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Manager/finance accounting vs corporate controller

The differences between managers/finance accounting and corporate 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 manager/finance accounting and a corporate controller. Additionally, a corporate controller has an average salary of $144,304, which is higher than the $91,315 average annual salary of a manager/finance accounting.

The top three skills for a manager/finance accounting include customer service, CPA and GAAP. The most important skills for a corporate controller are payroll, CPA, and GAAP.

Manager/finance accounting vs corporate controller overview

Manager/Finance AccountingCorporate Controller
Yearly salary$91,315$144,304
Hourly rate$43.90$69.38
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs132,82457,715
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a manager/finance accounting do?

A manager of finance accounting's role is to oversee the financial activities in a company or organization. Their responsibilities revolve around coordinating with other departments to gather financial data, analyze the revenues and expenditures, and develop written reports and presentations. A manager of finance accounting must also maintain accurate financial records, identify any errors or inconsistencies, and perform support tasks for staff when necessary. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the team, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a corporate controller do?

A corporate controller is an individual who is responsible for supervising the overall daily accounting operations of an organization. Integral to the financial health of the organization, corporate controllers are required to help the organization with strategic financial decisions through forecasting reports and financial statements. They oversee maintaining accounting records by keeping and storing them in an operable system. Corporate controllers are also required to manage the accounting operations of the organization's subsidiaries.

Manager/finance accounting vs corporate controller salary

Managers/finance accounting and corporate controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Manager/Finance AccountingCorporate Controller
Average salary$91,315$144,304
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $127,000Between $99,000 And $209,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutCalifornia
Best paying companyMayo ClinicSideCars
Best paying industryGovernmentManufacturing

Differences between manager/finance accounting and corporate controller education

There are a few differences between a manager/finance accounting and a corporate controller in terms of educational background:

Manager/Finance AccountingCorporate Controller
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common majorAccountingAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Manager/finance accounting vs corporate controller demographics

Here are the differences between managers/finance accounting' and corporate controllers' demographics:

Manager/Finance AccountingCorporate Controller
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 54.9% Female, 45.1%Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 10.1% White, 63.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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 Percentage11%11%

Differences between manager/finance accounting and corporate controller duties and responsibilities

Manager/finance accounting example responsibilities.

  • Manage all month-end close including properly accounting for revenue recognition, defer revenue, accruals and performing sub ledger reconciliations.
  • Initiate ongoing departmental projects to automate daily tasks which include the calculations for income distributions and the daily income account reconciliation.
  • Mentor accounting team to enhance their talents including use of ERP systems and software programs.
  • Perform month end and year end close with prep for year-end audit with external CPA firm.
  • Work with outside CPA for tax purposes, as well as established separate LLC for liability reasons.
  • Analyze the business infrastructure needs with regards to the split of ITT, implement new ERP system.
  • Show more

Corporate controller example responsibilities.

  • Manage general accounting staff (A/P, A/R, & G/L), financial planning, reporting and analysis functions.
  • Direct and manage all aspects of the external audit, including implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.
  • Lead implementation of SyteLine ERP solution to replace outdate manufacturing software and streamline manufacturing and transaction processes.
  • Develop long-term financial/ operational strategy for high-tech company as well as managed accounting, finance, and treasury operations.
  • Facilitate maintenance of treasury and risk management activity serving as primary point of contact for all financially relate matters.
  • Implement procedures for standard journal entries, monthly reconciliations, account analysis and documentation to support the monthly reporting requirements.
  • Show more

Manager/finance accounting vs corporate controller skills

Common manager/finance accounting skills
  • Customer Service, 17%
  • CPA, 15%
  • GAAP, 5%
  • Reconciliations, 5%
  • Internal Controls, 3%
  • Due Diligence, 3%
Common corporate controller skills
  • Payroll, 7%
  • CPA, 6%
  • GAAP, 6%
  • Internal Controls, 6%
  • External Auditors, 5%
  • General Ledger, 3%

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