Post job

Unit controller vs senior finance manager

The differences between unit controllers and senior finance managers 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 senior finance manager. Additionally, a senior finance manager has an average salary of $133,358, 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 senior finance manager are hyperion, financial performance, and financial analysis.

Unit controller vs senior finance manager overview

Unit ControllerSenior Finance Manager
Yearly salary$104,008$133,358
Hourly rate$50.00$64.11
Growth rate17%17%
Number of jobs55,537139,639
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
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 senior finance manager do?

A senior finance manager is an individual who supervises financial department staff members as well as monitors the daily financial operations within a company. Senior finance managers must keep track of the financial status and performance of the company so that they can identify areas for potential improvement. They review financial data and prepare reports to be presented to the management to help them in their business decision making. Senior finance managers must also maintain policies within the company and should have a deep understanding of financial regulations and legislations.

Unit controller vs senior finance manager salary

Unit controllers and senior finance managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Unit ControllerSenior Finance Manager
Average salary$104,008$133,358
Salary rangeBetween $70,000 And $153,000Between $95,000 And $185,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyWacker ChemieRoku
Best paying industryTechnologyProfessional

Differences between unit controller and senior finance manager education

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

Unit ControllerSenior Finance Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorAccountingAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Unit controller vs senior finance manager demographics

Here are the differences between unit controllers' and senior finance managers' demographics:

Unit ControllerSenior Finance Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 69.3% Female, 30.7%Male, 70.3% Female, 29.7%
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, 7.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 10.0% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between unit controller and senior finance manager 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

Senior finance manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage regional treasury functions including coordination with international HQ for daily cash balance requirements.
  • Manage staff of financial analysts who perform divisional and branch portfolio and profit/loss analysis.
  • Manage Oracle/Hyperion application upgrade used to support the close, consolidate and report process within Oracle/PeopleSoft ERP environment.
  • Manage financial reporting in support of CEO/CFO/President with oversight for data integrity and consistency of reporting across enterprise.
  • Manage eight team members' activities including daily transaction processing, monthly reconciliations and analysis, and financial statement preparation
  • Manage senior financial analysts responsible for evaluating the financial risks of a portfolio of large property and casualty insurance programs.
  • Show more

Unit controller vs senior finance manager skills

Common unit controller skills
  • Financial Analysis, 9%
  • Payroll, 8%
  • Financial Reports, 6%
  • Internal Controls, 5%
  • Close Process, 5%
  • Financial Data, 5%
Common senior finance manager skills
  • Hyperion, 7%
  • Financial Performance, 5%
  • Financial Analysis, 5%
  • Business Development, 4%
  • SR, 4%
  • Financial Models, 4%

Browse executive management jobs