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Job outlook for controllers in the United States
Controller job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected controller job growth rate is 17% from 2018-2028.
About 123,100 new jobs for controllers are projected over the next decade.
Controller salaries have increased 10% for controllers in the last 5 years.
There are over 201,768 controllers currently employed in the United States.
There are 75,440 active controller job openings in the US.
The average controller salary is $101,204.
Are controller jobs in demand?
Controller job and salary trends over time
Controller jobs over time
Controller job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 201,768 | 0.06% |
| 2020 | 193,578 | 0.06% |
| 2019 | 194,112 | 0.06% |
| 2018 | 180,975 | 0.05% |
| 2017 | 170,053 | 0.05% |
Average controller salary over time
Controller salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $101,204 | $48.66 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $97,969 | $47.10 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $96,536 | $46.41 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $94,341 | $45.36 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $91,829 | $44.15 | +3.2% |
Controller jobs by state
Most common states for controllers
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 347 | 50% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,156 | 17% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 143 | 15% |
| 4 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 768 | 14% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 751 | 13% |
| 6 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,546 | 12% |
| 7 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 958 | 11% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 786 | 11% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 691 | 11% |
| 10 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 405 | 11% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 332 | 11% |
| 12 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 149 | 11% |
| 13 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,021 | 10% |
| 14 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 417 | 10% |
| 15 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 106 | 10% |
| 16 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 928 | 9% |
| 17 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 279 | 9% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 95 | 9% |
| 19 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,590 | 8% |
| 20 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 743 | 8% |
Most common cities for controllers
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bloomington | 6 | 7% | $93,476 |
| 2 | Atlanta | 17 | 4% | $83,745 |
| 3 | Little Rock | 5 | 3% | $78,391 |
| 4 | Denver | 14 | 2% | $84,536 |
| 5 | Minneapolis | 7 | 2% | $93,663 |
| 6 | Urban Honolulu | 6 | 2% | $73,429 |
| 7 | Des Moines | 5 | 2% | $78,924 |
| 8 | Chicago | 24 | 1% | $92,188 |
| 9 | Phoenix | 11 | 1% | $95,033 |
| 10 | San Francisco | 9 | 1% | $120,399 |
| 11 | Washington | 9 | 1% | $101,435 |
| 12 | Boston | 8 | 1% | $112,814 |
| 13 | San Diego | 8 | 1% | $102,130 |
| 14 | Baltimore | 6 | 1% | $104,004 |
| 15 | Miami | 6 | 1% | $79,090 |
| 16 | Colorado Springs | 5 | 1% | $84,717 |
| 17 | New York | 10 | 0% | $121,157 |
| 18 | Los Angeles | 8 | 0% | $106,891 |
Controller job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of controller experts
Manhattan College
Fairfield University
Siena College
Lynn University
Henderson State University
Ferrum College
University of Oregon
Stonehill College
American University
Albion College
Skyline College
Oakland University
University of Missouri - St Louis
Muhlenberg College
Keith Kerr Prof.
What general advice would you give to a Controller?
Keith Kerr Prof.: There are two approaches to maximizing your salary potential, but only one approach that is completely under our control. While we can learn the best ways to approach employers to advocate for raises and promotions, the outcome of this is dependent on many external factors. What you can control, however, is how you manage the money that you do make. Taking the time to make a detailed budget of your income, expenses and debts allows one to find ways to control their spending, thus generating extra cash for saving and investing each month.
What Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Keith Kerr Prof.: There are two basic ways that most people in the US find financial success: Either find a job that pays a high salary, or find a career that you love, regardless of the salary, and make a habit of saving and investing part of your income each month starting with your first paycheck.
If you invest only $90 a month starting at 21 and ending at retirement, you would have a bit over 1 million dollars (assuming a 10% annual gain). Wait just 5 years and start doing this at 26 and your 5 years of time will have cost you $400,000 by retirement. This is the power of compounding. Start early and even with a lower salary, you still can find financial success while pursuing careers that are meaningful to you.
What will help Controllers increase their earning potential?
Keith Kerr Prof.: Grant writing is perhaps the most important skill for sociology majors to acquire. Not all sociology programs offer such skills (luckily my department at Quinnipiac does), but all sociology programs offer courses in research methodology. These skills are all skills that are needed to successfully write grants.
More so, with the research skills and practice in grant writing, one is in a position to approach potential employers as a hire that will more than pay for itself in the grant money that the potential employee can bring into the organization.
What general advice would you give to a Controller?
Dr. Natalia Boliari PhD: First, learn everything about the company you just started working for - its historical path, management, the way it's dealt with crises, etc. Second, learn everything about the specific industry the company belongs to and see how the company has developed relative to the development of the industry domestically and internationally. Third, always be extremely alert to notice new opportunities and be prepared to take calculated risks. That is, actively look for opportunities to complete as many and diverse tasks as possible, and volunteer to complete any type of work regardless of whether it seems relevant to your assigned job or not. Opportunities to learn, grow, and improve and thus to maximize your income, will only come up if you are exposed to diverse situations.
What Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Natalia Boliari PhD: Be open minded. Finance is the broad definition of an industry which provides opportunities for careers in financial consultancy, financial analysis, stock brokerage, foreign investment, modeling, exchange rate forecasts, and many more. While most of those careers are attributed to the banking industry, you can find those and others in other sectors of the economy, such as insurance, technology, health care/medical, government, and so on. So, be open and look beyond the banking sector, examine the current and predicted trends in the economy to hunt for exciting career options.
What will help Controllers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Natalia Boliari PhD: Skills in research, programming, and modeling. Research skills are difficult to develop and many students don't have the patience or even the desire to acquire them. But they are critical for careers in finance and remain a top set of skills for employers. Programming and modeling helps with decision making by reducing (potentially) the degree of economic and market uncertainties as well as with forecasts. So definitely invest time in learning and continuously developing research and programming skills in the career niche you are pursuing.
What general advice would you give to a Controller?
John McDermott Ph.D.: To maximize your salary potential, keep learning, investing in your human capital, and expanding your capabilities. Learn as much as you can about your new position and industry, work with a variety of people at your firm, and seek opportunities outside your comfort zone. Your salary potential will increase as you are recognized as a capable and hard working colleague.
What Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John McDermott Ph.D.: Be enthusiastic, work hard, and treat every assignment as a chance to learn and showcase your abilities. Seek out new and exciting opportunities, this will provide you the opportunity to expand your skill set and above all to help your company move forward.
Feng Dong
Assistant Professor of Finance, Douglas Hickey Chair in Business, Siena CollegeSiena College
Finance And Financial Management Services
What Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Feng Dong: As an entry level job, a junior finance analyst’s work primarily involves supporting senior analysts and managers through various tasks. This includes gathering and organizing financial data from multiple sources, conducting preliminary analyses based on the financial tools and software, and preparing the reports and presenting them to the senior analysts. Meanwhile, the job also requires some administrative tasks such as organizing financial documents and routine works such as maintaining some basic financial models. The main purpose of this position is to help the junior analysts develop their knowledge and skills within some specific industries/areas, get familiar with the financial regulations and market trends, and generate enough practical experiences.
What will help Controllers increase their earning potential?
Feng Dong: Finance analysts often appreciate the clear career growth and opportunities in the field. There are well-defined paths for advancing to senior roles like Finance Manager, Director of Finance, or CFO. You can work in different industries and specialize in specific areas, which opens up a wide range of career options. You get to shape your career based on your interests and strengths. Plus, the pay is quite competitive. Finance analysts usually receive high salaries, benefits, and performance-based bonuses. Also, finance analysts are getting to work with advanced financial software, data analytics tools, and cutting-edge technologies like AI and machine learning. It keeps the work interesting and innovative. However, the pressure can be intense, with tight deadlines and the huge impact financial decisions can have on a company's performance. It can be especially tough for newcomers. And the long hours are a common complaint. During critical financial reporting periods, work-life balance can take a hit with extra hours, including evenings and weekends. Some roles and industries are particularly demanding during budgeting and auditing seasons. On top of that, technical issues with financial software and tools can be a major headache. And with technology constantly evolving, you need to keep up and keep learning, which can be demanding.
What Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
David Spohn DBA, MBA, MJUR, CWM®: On a day-to-day basis, a finance analyst typically engages in activities that revolve around the analysis and interpretation of financial data to inform and guide strategic business decisions. This involves collecting data from various sources, including market reports, financial statements, and other relevant documents. The primary task is to model financial scenarios using this data, providing insights into business performance, market trends, and investment opportunities. For those new to the field, the day often includes rigorous training in data analysis tools, attending meetings with senior analysts and mentors, and developing detailed reports that summarize financial findings. New entrants often focus on supporting specific projects or segments of the financial analysis process, gradually taking on more responsibility as they gain experience and expertise.
What will help Controllers increase their earning potential?
David Spohn DBA, MBA, MJUR, CWM®: Likes:
- Intellectual Stimulation: Many finance analysts enjoy the challenge of solving complex financial puzzles and deriving insights from data. The role often requires staying updated with the latest economic trends and financial theories, providing continuous learning opportunities.
- Impact on Decision-making: Analysts often take pride in the fact that their work directly influences strategic business decisions. This can be highly rewarding, especially when their recommendations lead to successful outcomes.
- Career Opportunities: The field offers numerous pathways for career advancement. Analysts can ascend to roles in senior management, specialize in particular sectors such as fintech or healthcare, or move into investment roles.
Dislikes:
- High Pressure: The role can be highly stressful, with tight deadlines and significant implications tied to their analyses and recommendations. Financial markets are dynamic, and the pressure to provide accurate, timely insights can be intense.
- Monotony in Initial Stages: New entrants might find the work initially repetitive as they learn the ropes of data collection and basic analysis techniques. The intellectual rewards and more engaging tasks often come with increased responsibility.
- Work-Life Balance: Depending on the employer and the state of the market, long hours can be common, especially during financial reporting periods or significant market changes, which can impact work-life balance.
What Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Clemens Kownatzki PhD, MBA: In the past five years, almost every conversation I had with executives looking to hire new finance graduates included the word Python. A couple of decades ago it was all about Excel skills, Pivot tables, and SQL but the expectation today is that finance graduates have some basic skills in statistics and data science and know Python. And the most popular and widely accepted programming language today is Python (and R depending on who you talk to). It may be something else in five years but for now, learn Python. And it’s been easier than ever before to get a basic grasp of the important elements of this language with a tool that is free, as opposed to many other tools like SQL, SAAS, Matlab, and Stata that cost money and have a declining adoption in the industry. With a wider adoption of AI, it is increasingly about efficiency. How can you create a financial model for a project faster than before? What took 8 hours to write the code for a sophisticated model, might only take 30 minutes or less today. Learning how to use AI as an efficiency and productivity tool will be essential. And lastly, you still have to understand concepts well and use your critical thinking skills to be successful in any field. Let’s not forget, ChatGPT is not intelligent, it’s just a probability box that’s all; but it can help a knowledge worker to be incredibly efficient and productive.
What will help Controllers increase their earning potential?
Clemens Kownatzki PhD, MBA: As a beginner in any field, it pays to listen more than to talk. Be humble, pay attention, be nice to folks and probably most helpful is having a mentor who can guide you along and show you some best practices for navigating your career. You should take advantage of your education, not just to show a piece of paper that says you graduated but think of every single project, essay or paper that you write as part of a portfolio that demonstrates your skill sets. Especially in finance where we can sometimes be enamored with the beauty of a mathematical model, think about how any model should be applied in the real world. In some cases that might mean that you have to “get your hands on the wheel and learn how to drive.” I am not suggesting that you should put all your savings at risk and buy the next iteration of the latest cryptocurrency, but If you’re interested in a career in investing, put a small amount of money at risk and trade a stock, or if you must trade a few dollars’ worth of Bitcoin or Ether – as much as you would risk for a movie ticket seems reasonable. There are lots of virtual trading apps where you can trade with paper money, but there’s nothing like understanding risk when your own dollars are at stake, even if it’s just a few dollars. You should also absorb all the workshops, seminars and resources available out there. Follow Prof. Aswath Damodaran who has a YouTube Channel and hundreds of spreadsheets with financial models, all for free! Also follow some good content providers on various channels to get additional insights – in the field of finance, you need to be up-to-date on all events because those influence markets and the economy. Be ready to continue learning and update your skills and understanding while you’re working. Education doesn’t end after you finish your degree. All successful people are life-long learners.
What will help Controllers increase their earning potential?
Lisa Bell MBA, CPA: Artificial Intelligence(AI) isn't changing accounting, but it is changing how accounting is performed. Organizations will need to learn how to leverage AI to decrease redundant data entry and increase data analysis. Effective use of AI can lead to significant increases in efficiencies which allow organizations to have a more competitive edge
What general advice would you give to a Controller?
Timothy Egan M.S. Marketing: -Research the company well for your first job as it will impact the way you feel about full-time employment. -Your first job won't be your last job. Use it to learn about yourself and an environment you can thrive in -Don't be afraid to move for a job opportunity or a second one for the first few years. Because if you want a spouse/partner, children, pets and a home it will be harder to explore the world with all those responsibilities. -If you want to work 100% remotely that can be good/flexible for a young professional, but you make yourself vulnerable to layoffs and disconnection. Having face time with management and coworkers builds an important rapport. Hybrid is better than remote
What Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Timothy Egan M.S. Marketing: -Understanding finance and how it impacts the operations of where you work, can help you have great insight into new opportunities or see the writing on the wall in tough times. -Don't be afraid to learn new technologies, especially ones that collect data. Enhance your tech-based skills as that will increase your value to the organization where you work and the business community at large. -Learn Spanish. While globalization may have you think about learning an Asian language, the Spanish speaking market is the faster growing in the US and has been since 2010.
What will help Controllers increase their earning potential?
Timothy Egan M.S. Marketing: -Under promise and over deliver. -Know your value, self-assess your skills, your knowledge and your role. Understand when and when not a company can give increases. -Build an internal support system. Make sure you have people who will go to bat for you when you want to move up internally. -After succeeding don't be afraid to ask for an increase. -And remember, stay humble. The minute you think you know everything; you haven't learned anything.
Dr. Karen Carpenter
Associate Professor of Health & Human PerformanceFerrum College
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences
What will help Controllers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Karen Carpenter: This field is wide open. Decide the population you want to work with and what space you want to be in. Certifications are very valuable to get employed immediately virtually anywhere in the country. Our discipline has the power to save lives. It is an extremely rewarding profession.
What general advice would you give to a Controller?
Ms. Leah Parker-Roth 15, CPA: One common criticism of accounting is the long hours and the demanding 'busy season.' However, based on my own experience working in public accounting, although there were long hours, I had the opportunity to work with various clients and was able to learn many skills, including sales tax, payroll preparation, financial statement preparation, bookkeeping, and tax return preparation.
What Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ms. Leah Parker-Roth 15, CPA: Accounting is an excellent field to enter right now because it isn't going anywhere. Even with advancements in artificial intelligence and automation, clients still need accountants to interpret complex tax laws and regulations that are constantly evolving. Accounting is the language of business and is a valuable skill to have. Moreover, accountants examine financial information to provide useful insights to clients, enabling them to make well-informed business decisions.
What will help Controllers increase their earning potential?
Ms. Leah Parker-Roth 15, CPA: Due to the broad nature of accounting, it is challenging to describe an accountant's typical day-to-day life accurately. However, this is a good thing because there are various specific areas within accounting, such as public accounting and governmental accounting. Accounting professionals generally expect to perform a standard set of tasks and utilize specific skills, including analytical skills and effective communication with colleagues and clients. While anyone can gather and organize data, accountants possess the expertise to analyze and communicate the data. Accountants perform specific tasks, including preparing financial statements and tax returns, payroll processing, maintaining accounting systems, and providing consulting services.
What general advice would you give to a Controller?
Abbie Daly PhD, CPA: Accounting is often referred to as the "language of business" because accountants communicate financial information. So communication is an integral part of an accountant's day. For example, auditors and tax preparers meet with their clients to understand their financial information, and accountants at organizations prepare and communicate financial information to guide strategic decisions. To facilitate these communications, accountants analyze and interpret many data points. For example, in auditing the revenue recognized by a company, an auditor would examine the underlying transactions, contracts, and supporting documentation.
Z. Jay Wang
Department Head, Associate Professor of FinanceUniversity of Oregon
Finance And Financial Management Services
What will help Controllers increase their earning potential?
Z. Jay Wang: Students who have a history of doing work in the field outside the classroom either through internships, industry projects, or school-sponsored clubs managing financial decisions are better poised to maximize starting salary potential. Starting early to secure internships with top companies will also position students well for higher earning potential. Most top banks and firms will post internships from April/May to August, and close by the end of September for the following summer. They are also rolling, so may fill the roles by as early as June of the sophomore year for the following summer after junior year. Finally, networking with industry and alumni professionals in the companies, firms, banks prior to applying for an internship or full-time position will have an impact. The candidate will learn more about the opportunity and company culture for their resume and potential interview, and most top companies in finance will have a referral program. If the candidate impresses the internal connection with excellent questions and strategic answers, they may get a referral that moves them up in the stacks of applicants.
What general advice would you give to a Controller?
Z. Jay Wang: As you onboard into your first roles in finance, a great work ethic and strong technical skills are obviously important for your long-term success. Moreover, your human skills will be as important as your technical skill. Ensure you practice and develop your communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and project management skills. In terms of technical skills attention to detail, use of data analytics tools, and visualization will be very valuable. Another often overlooked skill is written communication. Many students fail to realize the importance of effective communications.
What Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Z. Jay Wang: Big data analytical and quantitative skills have become increasingly important in the past decade. Moreover, AI will be a part of how you work. Understand and practice how this tool can help you solve simple tasks, and do research and assessment of data efficiently and strategically.
What Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Wayne Durr: My advice to a graduate beginning their career in Finance is don't stop learning. You've spent
the last four plus years grinding through the required academics to graduate, but how much did
you learn? Most students spend most of their time "memorizing" the content necessary to pass
their exams, but memorizing isn't learning. Employers aren't as patient as in years past and
want new graduates to jump in and be productive. Employers aren't spending money and
resources on long training periods for new graduates. This doesn't mean you must return to
college or spend money on additional courses. Once you've landed that job that begins your
career in the world of Finance, find ways to increase your knowledge of the tasks assigned to
you by that employer-great sites like Coursera, Udemy, etc. Find current books related to the
topic, use audiobooks, ebooks, podcasts, etc. These can all be ways to update your learning in
a simple and shorter time frame. You might find listening to an audible book or podcast more
enjoyable without memorizing the content to pass an exam. Even contact a former professor for
recommendations. Many of your former professors do the same thing to stay current in their
field.
What general advice would you give to a Controller?
Dr. Wayne Durr: Maximizing your salary potential starts with understanding your value. What skills and
capabilities can you articulate to a prospective employer? The ability to articulate these skills
and what you bring to that company can be challenging. Think of your resume like an artist
thinks of their portfolio. What projects or analysis have you worked on? You cannot articulate
the value you will bring to that prospective company without the ability to articulate your skills
and capabilities. Do your research to determine what other employers pay people with the
same abilities. Ask employers what the salary range is and use that as your baseline. As you
get close to graduating, your classmates talk about the job offers they receive and most likely
share the salaries they are being offered. Listen and use this as a baseline. All this gives you
an idea of your value. Your first job isn't always the place where you'll be able to maximize your
earning potential. Think of your first job as where you will get the work experience to maximize
your future earning potential. Look at this as the place where you will sharpen your skills and
develop new ones. This first job will be where you fill out your resume and either have an
opportunity to maximize your earning potential there or elsewhere in the future.
Additionally, think about passive income and the "side gig". If you don't feel like you're
maximizing your earning potential at that first job, think about how you can make money on the
side. I believe we now live in a society where truly maximizing your earning potential comes
from more than your current employer. The ability to earn money from a side gig is more
prevalent than ever before. I think every student should take an entrepreneur class. Think
about your skills, which one could make you some side money. Don't dismiss jobs you did
growing up, like delivery service, landscaping, etc. There are so many apps and websites that
people and companies are looking for anything from an hour to a couple of days worth of work.
Take that first six months on the job to get settled in, and then start thinking about that side gig.
Octavian Ionici PhD
Sr. Lecturer in FinanceAmerican University
Finance And Financial Management Services
What general advice would you give to a Controller?
Octavian Ionici PhD: The right education and training along with solid interpersonal skills should be at the top of their skill set. With those skills they can navigate potential disruptions to the workforce, future business trends and emerging technologies.
Hard core financial modeling skills are a must for finance, especially now with algorithmic business applications multiplying with the emergence of AI. Knowing how to develop a model that will answer multiple what-if scenarios for allocating resources, securing funding, managing risk, developing future plans, and making smart decisions overall.
Because AI, chatbots, blockchain and other "robots" will help companies simplify the workflows (preparing the reports and processes) faster, people will need to understand how to apply these technologies in order to analyze the results and to make decisions in real time.
People will also need to monitor the AI models and to constantly check for accuracy and biases. A big emphasis will be on collaboration of interdisciplinary teams of professionals working in IT, finance, accounting, HR and leadership. This means that companies will value employees that know how to find business information and deliver answers across functional areas proactively.
Finally, as they are working in a global interconnected world, they need to understand different cultures, regulations, and societal norms, so that they can respectfully communicate their ideas in cross-cultural situations. Along with the necessary technical skills, having an open mind and strong customer service focus will benefit them as the field continues to evolve.
What Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Octavian Ionici PhD: The finance profession is lucrative, rewarding and very competitive. Graduates should do their research about the organization they are interviewing with and be able to discuss how their skills can contribute to the business. They should also know if they would rather interact with people and clients or if they are drawn to intellectual pursuits such as analysis. Do they value power, prestige status, risk, or something else? Ultimately our core values, personal goals, interests, aptitudes, and personality will shape our career paths.
Being able to articulate what sparked their interest in the financial field and why they are interested in a chosen role will be an advantage during the hiring process. While still in college, students should join a professional association like the Financial Management Association to give them more access to that broad network, as well as access to career development resources that can set them apart from the crowd.
It's also critical to get an internship (paid or unpaid) in order to show some real-life experience. They can do this while they are still in college, during the summers, or even afterwards, to get a foot in the door.
Reading the WSJ and FT daily, and listening to Bloomberg, or other financial programs as a regular practice will help them to have fluency in the language of our profession. Because the finance sector is heavily regulated and changes occur due to changing economic and political conditions, they will need to stay updated with those changes. Financial media sources will help bring them that context to stay up to date on all of these moving parts.
What general advice would you give to a Controller?
Dr. Kimberly Gaither: Finance majors will also be valued for their analytical skills, but more and more soft skills will be valued into the future. Communicating your analysis in a manner consistent with your audience will make you a valued person in the field. Students who were forced to navigate learning along through COVID will need to be able to re-engage in person-to-person professional relationships, even when those meetings are remote. Clear writing is essential today and may not have been stressed in your curriculum. There are many opportunities to continuously upskill, take advantage of those courses.
What Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kimberly Gaither: Maximize your salary potential by asking questions and learning as quickly as possible. Be a good communicator with those above and below you as well as your peers. Be dependable. Persons who show up early and work hard will be valued and rewarded.
What will help Controllers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kimberly Gaither: Maximize your salary potential by asking questions and learning as quickly as possible. Be a good communicator with those above and below you as well as your peers. Be dependable. Persons who show up early and work hard will be valued and rewarded.
Dr. Jon Hooks Ph.D., CFA, CFP®
Professor of Economics and ManagementAlbion College
Economics
What will help Controllers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jon Hooks Ph.D., CFA, CFP®: I encourage all my finance students to double major or minor in data analytics, computer science, or math. The top jobs are increasingly quantitative.
Tony Viertel
Accounting Dept. CoordinatorSkyline College
Accounting And Related Services
What general advice would you give to a Controller?
Tony Viertel: This answer to this question depends on if an account is
working in public accounting or private industry. Public accountants perform the following
tasks:
a. Client communication: Public accountants frequently communicate with clients,
either in person, via phone calls, or through email. They discuss financial
matters, provide project updates, address client concerns, and gather necessary
information to complete tasks.
b. Auditing: For clients requiring audit services, public accountants conduct audits
to verify the accuracy and completeness of financial records. This involves
examining documents, conducting interviews, testing internal controls, and
assessing compliance with relevant regulations and accounting standards.
c. Tax preparation and planning: Public accountants assist clients with tax planning
strategies to minimize tax liabilities while ensuring compliance with tax laws and
regulations. They prepare and file tax returns for individuals, businesses, and
organizations.
d. Consulting Services: Public accountants offer consulting services to clients
seeking advice on various financial matters, such as budgeting, forecasting,
mergers and acquisitions, risk management, and internal controls improvement.
Accountants in private industry perform the following tasks:
a. Financial reporting: Private industry accountants are responsible for preparing
financial statements such as balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow
statements. These reports provide a snapshot of the company's financial health
and performance over a specific period.
b. Budgeting and forecasting: Accountants collaborate with management to develop
annual budgets and forecasts for revenue, expenses, and cash flow. They
monitor actual performance against budgeted figures, analyze variances, and
recommend adjustments to achieve financial goals.
c. Cost accounting: Accountants in private industry analyze the costs associated
with producing goods or services. They calculate product costs, track inventory
levels, and identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
d. Internal controls: Accountants design, implement, and monitor internal control
procedures to safeguard company assets, prevent fraud, and ensure compliance
with regulations and company policies. They may conduct internal audits to
assess control measures' effectiveness and identify improvement areas.
What Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tony Viertel: Stability and demand: Accounting is a fundamental function for businesses across
industries. There will always be a demand for skilled accountants to manage financial
records, ensure regulatory compliance, and provide strategic financial advice.
Diverse career opportunities: Accountants can work in various sectors such as public
accounting, corporate accounting, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and
academia. This diversity allows for flexibility and the opportunity to explore different
career paths.
Professional growth: The accounting profession offers numerous opportunities for
advancement, including obtaining certifications such as Certified Public Accountant
(CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
These certifications can open doors to higher-paying positions and increased
responsibilities.
Intellectual Challenge: Accounting involves problem-solving, analysis, and interpretation
of financial data. It requires critical thinking skills and attention to detail.
Liang Fu Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Accounting, ChairOakland University
Finance And Financial Management Services
What Controller skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Liang Fu Ph.D.: Really depends on what they do.
Thomas Kozloski PhD, CPA, CGMA
Chair - Department of AccountingUniversity of Missouri - St Louis
Accounting And Related Services
What general advice would you give to a Controller?
Thomas Kozloski PhD, CPA, CGMA: This is an excellent time to enter the accounting profession! Not only because technology continues to remove some of the more mechanical tasks that used to be performed by a person, but also because there is an extreme shortage of accounting-educated personnel across the country, especially those seeking to enter the profession. This fact is increasing salaries and benefits as hiring companies compete to hire new professionals.
What will help Controllers increase their earning potential?
Thomas Kozloski PhD, CPA, CGMA: This is an excellent time to enter the accounting profession! Not only because technology continues to remove some of the more mechanical tasks that used to be performed by a person, but also because there is an extreme shortage of accounting-educated personnel across the country, especially those seeking to enter the profession. This fact is increasing salaries and benefits as hiring companies compete to hire new professionals.
What will help Controllers increase their earning potential?
Ermira Mazziotta MBA, CPA, CFE: Accounting students are in a very good position to land well paying jobs because of the demand. Most important advice I would give is to continue to learn and grow and invest in your professional growth by taking classes, working on different clients from different industries and most importantly network. If you have an option to work in the office, do that instead of working remotely. Making those face to face connections will help propel and grow your career.