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Projects controller vs director of administration & finance

The differences between projects controllers and directors of administration & finance can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a projects controller, becoming a director of administration & finance takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a director of administration & finance has an average salary of $109,366, which is higher than the $79,451 average annual salary of a projects controller.

The top three skills for a projects controller include project management, financial analysis and project controller. The most important skills for a director of administration & finance are payroll, oversight, and financial management.

Projects controller vs director of administration & finance overview

Projects ControllerDirector Of Administration & Finance
Yearly salary$79,451$109,366
Hourly rate$38.20$52.58
Growth rate6%17%
Number of jobs16,33480,486
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4446
Years of experience48

What does a projects controller do?

A project controller is responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of project management procedures, ensuring that the team adheres to the clients' specifications and requirements, and keeping all project resources and deliverables within the budget goals and set timeframe. Project controllers determine the progress of the project and coordinate the updates to the client, adjusting the project approach as needed to achieve high-quality standards and objectives. They also maintain an organized report of expenditures, as well as generating process reports to identify potential process improvement techniques that will maximize operational efficiency.

What does a director of administration & finance do?

A director of administration & finance oversees and directs an organization's administration and finance department, ensuring operations run smoothly and efficiently according to company standards and regulations. It is their duty to set goals and guidelines, lead the research and development efforts, establish procedures, manage the budgets and costs, review and evaluate financial reports, and implement the organizations' policies and standards. Moreover, a director of administration & finance leads staff and supervises all operations, solving issues and concerns if any would arise.

Projects controller vs director of administration & finance salary

Projects controllers and directors of administration & finance have different pay scales, as shown below.

Projects ControllerDirector Of Administration & Finance
Average salary$79,451$109,366
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $118,000Between $73,000 And $161,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNevada
Best paying companyCalifornia ResourcesUCI Health
Best paying industryFinanceHealth Care

Differences between projects controller and director of administration & finance education

There are a few differences between a projects controller and a director of administration & finance in terms of educational background:

Projects ControllerDirector Of Administration & Finance
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorBusinessAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Projects controller vs director of administration & finance demographics

Here are the differences between projects controllers' and directors of administration & finance' demographics:

Projects ControllerDirector Of Administration & Finance
Average age4446
Gender ratioMale, 55.9% Female, 44.1%Male, 55.3% Female, 44.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 8.4% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage7%11%

Differences between projects controller and director of administration & finance duties and responsibilities

Projects controller example 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.
  • Set up and management of charge numbers according to an establish WBS and distribution of project authorizations to team members.
  • Process journal entries and accruals monthly to account for all orders, revenue, and cost in the appropriate period.
  • Show more

Director of administration & finance example responsibilities.

  • Manage payroll and HRIS system administration utilizing ADP and PeopleSoft applications and provide HRIS reports to employees and senior management team.
  • Lead the consolidation of financial and operational systems for non-acute services including rehabilitation and psychiatry services.
  • Provide organizational cash flow oversight as well as, update and implement inter-departmental policies.
  • Install ADP computerize payroll reporting with electronic tax deposits and federal/state reporting resulting in payroll processing cost savings.
  • Oversee the coordination of employee benefits and office administrative contacts and functions including direct monitoring of payroll processing.
  • Coordinate administrative operations including general oversight of office, computer and other equipment maintenance, and purchasing and vendor contact.
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Projects controller vs director of administration & finance skills

Common projects controller skills
  • Project Management, 11%
  • Financial Analysis, 7%
  • Project Controller, 5%
  • Earned Value Management, 3%
  • Project Cost, 3%
  • Work Breakdown Structure, 3%
Common director of administration & finance skills
  • Payroll, 12%
  • Oversight, 9%
  • Financial Management, 6%
  • Administrative Functions, 4%
  • Internal Controls, 4%
  • Risk Management, 3%

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