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Finance executive vs finance controller

The differences between finance executives and finance 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 finance controller. Additionally, a finance executive has an average salary of $110,830, which is higher than the $105,869 average annual salary of a finance controller.

The top three skills for a finance executive include financial statements, financial services and portfolio. The most important skills for a finance controller are CPA, payroll, and financial controller.

Finance executive vs finance controller overview

Finance ExecutiveFinance Controller
Yearly salary$110,830$105,869
Hourly rate$53.28$50.90
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs137,40097,342
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a finance executive do?

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.

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.

Finance executive vs finance controller salary

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

Finance ExecutiveFinance Controller
Average salary$110,830$105,869
Salary rangeBetween $68,000 And $178,000Between $71,000 And $156,000
Highest paying CityWest Babylon, NYYonkers, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyAppleSage Memorial Hospital
Best paying industryGovernmentTechnology

Differences between finance executive and finance controller education

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

Finance ExecutiveFinance Controller
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorAccountingAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Finance executive vs finance controller demographics

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

Finance ExecutiveFinance Controller
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 63.3% Female, 36.7%Male, 61.5% Female, 38.5%
Race ratioBlack 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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 10.2% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between finance executive and finance controller duties and responsibilities

Finance executive example responsibilities.

  • Manage financial statements and work independently to produce accurate records for petty cash, bank reconciliations, and data inventory.
  • Experience in ERP implementation when A/R module are migrated from old system to new PS system.
  • Improve financial results $50 million (GAAP) in 2000 over 1999 and generate the first profit in four years.
  • Assist with compliance with SOX requirements by improving internal protocols and documentation procedures.
  • Reorganize accounting department according to SOX guidelines along with recommendations for improving processes.
  • Develop decision matrix and flowcharts for a revise financial and manufacturing system within current ERP software.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Finance executive vs finance controller skills

Common finance executive skills
  • Financial Statements, 18%
  • Financial Services, 12%
  • Portfolio, 12%
  • Financial Products, 3%
  • Real Estate, 3%
  • Insurance Products, 3%
Common finance controller skills
  • CPA, 7%
  • Payroll, 7%
  • Financial Controller, 7%
  • GAAP, 5%
  • General Ledger, 5%
  • Internal Controls, 5%

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