What Do Corporate Controllers Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for corporate controllers?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what corporate controllers do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Corporate Controllers Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about corporate controllers by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Corporate Controllers plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.
Popular Job Titles For Corporate Controllers
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Controllers
- Branch Managers
- Tax Managers
- Accounting Managers
- Finance Managers
- Assistant Branch Managers
- Accountants/Assistant Controllers
- Directors of Finance
- Financial Planning and Analysis Managers
- Chief Financial Officers
- Financial Controllers
- Accounts Payable Managers
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for corporate controllers can be found.
Best Industries for Corporate Controllers
Corporate Controllers Jobs By Industry
- Depository Credit Intermediation: 11.4%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 10.3%
- Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services: 6.2%
- Insurance Carriers: 4.9%
- Other Financial Investment Activities: 4.1%
- Securities and Commodity Contracts Intermediation and Brokerage: 3.3%
- Other: 59.8%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of corporate controllers can be found working in the Depository Credit Intermediation sector. In 2023, about 11.4% of all jobs for corporate controllers were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Management of Companies and Enterprises (10.3%), Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services (6.2%), Insurance Carriers (4.9%), Other Financial Investment Activities (4.1%) and Securities and Commodity Contracts Intermediation and Brokerage (3.3%).
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What Do Corporate Controllers Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what corporate controllers do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work corporate controllers do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that corporate controllers tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for corporate controllers, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Corporate Controllers
Based on 361,134 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Corporate Controllers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | 216,478 | 60% |
| Finance | 182,650 | 51% |
| Financial Statements | 119,524 | 33% |
| Auditing | 110,148 | 31% |
| Generally Accepted Accounting Principles | 72,672 | 20% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Corporate Controllers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Management | 188,623 | 52% |
| Communication | 157,411 | 44% |
| Leadership | 145,896 | 40% |
| Operations | 138,424 | 38% |
| Budgeting | 94,392 | 26% |
Based on 361,134 job postings related to corporate controllers, accounting was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 60% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for finance, financial statements, auditing, generally accepted accounting principles and accounts payable were also highly sought.
As for common skills, management was the most desired skill found in job postings for corporate controllers, followed by communication, leadership, operations, budgeting and sales.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | 216,478 | 60% |
| Finance | 182,650 | 51% |
| Financial Statements | 119,524 | 33% |
| Auditing | 110,148 | 31% |
| Generally Accepted Accounting Principles | 72,672 | 20% |
| Accounts Payable | 54,063 | 15% |
| Internal Controls | 53,272 | 15% |
| Financial Analysis | 52,716 | 15% |
| Accounts Receivable | 51,432 | 14% |
| General Ledger | 41,317 | 11% |
| Project Management | 40,206 | 11% |
| Process Improvement | 37,894 | 10% |
| Public Accounting | 37,621 | 10% |
| Month-End Closing | 37,149 | 10% |
| Billing | 36,115 | 10% |
| External Auditing | 34,136 | 9% |
| Investments | 32,274 | 9% |
| Financial Services | 31,484 | 9% |
| Balance Sheet | 31,453 | 9% |
| Financial Planning | 31,330 | 9% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Management | 188,623 | 52% |
| Communication | 157,411 | 44% |
| Leadership | 145,896 | 40% |
| Operations | 138,424 | 38% |
| Budgeting | 94,392 | 26% |
| Sales | 91,284 | 25% |
| Customer Service | 87,210 | 24% |
| Forecasting | 87,171 | 24% |
| Microsoft Excel | 81,548 | 23% |
| Planning | 77,166 | 21% |
| Problem Solving | 75,413 | 21% |
| Detail Oriented | 73,938 | 20% |
| Writing | 59,813 | 17% |
| Microsoft Office | 56,560 | 16% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 49,518 | 14% |
| Research | 48,574 | 13% |
| Presentations | 45,863 | 13% |
| Coaching | 45,250 | 13% |
| Decision Making | 42,478 | 12% |
| Coordinating | 41,660 | 12% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Corporate Controllers
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Controllers | 74,532 | 18.1% |
| Branch Managers | 51,492 | 12.5% |
| Tax Managers | 52,482 | 12.7% |
| Accounting Managers | 42,030 | 10.2% |
| Finance Managers | 24,521 | 5.9% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was controllers, with 21,184 unique job postings. Branch managers were second, with 15,004 postings, followed by tax managers, accounting managers and finance managers.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to corporate controllers.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Controllers | 74,532 | 18.1% |
| Branch Managers | 51,492 | 12.5% |
| Tax Managers | 52,482 | 12.7% |
| Accounting Managers | 42,030 | 10.2% |
| Finance Managers | 24,521 | 5.9% |
| Assistant Branch Managers | 20,531 | 5% |
| Accountants/Assistant Controllers | 21,454 | 5.2% |
| Directors of Finance | 15,795 | 3.8% |
| Financial Planning and Analysis Managers | 17,036 | 4.1% |
| Chief Financial Officers | 16,629 | 4% |
| Financial Controllers | 15,431 | 3.7% |
| Accounts Payable Managers | 7,632 | 1.8% |
| Plant Controllers | 8,178 | 2% |
| Accounting Supervisors | 8,574 | 2.1% |
| Revenue Cycle Managers | 7,049 | 1.7% |
| Corporate Controllers | 9,611 | 2.3% |
| Accounts Payable Supervisors | 4,951 | 1.2% |
| Accounting Coordinators | 5,279 | 1.3% |
| Revenue Managers | 4,606 | 1.1% |
| Finance Directors | 4,909 | 1.2% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for corporate controllers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for corporate controllers.
How much do corporate controllers make?
Corporate Controllers: How do you become one?
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