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Management & Operations job descriptions

Controller Job Description

The Controller plays a critical role in ensuring the financial health and integrity of the company. This position is responsible for overseeing all accounting operations, financial reporting, and compliance with regulatory standards. The Controller supports strategic decision-making by providing detailed financial insights and analysis.
Alexandra
Linkedin
4/14/25

Controller Job Overview

Similar Job Titles

🔹Controller
🔹 Financial Controller
🔹 Accounting Manager

Main Missions

The Controller plays a critical role in ensuring the financial health and integrity of the company. This position is responsible for overseeing all accounting operations, financial reporting, and compliance with regulatory standards. The Controller supports strategic decision-making by providing detailed financial insights and analysis.

Key Responsabilities

Tools

  • ERP Systems: Manage financial data and processes (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics).
  • Spreadsheet Software: Analyze and present financial data (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets).
  • Financial Reporting Software: Generate financial reports (e.g., QuickBooks, NetSuite, Sage Intacct).
  • Data Visualization Tools: Present financial insights (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, QlikView).

Skills

  • Financial Analysis
  • Budgeting
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Leadership
  • Strategic Planning

Key vocabulary

  • GAAP: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, a framework of accounting standards.
  • Internal Controls: Processes to ensure the integrity of financial and accounting information.
  • Forecasting: The process of predicting future financial performance.
  • Audit: An official inspection of an organization's accounts.
  • ERP: Enterprise Resource Planning, a type of software used to manage business processes.

Career path

Controllers can advance to higher roles such as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or Finance Director. They may also transition into specialized roles like Risk Management or Financial Planning & Analysis.

Salary

In the USA, Controllers typically earn between $80,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience and location.

Benefits

Common benefits in the USA include health insurance, retirement plans, and performance bonuses.


Controller Job Description

Job Title

Controller

To help you :
✅ A clear, concise sentence to describe the role
✅ The job title must be clear and reflect the role, as it's the first thing candidates see
✅ Needs to match with the keywords candidates search for on job boards and search engines.
🚫 Avoid company-specific titles.

Company Description

This section is specific to your business activity - we cannot provide you with a ready-to-use template.
To help you, here are the elements that must be included:
✅ Your mission
✅ The products and/or services that support this mission
✅ The type and number of customers you serve
✅ Your mid- and long-term goals, with concrete figures
✅ Any other ambitious projects (geographic expansion, new verticals, etc.)

💡 Bonus: Add engaging content like photos, videos, CEO podcasts, or anything else that showcases your vision and ambitions.

Job Brief

As a Controller, you will be instrumental in managing the company's financial operations, ensuring accuracy in reporting, and compliance with financial regulations. You will lead the accounting team and provide strategic financial insights that drive business success.

To complete this section, here are the essential elements that must be included :
✅ A clear and concise sentence describing the role
✅ Its position in the organizational chart
✅ The scope of responsibility including (if applicable) the size of the team to be managed
✅ One or two specific, long-term objectives for the position

Key Responsabilities

  • Prepare and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
  • Develop and monitor internal controls to ensure data accuracy.
  • Lead the budgeting process and provide variance analysis.
  • Ensure compliance with GAAP and other regulatory requirements.
  • Coordinate with external auditors and manage audit processes.
  • Provide financial insights to senior management for strategic planning.
  • Oversee the accounting team and support their professional development.

Skills & Qualifications

🎓 Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required. A CPA or CMA certification is preferred.

💪 Typically, 5-7 years of experience in accounting or financial management roles is expected.

🎯 Main Hard Skills

  • Financial Reporting
  • Budget Management
  • GAAP Compliance
  • ERP Software Proficiency
  • Data Analysis

🙂 Main Soft Skills

  • Attention to Detail
  • Communication
  • Problem-Solving
  • Leadership

Conditions & Benefits

This section is specific to your company - we cannot provide you with a ready-to-use template.
To help you, here are the elements that can be included:
✅ Employment type: Full-time, part-time, freelance, contract, etc.
✅ Location: City + any location-specific benefits
✅ Work schedule: Remote, in-office, or hybrid (ideally with details on the expected balance)
✅ Salary: You can choose to provide a range or leave it unspecified.
✅ Benefits: Outline what you offer in terms of healthcare, wellness programs, parental leave, transportation stipends, and more.

💡 Tip: Work conditions are one of the most important factors for candidates when considering a job. Transparency and honesty go a long way.

Interview Process

This section is specific to your company - we cannot provide you with a ready-to-use template.
To help you, here is a typical process:
1️⃣ Initial phone screening with (Recruiter’s Name), our (Recruiter’s Title) - 30 min
2️⃣ Interview with (Hiring Manager’s Name “HM”), our (HM’s Role) - 45 min
3️⃣ Case study with (HM’s Name), our (HM’s Role) - 1 hour in person
4️⃣ Cultural fit interview with (HM’s Manager’s Name), our (Manager’s Role) - 30 min in person
5️⃣ Team meeting with (HM’s Team Name) – in person
6️⃣ Reference checks

FAQ

🔹What are the key duties of a Controller ?

Key duties include overseeing financial reporting, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing budgets, and supervising the accounting team.

🔹How does the Controller collaborate with other teams ?

The Controller works closely with departments like operations and sales to optimize financial performance and support strategic initiatives.

🔹What essential skills are required for a Controller ?

Essential skills include financial analysis, regulatory compliance, leadership, and proficiency with ERP systems.

🔹What career progression opportunities exist for a Controller ?

Controllers can advance to roles like Chief Financial Officer or Finance Director and may specialize in areas like Risk Management.

🔹What educational qualifications are needed for this role ?

A Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance is required, with CPA or CMA certifications being preferred.

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