As of May 18, 2021, the average hourly rate for a Controller in the United States is $122, which translates to an annual salary of about $253,229.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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A Controller's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Controller's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Control Senior Manager | 0-0 years | $162,981 |
| Financial Control Director | 0-0 years | $177,354 |
| Controller | 0-0 years | $253,229 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Controllers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 5.02% |
| General Ledger | 2.93% |
| Generally Accepted Accounting Principles | 1.03% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Initiative
|
$265,890 |
5%
|
|
Insight
|
$265,890 |
5%
|
|
Technical Accounting
|
$263,358 |
4%
|
|
Cash Management
|
$263,358 |
4%
|
|
Financial Management
|
$263,358 |
4%
|
|
Analytical Skills
|
$260,826 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Controllers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Controller with a Bachelor's Degree is between $242,584 and $264,930).
Controller Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.3% |
| High School | 3.9% |
| Associates | 4.1% |
| Bachelors | 57.5% |
| Masters | 33.9% |
| Doctorate | 0.3% |
Understanding how a Controller's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on May 18, 2021
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Leads and directs an organization's accounting functions. Establishes and maintains the organization's overall accounting systems, procedures, and policies. Directs all analysis and reporting of financial information including budgets, planning, and required filings and reports. Presents findings and recommendations to management. Requires a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. Typically requires Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental function within a broader corporate function. Develops major goals to support broad functional objectives. Approves policies developed within various sub-functions and departments. Typically requires 8+ years of managerial experience. Comprehensive knowledge of the overall departmental function.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
General Ledger: Creating and keeping track of business transactions and activities to monitor financial operations.
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles: Helping and maintaining accounting rules and standards for financial reporting to ensure consistency and transparency.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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