Understanding Accounting Job Titles
To an outsider, the worlds of accounting and finance can seem like a mystery. Sure, ...
Do you have a talent for numbers, accounting, and managing multiple things at once? It’s the Controller’s job to manage accounting- and finance-related activities for a company or business. Controllers wear many hats and play a key role in everything from preparing budgets to managing other financial aspects like accounting, billing, payroll, taxes, and more.
Controllers often manage Accountants, Bookkeepers, and similar employees to help in these tasks that are so important to a company’s bottom line.
As a Controller, you’re an invaluable “behind the scenes” member of the team, monitoring the financial performance of a company and handling many aspects of daily operations and employee relations. The Controller position is one of great responsibility and opportunity.
Typical Duties and Responsibilities
- Manage all accounting operations including billing, A/R, A/P, GL and counsel, cost accounting, inventory accounting, and revenue recognition
- Monitor the financial performance of the company
- Supervise employees performing financial reporting, accounting, billing, collections, payroll, and budgeting duties
- Communicate financial metrics to senior management
- Maintain current knowledge of organizational policies and procedures, federal and state policies and directives, and current accounting standards
- Receive, record, and authorize requests for disbursements following company policies and procedures
- Handle all aspects of employee insurance, benefits, and casualty programs, including monitoring changes in health insurance regulations and creating budgets for benefits and workers’ compensation
Education and Background
This position requires a bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, or a related discipline. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designations are usually preferred.
Skills and Proficiencies
- Experience with general ledger functions and the month-end/year-end close process
- Excellent accounting software user and administration skills
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Excellent analytical and organizational skills
- Ability to work closely with the senior management team
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite software
Compensation
According to Payscale the median annual salary of a Controller with
1 Year of Experience:
- Orlando, Florida: $60,000
- Tampa, Florida: $60,000
- Jacksonville, Florida: $60,000
- Miami, Florida: $60,000
- Atlanta, Georgia: $67,000
- Chicago, Illinois: $67,000
- Houston, Texas: $65,000
- Los Angeles, California: $68,000
- New York City, New York: $68,000
- Seattle, Washington: $66,000
- Overall: $64,000
5 Years of Experience:
- Orlando, Florida: $76,000
- Tampa, Florida: $74,000
- Jacksonville, Florida: $73,000
- Miami, Florida: $77,000
- Atlanta, Georgia: $79,000
- Chicago, Illinois: $73,000
- Houston, Texas: $71,000
- Los Angeles, California: $75,000
- New York City, New York: $73,000
- Seattle, Washington: $75,000
- Overall: $$76,000
Similar Job Titles
- Staff Accountant
- Auditor
- Financial Analyst
- Bookkeeper
Career Path
This position requires a bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, or a related discipline, with Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification usually preferred.
CPA certification involves passing the Uniform CPA Exam set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). CMA certification can be earned by passing the CMA exam.
Position Trends
According to Investopedia, accounting professionals who rise to the Controller position typically earn above-average salaries, with some at large companies having the opportunity to make well above average.
Job Outlook
The accounting and auditing services sector (which generally includes Controllers) is expected to grow stably at six percent through the year 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is an average growth rate, but a stable one for candidates interested in this work.
Typical Hours
The typical work hours for a Controller can be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in an office setting. However, longer or different hours can, at times, be necessary.
Where You Can Find Jobs
Are You Interested in Becoming a Controller?
Here at 4 Corner Resources, we will connect you to one of our headhunters or recruiters to see if you are a perfect fit for one of our job openings. If a job opening does not suit you, we will always keep you in mind as new positions open up. We have vast experience connecting professionals with some of the most well-known organizations in the country. Your next job or career path can be right around the corner. Check out our latest open positions and our blog for career advice. Feel free to contact us at any time.