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Finance management specialist vs finance controller

The differences between finance management specialists 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 management specialist and a finance controller. Additionally, a finance controller has an average salary of $105,869, which is higher than the $70,219 average annual salary of a finance management specialist.

The top three skills for a finance management specialist include financial resources, financial reports and financial data. The most important skills for a finance controller are CPA, payroll, and financial controller.

Finance management specialist vs finance controller overview

Finance Management SpecialistFinance Controller
Yearly salary$70,219$105,869
Hourly rate$33.76$50.90
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs143,82097,342
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a finance management specialist do?

A finance management specialist is in charge of overseeing and managing a company's financial activities, ensuring accuracy and smooth workflow. They typically coordinate with different departments to gather accurate data, manage budgets and schedules, prepare cost and budget reports, and assess existing procedures to identify areas needing improvement. They must also maintain extensive records, produce sales forecasts, and participate in creating financial goals and objectives. Furthermore, as a finance management specialist, it is essential to develop strategies to optimize financial operations, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

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 management specialist vs finance controller salary

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

Finance Management SpecialistFinance Controller
Average salary$70,219$105,869
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $101,000Between $71,000 And $156,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCYonkers, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyPayPalSage Memorial Hospital
Best paying industryGovernmentTechnology

Differences between finance management specialist and finance controller education

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

Finance Management SpecialistFinance Controller
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Finance management specialist vs finance controller demographics

Here are the differences between finance management specialists' and finance controllers' demographics:

Finance Management SpecialistFinance Controller
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 52.1% Female, 47.9%Male, 61.5% Female, 38.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 10.1% White, 63.6% 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 management specialist and finance controller duties and responsibilities

Finance management specialist example responsibilities.

  • Specialize in data collection logistics and documentation on specific vehicles and manage inventory using CRM applications.
  • Project team member on ERP implementations for several clients.
  • Execute and, validate all credit card purchases in ERP and with DFAS.
  • Process incoming checks from employees & other outside sources for deposit to the U.S. Treasury.
  • Ensure GAAP compliance in revenue recognition, forecasting, internal account structure management, reporting & analysis.
  • Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual forecasts including trend/margin analysis, and ensuring proper GAAP revenue recognition.
  • 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 management specialist vs finance controller skills

Common finance management specialist skills
  • Financial Resources, 10%
  • Financial Reports, 7%
  • Financial Data, 6%
  • Budget Formulation, 6%
  • Budget Execution, 5%
  • Financial Management Systems, 5%
Common finance controller skills
  • CPA, 7%
  • Payroll, 7%
  • Financial Controller, 7%
  • GAAP, 5%
  • General Ledger, 5%
  • Internal Controls, 5%

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