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Unit controller vs division controller

The differences between unit controllers and division 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 unit controller and a division controller. Additionally, a division controller has an average salary of $110,117, which is higher than the $104,008 average annual salary of a unit controller.

The top three skills for a unit controller include financial analysis, payroll and financial reports. The most important skills for a division controller are GAAP, internal controls, and CPA.

Unit controller vs division controller overview

Unit ControllerDivision Controller
Yearly salary$104,008$110,117
Hourly rate$50.00$52.94
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs55,53741,679
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a unit controller do?

The duties of a unit controller depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In a corporate setting, their responsibilities typically revolve around performing administrative tasks such as planning and producing business plans, coordinating with different departments or officials to gather data, overseeing sales and expenditures, preparing and processing documentation, managing the schedules and budgets, and devising strategies to identify new business opportunities. They may also present progress reports and sales forecasts to senior managers or executives. Furthermore, as a unit controller, it is essential to lead and encourage the workers to reach goals.

What does a division controller do?

A division controller is typically in charge of overseeing a company division's financial activities and human resources operations. Their role is to set objectives and guidelines, perform audits and assessments, evaluate the workforce performance, handle budgets and timelines, and develop strategies to optimize processes. They must monitor the progress of activities and projects, producing regular reports and presentations to keep the executives informed. Furthermore, as a division controller, it is essential to lead staff and implement the company's policies and regulations.

Unit controller vs division controller salary

Unit controllers and division controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Unit ControllerDivision Controller
Average salary$104,008$110,117
Salary rangeBetween $70,000 And $153,000Between $76,000 And $158,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAConcord, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaIllinois
Best paying companyWacker ChemieKLA
Best paying industryTechnologyConstruction

Differences between unit controller and division controller education

There are a few differences between a unit controller and a division controller in terms of educational background:

Unit ControllerDivision Controller
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common majorAccountingAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Unit controller vs division controller demographics

Here are the differences between unit controllers' and division controllers' demographics:

Unit ControllerDivision Controller
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 69.3% Female, 30.7%Male, 77.8% Female, 22.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 10.0% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 8.5% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between unit controller and division controller duties and responsibilities

Unit controller example responsibilities.

  • Manage global consolidation of month end closing including review/analysis of financial statements ensuring adherence of GAAP guidelines.
  • Maintain and update the ERP system and average actual batch costing.
  • Provide training to finance and operation staff for the new ERP system.
  • Implement online expense report system and online account reconciliations along with lead the accounts payable outsourcing project.
  • Assess and close A/P & A/R ledger on a monthly basis, validate content and resolve various issues.
  • Prepare consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
  • Show more

Division controller example responsibilities.

  • Develop long-term financial/ operational strategy for high-tech company as well as managed accounting, finance, and treasury operations.
  • Provide and interpret monthly portfolio financial results ensuring proper GAAP treatment of accounting transactions.
  • Review monthly balance sheet reconciliations to general ledger, sub-ledgers and independent supporting documentation.
  • Identify over $400K in book gain previously unrecognize by outside CPA firm during annual audit.
  • Plan and develop proper procedures to have an accurate and smooth physical count acceptable to hire CPA firm.
  • Implement new ERP accounting systems, providing ability to fully job-cost by job/location/salesperson.
  • Show more

Unit controller vs division controller skills

Common unit controller skills
  • Financial Analysis, 9%
  • Payroll, 8%
  • Financial Reports, 6%
  • Internal Controls, 5%
  • Close Process, 5%
  • Financial Data, 5%
Common division controller skills
  • GAAP, 6%
  • Internal Controls, 6%
  • CPA, 6%
  • Payroll, 5%
  • Financial Analysis, 4%
  • Oversight, 4%

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