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Manager/finance accounting vs finance controller

The differences between managers/finance accounting 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 manager/finance accounting and a finance controller. Additionally, a finance controller has an average salary of $105,869, 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 finance controller are CPA, payroll, and financial controller.

Manager/finance accounting vs finance controller overview

Manager/Finance AccountingFinance Controller
Yearly salary$91,315$105,869
Hourly rate$43.90$50.90
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs132,82497,342
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
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 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.

Manager/finance accounting vs finance controller salary

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

Manager/Finance AccountingFinance Controller
Average salary$91,315$105,869
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $127,000Between $71,000 And $156,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYYonkers, NY
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew York
Best paying companyMayo ClinicSage Memorial Hospital
Best paying industryGovernmentTechnology

Differences between manager/finance accounting and finance controller education

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

Manager/Finance AccountingFinance Controller
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorAccountingAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Manager/finance accounting vs finance controller demographics

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

Manager/Finance AccountingFinance Controller
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 54.9% Female, 45.1%Male, 61.5% Female, 38.5%
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, 7.6% 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 manager/finance accounting and finance 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

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

Manager/finance accounting vs finance controller skills

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

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