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What does a projects controller do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
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.

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Projects controller responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real projects controller resumes:

  • 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.
  • Forecast and budget payroll and maintenance requirements of construction team.
  • Perform financial reconciliations between firm's financial reporting and project requirements.
  • Create budgeting, forecasting, and financial reconciliations to maximize engagement metrics.
  • Coordinate all human resource services including hiring, payroll management and general business accounting.
  • Prepare financial statements on GAAP basis and reconcile balance sheet accounts for architectural/engineering firm, including general ledger and fix assets.
  • Correct and update the financial reporting system and institute financial integrity throughout the organization via operational and financial oversight and controls.
  • Provide reporting and analysis for all manufacturing activity including productivity, forecasting, budgeting and absorption.

Projects controller skills and personality traits

We calculated that 11% of Projects Controllers are proficient in Project Management, Financial Analysis, and Project Controller. They’re also known for soft skills such as Organizational skills, Detail oriented, and Math skills.

We break down the percentage of Projects Controllers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Project Management, 11%

    Facilitated new project management team during the start-up operation of a new branch and implemented an internal project management database system.

  • Financial Analysis, 7%

    Support monthly Management Business review meetings with financial analysis and explaining variances to prior forecasts with follow up.

  • Project Controller, 5%

    Prevented numerous costly and wasteful errors by gathering and conveying timely, actionable business information to project controller and finance managers.

  • Earned Value Management, 3%

    Estimate, monitor and control projects utilizing company software to perform earned value management methodology and produce performance reports.

  • Project Cost, 3%

    Provide ongoing support of project cost activities in support of capital project activity including providing regular status reports to management.

  • Work Breakdown Structure, 3%

    Established and updated costing and schedule baselines, prepared estimates and developed work breakdown structures and related dictionaries.

Most projects controllers use their skills in "project management," "financial analysis," and "project controller" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential projects controller responsibilities here:

Organizational skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a projects controller to have is organizational skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "strong organizational skills are important for accountants and auditors, who often work with a range of financial documents for a variety of clients." Projects controllers often use organizational skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "implement project management organizational and logistical activities. "

Detail oriented. Many projects controller duties rely on detail oriented. "accountants and auditors must pay attention to detail when compiling and examining documents.," so a projects controller will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways projects controller responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "reviewed financial reports including project status report, revenue worksheet and non-labor details. "

Math skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of projects controllers is math skills. This skill is critical to many everyday projects controller duties, as "accountants and auditors must be able to analyze, compare, and interpret facts and figures." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "prepared various account analysis and quarterly sales statistics. "

Communication skills. A commonly-found skill in projects controller job descriptions, "communication skills" is essential to what projects controllers do. Projects controller responsibilities rely on this skill because "accountants and auditors must be able to listen to and discuss facts and concerns from clients, managers, and other stakeholders." You can also see how projects controller duties rely on communication skills in this resume example: "controlled finances of multi-million dollar communication contracts with the faa, dod, and other government agencies. "

Most common projects controller skills

Choose from 10+ customizable projects controller resume templates

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Projects Controller Resume
Projects Controller Resume
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Compare different projects controllers

Projects controller vs. Chief finance and operating officer

A Chief Finance and Operating Officer is a senior executive who is part of the management team that manages the financial actions of an organization. This executive must produce financial statements to communicate results with shareholders and stakeholders of the organization. They must revise all their financial policies and procedures to strengthen internal controls and ensure the continuance of work to accommodate rapid growth. They must also establish cross-functional alliances to assist the effectiveness of the organization's marketing and business development initiatives.

If we compare the average projects controller annual salary with that of a chief finance and operating officer, we find that chief finance and operating officers typically earn a $86,688 higher salary than projects controllers make annually.Even though projects controllers and chief finance and operating officers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require financial analysis, risk management, and financial management in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, projects controller responsibilities require skills like "project management," "project controller," "earned value management," and "project cost." Meanwhile a typical chief finance and operating officer has skills in areas such as "oversight," "human resources," "regulatory compliance," and "r." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Chief finance and operating officers really shine in the internet industry with an average salary of $163,246. Comparatively, projects controllers tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $87,904.chief finance and operating officers tend to reach higher levels of education than projects controllers. In fact, chief finance and operating officers are 5.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Projects controller vs. Director of administration & finance

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.

On average, directors of administration & finance earn a $29,915 higher salary than projects controllers a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Projects controllers and directors of administration & finance both require similar skills like "financial analysis," "risk management," and "financial management" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that projects controller responsibilities requires skills like "project management," "project controller," "earned value management," and "project cost." But a director of administration & finance might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "oversight," "administrative functions," "cpa," and "financial operations."

On average, directors of administration & finance earn a higher salary than projects controllers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, directors of administration & finance earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $117,977. Whereas projects controllers have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $87,904.directors of administration & finance earn similar levels of education than projects controllers in general. They're 4.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Projects controller vs. Finance vice president

The vice president of finance is one of the highest-ranking executives in a company. He/She or she works under the chief financial officer, and both have similar duties that are often interchangeable. This executive's primary function is to oversee the company's financial records and project future financial plans and investments. The finance vice president ensures that the company's finances are managed suitably and effectively. This role's responsibilities include leading the team towards achieving the company's financial mission, monitoring the financial performance, preparing and presenting financial reports, and conducting audits on financial expenditures, assets, and liabilities.

On average, finance vice presidents earn higher salaries than projects controllers, with a $68,152 difference per year.By looking over several projects controllers and finance vice presidents resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "financial analysis," "risk management," and "variance analysis." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, projects controllers are more likely to have skills like "project management," "project controller," "earned value management," and "project cost." But a finance vice president is more likely to have skills like "cpa," "oversight," "due diligence," and "human resources."

Finance vice presidents make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $149,254. On the other hand, projects controllers are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $87,904.When it comes to education, finance vice presidents tend to earn similar degree levels compared to projects controllers. In fact, they're 2.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Projects controller vs. Senior director of finance

The senior director of finance is responsible for the company's financial wellness. Finance directors are constituents of the senior executive team that incorporate operational and strategic roles, maintain accounting and financial control functions, and set up a financial strategy for the continued profitable growth of the business. Their responsibilities include supervising financial operations, managing and providing ongoing training to accounting personnel, and conducting the weekly and monthly financial evaluation. Also, the director will initiate budgets, allocate funds for capital projects, create annual financial plans and projections, as well as conduct an evaluation of financial risks and benefits on a business enterprise.

Senior directors of finance tend to earn a higher pay than projects controllers by an average of $58,054 per year.While both projects controllers and senior directors of finance complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like financial analysis, earned value management, and risk management, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "project management," "project controller," "project cost," and "work breakdown structure" are skills that commonly show up on projects controller resumes. On the other hand, senior directors of finance use skills like sr, strategic direction, rfp, and pre sales on their resumes.senior directors of finance enjoy the best pay in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average salary of $143,095. For comparison, projects controllers earn the highest salary in the finance industry.The average resume of senior directors of finance showed that they earn higher levels of education compared to projects controllers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 9.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.6%.

Types of projects controller

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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