GAAP and international accounting standards.

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Finance controller vs accountant skills

Common finance controller skills

CPA, 7%
Payroll, 7%
Financial Controller, 7%
GAAP, 5%
General Ledger, 5%
Internal Controls, 5%

Common accountant skills

Reconciliations, 14%
General Ledger Accounts, 6%
Account Reconciliations, 6%
GAAP, 5%
Payroll Tax Returns, 5%
Customer Service, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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