What Does a Controller Do? Skills, Responsibilities and Salary Trends

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Some Insights Into the Role of Controller

What is a controller — and what does a controller do?
What skills do controllers need to succeed?
Educational requirements and in-demand certifications for controller jobs
An extra edge for controller candidates: technology proficiency
Salary trends for controllers

“Controller” sounds like a role that carries a lot of responsibility — and it does. A corporate controller is essentially a company’s chief accountant. This senior management position oversees daily accounting operations for the business and often manages a team of accountants or other financial staff.

If becoming a controller interests you, the information in this article can help you with that journey. We’ll take a deep dive into what a controller does, and the skills and certifications many employers look for when hiring candidates for this role. We’ll also look at compensation trends for corporate controller jobs in the U.S., based on data in the 2025 Salary Guide From Robert Half.

A controller is typically responsible for the oversight of many critical finance and accounting processes in an organization, from financial reporting and budgeting to risk management and compliance. Controllers help ensure a company’s financial statements are accurate, in compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and reflective of business performance.

A review of current controller job openings offers detailed insight into what employers need and expect these professionals to do for the business. For example, you’ll likely see these kinds of responsibilities outlined in many job descriptions:

Preparing financial forecasting reports and financial statements (internal and external)

Maintaining accounting records, including general ledger, payroll and taxes

Reconciling accounts

Coordinating audits

Managing budgets

Recommending financial performance benchmarks

Communicating regularly with (and often reporting to) the chief financial officer (CFO)

Overseeing accounts payable and receivable departments

Ensuring income tax compliance

As noted earlier, staff management is often an aspect of a corporate controller’s job duties. However, in some companies, a controller may be the only accountant in the organization.

The specifics of what a controller does, and the skills needed for a particular role can vary by company. In any case, controllers should be able to bring a diverse skill set to the job that goes beyond number-crunching. Here are some of the key competencies necessary for this senior management position:

Working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)

For public companies: Knowledge of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX)

A strong work ethic and integrity

Attention to detail

The ability to multitask

Problem-solving and analytical thinking skills

Managerial abilities

Interpersonal skills, including collaboration and communication

To be considered for a controller job, most candidates will need at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or a related field. Some companies may require a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) or finance.

Candidates for controller jobs should usually have at least seven years of experience in the accounting field, and public accounting experience is often a requirement.

Many controllers hold professional certifications like the CPA, chartered global management accountant (CGMA), chartered financial analyst (CFA) or certified management accountant (CMA).

These credentials not only can enhance your qualifications, but they also signal to potential employers that you’re committed to maintaining a high standard of financial expertise.

Controllers are considered the advanced technicians of the accounting world because they possess a combination of deep technical accounting expertise, leadership skills and strategic financial oversight abilities. As such, they should also have the skills to evaluate the effectiveness of accounting processes, as well as the software and systems that support them.

Many controllers work with advanced accounting software like SAP, Oracle and other enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Familiarity with these platforms and the ability to use them to streamline financial processes are vital for controllers in today’s tech-driven business environment.

The emergence of AI is also reshaping the controller’s role. For example, controllers proficient in using AI-powered financial analytics tools can interpret complex datasets faster and more effectively, and gain insights that would be challenging to recognize otherwise.

Strategic decision-making is also becoming a bigger aspect of the controller’s job description as AI, including generative AI, accelerates changes in the finance and accounting field — and the business world at large.

What might you expect to earn as a corporate controller, provided you have the skills and experience required for the specific job and employer you’re targeting?

The salary midpoint (or median national salary) for a controller in corporate accounting is $184,250, according to the 2025 Salary Guide From Robert Half. Keep in mind that many employers will also offer bonuses and other incentives to finance and accounting leaders like controllers.

Depending on the organization you apply to and its industry, the specific controller duties needed at the company, and trends in your local job market, you may earn compensation higher than the median national salary for the corporate controller position.

To find out what corporate controller salaries are typical in your area, use the Salary Calculator in our Salary Guide.

Controllers play a crucial role in helping companies manage their financial health, stay in compliance and achieve business growth. If you have a passion for numbers, a keen eye for detail and strong business leadership abilities, pursuing a career as a corporate controller might be the right move for you.

Robert Half’s recruiters can help you with your job search. Get started today by uploading your resume so you can be considered for opportunities that match your skills and experience.

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