What does a group controller do?
Group controller responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real group controller resumes:
- Develop long-term financial/ operational strategy for high-tech company as well as managed accounting, finance, and treasury operations.
- Ensure all revenues, operational expenses, capital expenses and reserves are recorded accurately in adherence with GAAP and corporate policies.
- Participate on selection and implementation team for new company wide ERP system.
- Approve orders, handle customer exceptions, close monthly books, and approve payroll and work on special projects.
- Implement closed loop world-class ERP and MRPII systems, expediting access to accurate data need for decision making and corrective actions.
- Utilize strong organizational and financial skills in administering weekly payroll as well as daily deposits.
- Develop long-term financial/ operational strategy for high-tech company as well as managed accounting, finance, and treasury operations.
- Redesign accounting for WIP including recording and reconciling intercompany work.
Group controller skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Group Controllers are proficient in Internal Controls, GAAP, and Balance Sheet. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Group Controllers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Internal Controls, 7%
Initiated and brought to management attention several leasing problems with internal controls.
- GAAP, 6%
Designed financial statement formats and reporting schedules for U.S. GAAP and internal reporting and analysis, and standardized accounting policies.
- Balance Sheet, 5%
Cut cycle time for balance sheet reconciliations by 50% (one week) and established documentation standards and tracking controls.
- External Auditors, 4%
Coordinated with collaborators and external auditors the quarterly updates and annual audits.
- R, 4%
Write Stored Procedures in SQL and call SQL queries using RODBC package in R to automate reporting.
- SOX, 3%
Assisted in maintaining departmental documentation in compliance with SOX requirements by comparing and analyzing daily reports with corporate claims processing system.
Common skills that a group controller uses to do their job include "internal controls," "gaap," and "balance sheet." You can find details on the most important group controller responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a group controller to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "to assist executives in making decisions, financial managers need to evaluate data and information that affects their organization." Additionally, a group controller resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "worked closely with potential buyers by providing operational analysis during due diligence process. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform group controller duties is communication skills. Group controllers responsibilities require that "financial managers must be able to explain and justify complex financial transactions." Group controllers also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "delivered annual cost savings of $2m for 3 consecutive years through vendor analysis of telecommunication costs and staffing needs. "
Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of group controllers is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday group controller duties, as "in preparing and analyzing reports, such as balance sheets and income statements, financial managers must be precise and attentive to their work in order to avoid errors." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "provide detailed gross margin analysis and recommendations to sr. Management. "
Math skills. A big part of what group controllers do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to group controller responsibilities because "financial managers need strong skills in certain branches of mathematics, including algebra." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical group controller tasks: "produce monthly decks, quarterly business reviews, trending, quantitative and qualitative variance analysis. "
Organizational skills. Another common skill required for group controller responsibilities is "organizational skills." This skill comes up in the duties of group controllers all the time, as "because financial managers deal with a range of information and documents, they must have structures in place to be effective in their work." An excerpt from a real group controller resume shows how this skill is central to what a group controller does: "utilized strong organizational and financial skills in administering weekly payroll as well as daily deposits. "
The three companies that hire the most group controllers are:
- Wells Fargo13 group controllers jobs
- Thermo Fisher Scientific7 group controllers jobs
- Marriott International1 group controllers jobs
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Compare different group controllers
Group controller vs. Manager finance planning and analysis
A manager finance planning and analysis oversees the daily operations of a company's financial planning department. They typically have administrative duties such as setting goals and guidelines, establishing timelines and budgets, delegating tasks among teams and staff, and reviewing financial reports regularly. They also perform research and assessments, gather and analyze financial data from different departments, coordinate staff, and solve issues and concerns when any arise. Additionally, as a manager, they must lead and empower staff to reach goals while implementing company policies and regulations.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between group controllers and manager finance planning and analysis. For instance, group controller responsibilities require skills such as "financial policies," "corporate policies," "a/p," and "financial leadership." Whereas a manager finance planning and analysis is skilled in "customer service," "hyperion," "process improvement," and "visualization." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Managers finance planning and analysis earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $109,735. On the other hand, group controllers are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $91,789.managers finance planning and analysis tend to reach similar levels of education than group controllers. In fact, managers finance planning and analysis are 2.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Group controller vs. Finance vice president
The vice president of finance is one of the highest-ranking executives in a company. He/She or she works under the chief financial officer, and both have similar duties that are often interchangeable. This executive's primary function is to oversee the company's financial records and project future financial plans and investments. The finance vice president ensures that the company's finances are managed suitably and effectively. This role's responsibilities include leading the team towards achieving the company's financial mission, monitoring the financial performance, preparing and presenting financial reports, and conducting audits on financial expenditures, assets, and liabilities.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, group controller responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "r," "reconciliations," "financial policies," and "corporate policies." Meanwhile, a finance vice president has duties that require skills in areas such as "cpa," "business development," "human resources," and "treasury." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Finance vice presidents may earn a higher salary than group controllers, but finance vice presidents earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $149,254. On the other hand, group controllers receive higher pay in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $91,789.finance vice presidents earn similar levels of education than group controllers in general. They're 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Group controller vs. Finance director
A finance director's role is to oversee all financial activities and aspects of a company or organization. One of their duties is to gather necessary financial data and cultivate reports on essential matters such as revenue and budget, provide risk assessments and estimates, implement vital policies, and allocate funds within the company. Furthermore, a finance director must also devise strategies and recommend innovative methods for financial gains, while in adherence to the organization's policies and regulations.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a group controller is likely to be skilled in "corporate policies," "financial leadership," "plant controllers," and "americas," while a typical finance director is skilled in "cpa," "work ethic," "strong work ethic," and "hyperion."
Finance directors make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $128,738. On the other hand, group controllers are paid the highest salary in the manufacturing industry, with average annual pay of $91,789.Most finance directors achieve a similar degree level compared to group controllers. For example, they're 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Group controller vs. Finance planning manager
A finance planning manager oversees the budget and finance development processes within a company. Their responsibilities revolve around analyzing financial records, participating in auditing processes, producing reports and forecasts, and coordinating with different company personnel to obtain accurate data. A finance planning manager must also utilize fiscal tools, devise new business strategies and opportunities, and keep abreast of all the company's upcoming projects. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the team, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between group controllers and finance planning managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a group controller might have more use for skills like "financial management," "financial policies," "financial results," and "corporate policies." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of finance planning managers require skills like "hyperion," "business performance," "business cases," and "essbase. "
In general, finance planning managers earn the most working in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $112,683. The highest-paying industry for a group controller is the manufacturing industry.finance planning managers reach similar levels of education compared to group controllers, in general. The difference is that they're 2.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of group controller
Updated January 8, 2025
