What is a plant controller and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

D. Pace Porter

A plant controller is an individual responsible for overseeing the financial operations of a manufacturing plant. They analyze financial data, create budgets, and provide financial reports to management. Plant controllers also work with other departments to ensure that production costs are minimized and profits are maximized. Overall, their role is to ensure that the plant operates efficiently from a financial standpoint and contributes to the overall success of the organization.

What general advice would you give to a Plant Controller?

D. Pace Porter

Assistant Professor, South College

The accounting profession is made up of several disciplines and is inherent in all businesses from small and medium size to large, publicly traded global companies. You should have a solid idea of where you want to begin. Private industry accounting, which industry, general accounting or tax; or public accounting with a CPA firm and audit, tax or advisory services within that type organization? These are some of the questions that you must answer for yourself, as well as for the potential interviewer. You should have the information necessary to help you answer those after completing your degree and taking all of the required accounting courses. I would also advise you to focus on general skills such as written and oral communication, technology (Excel and beyond), attention to detail, time management and above all, professional integrity.

ScorePlant ControllerUS Average

Salary

7.6

Avg. Salary $99,550

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

7.8

Growth Rate 17%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.34%

Asian 7.90%

Black or African American 8.75%

Hispanic or Latino 13.36%

Unknown 4.15%

White 65.50%

Gender

female 24.13%

male 75.87%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress Level

7.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

9.2

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

4.6

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Plant Controller?

Pros

Good salary
High level of responsibility
Opportunity for advancement
Opportunities for professional development
Exposure to different areas of the business

Cons

Long work hours and irregular schedule
Constantly changing priorities and demands
Heavy workload and tight deadlines
Dealing with complex financial data and analysis
Possible conflicts between plant goals and corporate goals.

Key steps to become a plant controller

Explore plant controller education requirements

Most common plant controller degrees

Bachelor's

77.4 %

Master's

17.9 %

Associate

3.8 %

Start to develop specific plant controller skills

Skills	Percentages
Internal Controls	5.93%
GAAP	5.06%
Plant Management	4.90%
Continuous Improvement	4.55%
Reconciliations	4.05%

Research plant controller duties and responsibilities

Manage and correct balance sheet issues including property taxes, miscellaneous accruals, inventories, and capital work- in-progress accounts.
Implement Sarbanes-Oxley internal control policy and procedures which lead to successful annual internal and external audits.
Manage general accounting functions, including monthly financial statements and audit reports, and monthly account reconciliations.
Manage monthly closing process including, account reconciliations, account analysis, preparation of monthly financial statements and other management reports.

Prepare your plant controller resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your plant controller resume.

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Apply for plant controller jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a plant controller job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams