what is a financial controller?
A financial controller oversees all accounting and financial activities in a company. You give accurate reports of updated financial information to company executives in a timely manner.
For this field, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree, although an MBA is preferred, and certification as a financial controller. These skills will help you get your foot in the door towards a successful career.
The next thing you'll need is experience. You can start as an accountant or an auditor. You can learn more by working as an assistant financial controller for at least two years. You'll learn more about what a financial controller does by working as closely as possible with all members of a company's finance department.
You may even start working with groups as a finance director, where you'll oversee accounting practices, write reports and develop strategies to boost revenue. Or you may decide to try operational finance where you'll learn firsthand what drives a business to financial success. Once you've been successful as a financial controller, you may enter the C-suite as a CFO, or chief financial officer, of a company.
Would a career as a financial controller suit your passion for financial analysis and critical thinking? Then read on to learn more about what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a financial controller role.
view jobs near youaverage financial controller salary
Would you like to know what a financial controller earns? Where the highest salaries are paid for a financial controller? Then check out this financial controller salary page and find out all about the salary of a financial controller in the USA.
types of financial controller
While financial controllers are sometimes called by different titles depending on the industry, they usually fall into one or more of these categories:
- controller: Controllers set budgets, run audits, and write financial reports. You ensure full compliance with federal, state and local tax codes.
- project financial controller: In this role, you work on specific projects for an organization. While some financial controllers oversee the general finances of a company, this role is limited to one specific project. This can be a contract or permanent position.
- global financial controller: Global controllers may work in multiple countries for a multinational business. The type of position offered depends on the size of the company. Smaller companies may only need someone who writes reports and ensures tax code compliance. Larger companies or companies looking to expand operations may need someone who works specifically in international finance. If you work for a bigger business, your role as a financial controller could be more specialized.
working as a financial controller
What will your day-to-day life be like if you choose a financial controller job? Here's what you can expect when you work in this field.
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financial controller job description
You'll do a variety of tasks every day. Sometimes, you'll do financial audits, and sometimes you may propose new policy ideas to improve revenue for companies. Your primary responsibility is to provide accurate financial reports and to ensure tax code compliance. You may need to help with compliance audits, where you'll ensure that your company is following federal and state financial regulations.
You are also responsible for helping companies and organizations make better fiscal decisions by creating accurate financial statements and reports. These should include a complete and itemized transaction history that details spending and assets. As a financial controller, your main objective is to oversee cash flow and minimize fiscal risks. You'll recognize and analyze cost savings opportunities by gaining insights on appropriate resources for the company.
In conjunction with other departments, you'll oversee daily operations that include making and receiving payments, setting up vendors and keeping electronic records of finances. As a financial controller, you'll act as a catalyst for change by implementing and enforcing new plans that take the company in the right direction. Occasionally, you'll organize your findings by creating reports and presentations that include your findings, analysis and recommendations for upper management.
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financial controller work environment
Most financial controllers work in an office environment, and some do work remotely. Much of where you work depends on company size and industry. Travel is not typically necessary for this position, and you won't need to visit warehouses or outdoor worksites. Financial controllers work in both the public and private sectors, and your jobs will vary slightly depending on which you choose. For example, in the public sector, you will be responsible for cutting waste and using financial resources efficiently. In the private sector, you may focus on maximizing profits.
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who are your colleagues?
As a financial controller, you may be working in a variety of fields. Some of your colleagues may include CEOs, CFOs, department heads and other accountants. You may also work alone with creditors and auditors as well as investors. In some situations, you will be asked to work with treasurers.
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work schedule
A typical work schedule for a financial controller is 40 hours per week. If you have a looming deadline for a major project or you need extra time to prepare for an audit, you'll most likely want to put in some extra hours. Remote work is a possibility, and the hours will be the normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. You will usually get bank holidays off, and evening and weekend work will not generally be part of your schedule.
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job outlook for financial controller
If you're thinking about becoming a financial controller, now is the perfect time. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for financial controllers is expected to increase by 16% by 2032. Unlike many jobs in the finance industry, financial controllers are not typically impacted by economic downturns. Companies are always looking for financial professionals who can help them balance their budgets, eliminate excess spending and reduce losses. As a result, the position of financial controller offers excellent job security.
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benefits of working for randstad as a financial controller
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as a financial controller is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
financial controller skills and education
A bachelor's degree in accounting or finance from an accredited university is required for the position of financial controller. During this time, you'll learn generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and attain your CPA license. If you'd like to secure a higher salary upon entering the workforce, getting an MBA, or master's of business administration, is a good idea. Once you graduate, you'll want to start gaining needed experience in the field. Many employers want a financial controller to have five years of experience as an accountant or auditor.
A good way to succeed as a financial controller is to choose a specialty. For example, you might choose to specialize in a manufacturing industry, where you'll monitor finances as they pertain to production costs. If you specialize in logistics, you'll look at shipping charges and production and packaging costs.
You must remain current on new regulations and mandates in finance and tax laws, compliance and auditing procedures. Continuing education and training can cover these topics and are sometimes required for certification renewal.
skills and competencies
As a financial controller, you need skills in financial reporting and analysis, financial planning and tax laws. You need to have a good knowledge of profit and revenue and be able to make predictions about the financial future of a company.
It is also essential to have essential soft skills such as teamwork skills. You must be able to communicate with employees, be patient and be a good listener as well as a good speaker. Good interpersonal communication skills are essential to completing group projects and working collaboratively with others.
As a financial controller, you're really a professional problem solver. You will be faced with many challenges that require you to think on your feet. Good problem-solving and analytic skills are required when dealing when you are a financial controller.
Furthermore, to succeed in this role, you must have good leadership and time management skills. You will be expected to produce accurate reports in a timely manner, and you'll be asked to distribute resources to improve efficiency. You are expected to set goals for your team and to assign tasks to members as needed.
FAQs about working as a financial controller
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about financial controllers.
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what kind of math does a financial controller need?
To become a financial controller, you must know basic math and algebra. Knowledge of statistics will also prove to be useful. However, while understanding math and numerical data is crucial, interpreting and employing this data is equally important.
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what type of financial controller gets paid the most?
Corporate controllers, fund controllers and interim controllers usually earn higher salaries because of the complexity and specialized nature of the work. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a financial controller ranges from $79,050 to $239,200, with a median salary of $139,790. Annual salary is based on the company, location and industry you're in.
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why are financial controllers in high demand?
The demand for financial controllers is growing because companies are facing growing financial uncertainty. As a financial controller, you will be crucial to helping companies protect their bottom lines, maximize profits and eliminate waste. Financial controllers are one of the few positions in the finance industry that thrive regardless of market conditions, so they are always in demand.
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is a financial controller the same as an accountant?
A financial controller assumes many management duties, including staff supervision and managing company accounting practices. An accountant's duties focus more on the day-to-day activities of maintaining and analyzing detailed accounting records. As a financial controller, you'll oversee many aspects of a company's financials; accountants are responsible for a much more limited scope.
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are there opportunities for advancement?
Yes, financial controllers can gain experience that's beneficial for career advancement. With enough experience, your next career move may be the company treasurer or chief financial officer (CFO) as both positions require management experience and financial planning. Taking on these additional responsibilities comes with an accordant leap in salary.
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how do I find a job as a financial controller?
Applying for a financial controller job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our financial controller jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state of the art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
