Controller

Controller Job Description

Controllers must possess solid communication, technology, analytical and management skills. Candidates should possess knowledge of all aspects of GAAP. Public companies also require knowledge of SEC regulations and provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The role usually requires at least seven years of relevant experience and a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance. Many organizations prefer candidates who have an MBA or professional certification such as the CPA, CGMA or CMA. Experience in public accounting is highly valued.

Typical controller duties:

Overseeing the organization’s daily accounting functions accounting functions

Managing the accounting, payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable departments

Working with executive team to guide the organization’s financial decisions

Communicating regularly with (and often reporting to) the CFO

Coordinating and preparing internal and external financial statements

Coordinating activities of external auditors

Managing the budget process

Assessing current accounting operations, offering recommendations for improvement and implementing new processes

Developing and monitoring financial performance metrics

Overseeing regulatory reporting, frequently including tax planning and compliance

Hiring, training and retaining accounting staff

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Our starting salary projections come from a rigorous, multistep process so that our numbers accurately reflect the marketplace. They are based on actual compensation for professionals Robert Half has matched with employers across the country and third-party job posting data from Textkernel that we use to independently validate the salary levels.

Starting compensation—pay for someone new to a role—can vary significantly based on a candidate’s skills, experience and certifications, as well as other factors including industry, company size and revenue, and demand for the role. To reflect this variability, we report our salary data in three levels: low, mid and high.