Post job

Finance planning analyst vs finance controller

The differences between finance planning 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 planning 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 $77,027 average annual salary of a finance planning analyst.

The top three skills for a finance planning analyst include financial analysis, powerpoint and financial planning analysis. The most important skills for a finance controller are CPA, payroll, and financial controller.

Finance planning analyst vs finance controller overview

Finance Planning AnalystFinance Controller
Yearly salary$77,027$105,869
Hourly rate$37.03$50.90
Growth rate9%17%
Number of jobs103,17297,342
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4046
Years of experience48

What does a finance planning analyst do?

Financial planning analysts are professionals in charge of the company's budgeting, forecasting, and analysis. The role of the analysts is crucial to the major decisions of corporations. They employ quantitative techniques and formulas to make things happen the easy way. They offer financial consulting and strategic support to the enterprise's senior management. Also, it is their job to monitor relevant laws, economic trends, and other factors affecting the financial state of the company.

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 planning analyst vs finance controller salary

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

Finance Planning AnalystFinance Controller
Average salary$77,027$105,869
Salary rangeBetween $56,000 And $105,000Between $71,000 And $156,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAYonkers, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew York
Best paying companyGoogleSage Memorial Hospital
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between finance planning analyst and finance controller education

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

Finance Planning AnalystFinance Controller
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorFinanceAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Finance planning analyst vs finance controller demographics

Here are the differences between finance planning analysts' and finance controllers' demographics:

Finance Planning AnalystFinance Controller
Average age4046
Gender ratioMale, 61.7% Female, 38.3%Male, 61.5% Female, 38.5%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage7%11%

Differences between finance planning analyst and finance controller duties and responsibilities

Finance planning analyst example responsibilities.

  • Lead an initiative to improve high and low level user communication regarding company forecasting and reporting software, IBM Cognos TM1.
  • Manage complex securities and investment portfolio reporting.
  • Develop, maintain financial models/applications (VBA Excel/Access) to automate and streamline business processes and perform financial analysis.
  • Facilitate month-end close process by delegating the preparation of journal entries and reconciliations.
  • Used SQL and QMF query languages to audit data.
  • Work with the accounting department to ensure proper GAAP compliance and reporting methods.
  • 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 planning analyst vs finance controller skills

Common finance planning analyst skills
  • Financial Analysis, 9%
  • PowerPoint, 8%
  • Financial Planning Analysis, 7%
  • Financial Performance, 6%
  • Financial Models, 6%
  • Hyperion, 5%
Common finance controller skills
  • CPA, 7%
  • Payroll, 7%
  • Financial Controller, 7%
  • GAAP, 5%
  • General Ledger, 5%
  • Internal Controls, 5%

Browse business and financial jobs