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The differences between internal auditors and controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a controller has an average salary of $101,204, which is higher than the $63,013 average annual salary of an internal auditor.
The top three skills for an internal auditor include CPA, risk management and SOX. The most important skills for a controller are CPA, payroll processing, and reconciliations.
| Internal Auditor | Controller | |
| Yearly salary | $63,013 | $101,204 |
| Hourly rate | $30.29 | $48.66 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 25,571 | 75,440 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 44 | 46 |
| Years of experience | - | 8 |
An internal auditor is an individual who takes responsibility for crucial accounting functions in an organization. Internal auditors have trusted consultants who advise upper management on how to handle corporate goals and risks. They review the business operations and processes of organizations. They have to assess the efficacy of the company's risk management procedures. They are expected to have superb communication skills, IT knowledge, and math aptitude. Also, they help protect the organization from potential theft and fraud of its assets.
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.
Internal auditors and controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Internal Auditor | Controller | |
| Average salary | $63,013 | $101,204 |
| Salary range | Between $45,000 And $86,000 | Between $70,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Portland, ME |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | Meta | Perkins Coie |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between an internal auditor and a controller in terms of educational background:
| Internal Auditor | Controller | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Accounting | Accounting |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between internal auditors' and controllers' demographics:
| Internal Auditor | Controller | |
| Average age | 44 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 54.6% Female, 45.4% | Male, 58.9% Female, 41.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 12.9% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | 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 | 7% | 11% |