Assistant Controller vs. Controller: What Are the Differences?

A controller is responsible for the financial management of a company and ensuring that accurate financial reports are filed in a timely manner. An assistant controller typically works under the supervision of a controller and may be responsible for some or all of the financial management tasks, depending on the size of the company. In this article, we compare the job duties, education requirements and salary expectations for controllers and assistant controllers.

What is an Assistant Controller?

Assistant Controllers typically work in accounting and finance departments to support the Controller in various aspects of financial management. They may be responsible for preparing financial statements, managing the budgeting process, overseeing investments or supervising accounting staff. In some cases, Assistant Controllers may also be responsible for managing payroll or preparing tax documents. Assistant Controllers typically have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. They should also have several years of experience working in accounting or finance.

What is a Controller?

A Controller is a senior-level position within a company that is responsible for the overall management of the accounting department. The Controller oversees the production of financial statements, the maintenance of accounting records, and the implementation of internal financial controls. They also manage the budgeting and forecasting process, and they may be involved in tax planning and compliance. In larger companies, the Controller may report to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In smaller companies, the Controller may be the CFO.

Assistant Controller vs. Controller

Here are the main differences between an assistant controller and a controller.

Job Duties

Both assistant controllers and controllers have similar job duties, such as preparing financial reports, analyzing data and overseeing daily operations. However, because of their different levels in the accounting department, their job duties may differ slightly. For example, an assistant controller may prepare some of the daily financial reports for executives, while a full-time controller typically prepares all of the daily and monthly reports for the entire accounting department and higher-level employees.

Another difference between the two roles is that an assistant controller often works closely with other departments to ensure that the accounting team has all the information it needs to complete reports on time. A controller usually focuses more on internal accounting functions and less on external reporting requirements.

Job Requirements

Assistant controllers typically need to have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or business administration. Some employers may prefer candidates who have a master’s degree as well, but it is not always required. Additionally, assistant controllers must be licensed as Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). To become a CPA, candidates must pass the Uniform CPA Examination, which is administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Controllers also need to have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or business administration. As with assistant controllers, some employers may prefer candidates who have a master’s degree, but it is not always required. Controllers must also be licensed as CPAs. In addition to passing the Uniform CPA Examination, controllers must also have at least two years of professional experience working in accounting or auditing.

Work Environment

The work environment for an assistant controller and a controller can vary depending on the size of the company they work for. For example, an assistant controller may work in a smaller company with fewer employees than a controller. This means that their job duties are more likely to be focused on completing tasks independently rather than collaborating with other team members.

A controller’s work environment is often larger because they usually work for companies with many employees. They also typically have more responsibilities than an assistant controller, which means they’re more likely to collaborate with other department heads to ensure that all aspects of the business are running smoothly.

Skills

Both assistant controllers and controllers use accounting skills to perform their jobs. This includes bookkeeping, auditing and tax preparation. They also both use financial analysis skills to examine an organization’s financial statements and identify areas of improvement.

However, controllers typically have more responsibilities than assistant controllers. For example, they may be in charge of developing the budget for an organization and ensuring that it is followed. They may also be responsible for overseeing the work of the accounting department and providing guidance to staff members. As a result, controllers often need stronger leadership and management skills than assistant controllers.

Salary

The average salary for an assistant controller is $102,056 per year, while the average salary for a controller is $127,160 per year. The salary for both positions may vary depending on the size of the company, the location of the job and the level of experience the employee has prior to taking the job.