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The differences between finance executives and controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a finance executive and a controller. Additionally, a finance executive has an average salary of $110,830, which is higher than the $101,204 average annual salary of a controller.
The top three skills for a finance executive include financial statements, financial services and portfolio. The most important skills for a controller are CPA, payroll processing, and reconciliations.
| Finance Executive | Controller | |
| Yearly salary | $110,830 | $101,204 |
| Hourly rate | $53.28 | $48.66 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 137,400 | 75,440 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
Finance executives oversee an organization's money and profit. They are responsible for overseeing the income and expenses of the business' money transactions. These executives evaluate financial reports such as cash-flow statements, tax planning, and budgeting. Sometimes, finance executives manage a staff of finance clerks, hire new staff, and develop schedules. They work full-time in an office, but they also often work beyond regular business hours. As for qualifications, finance executives must have at least a bachelor's degree and a considerable length of work experience in the business field.
Controllers are employees in the accounting department who manage the finances of the organization. They are involved in the budget setting activity at the start of the company's fiscal year. Controllers are responsible for ensuring that all departments work within their respective budgets. They have the power to recommend budget cuts due to any unforeseen circumstances that may happen. They also have the ability to veto or forego budget items. Controllers should have accounting skills and auditing skills. They must also be trustworthy and should work with integrity.
Finance executives and controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Finance Executive | Controller | |
| Average salary | $110,830 | $101,204 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $178,000 | Between $70,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | West Babylon, NY | Portland, ME |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | Apple | Perkins Coie |
| Best paying industry | Government | Technology |
There are a few differences between a finance executive and a controller in terms of educational background:
| Finance Executive | Controller | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Accounting |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between finance executives' and controllers' demographics:
| Finance Executive | Controller | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.3% Female, 36.7% | Male, 58.9% Female, 41.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 10.0% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 9.4% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |