How To Become A Projects Controller: What It Is and Career Path

What is a projects controller and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A project controller plays a key role in the project team and works directly with the project manager to help define the project's goals and objectives. They create and maintain a project's budget and schedule, analyze progress reported against the work schedule and recommend actions to improve progress.

They also make suggestions for improvements to project operations as needed. Almost all industries employ project controllers. Their key duties and responsibilities include monitoring project activities, overseeing project budgeting and scheduling, generating project reports, and suggesting and managing changes in the project processes.

Essential skills include programming languages and project management systems, SAP, exceptional communication skills, willingness for further training, and leadership skills. Most project controller positions generally require candidates to hold a bachelor's degree in a finance-related field or business administration.

A degree in computer sciences works as well. The average annual salary for a project controller in the United States is $86,661. That works out to be $41.66 an hour during a normal workweek. The career is likely to experience growth in the coming years.

ScoreProjects ControllerUS Average

Salary

6.2

Avg. Salary $79,451

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.4

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.46%

Asian 13.92%

Black or African American 8.50%

Hispanic or Latino 10.83%

Unknown 3.96%

White 62.35%

Gender

female 44.14%

male 55.86%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

5.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.7

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a projects controller

Explore projects controller education requirements

Most common projects controller degrees

Bachelor's

70.6 %

Master's

17.0 %

Associate

8.6 %

Start to develop specific projects controller skills

Skills	Percentages
Project Management	11.07%
Financial Analysis	6.80%
Project Controller	5.37%
Earned Value Management	3.50%
Project Cost	3.43%

Complete relevant projects controller training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New projects controllers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a projects controller based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real projects controller resumes.

Gain additional projects controller certifications

Projects controller certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific projects controller certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for projects controllers include Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

More About Certifications

Research projects controller duties and responsibilities

Develop GAAP compliant reporting and manage software implementations.
Manage treasury, open several new accounts, establish new procedures and controls, monitor daily activity.
Prepare accruals and revenue recognition calculations.
Work with foremen and supervisors to ensure proper WBS elements are charged.

Prepare your projects controller resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your projects controller resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a projects controller resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable projects controller resume templates

Build a professional projects controller resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your projects controller resume.