Feel free to contact me if you want some assistance with your job ad or if you need help with your resume or selection criteria cover letter response. I can help you to stand out amongst the hundreds of poorly written job ads or job applications. In the CFO role, if people are still calling you a bean counter, they either have no clue, they are playing games or you are doing something fundamentally wrong in the performance of your duties.

We then arm you with reliable data so you can make confident and timely business decisions. Small companies (~$10MM in revenues) can expect to pay about $200,000 per year (including bonus, benefits, etc.). Alternatively, you can reduce your costs by outsourcing this function to a firm that offers fractional finance and accounting services. Given this background, a good controller will be well versed in the day-to-day requirements of running an accounting department. They will be detail-oriented and analytical, with strong math skills and extensive knowledge of general and industry-specific accounting standards and government regulations. Their skill set should include interpersonal and communication skills, good judgment, critical thinking, and management capabilities.

Steps to Keep Your Job Safe During Covid-19 Redundancies & Mass Layoffs

When she’s not writing, Barbara likes to research public companies and play social games including Texas hold ‘em poker, bridge, and Mah Jongg. CFO and controller salaries and other compensation vary by company revenues (size) and private vs. publicly traded status, and candidate qualifications and experience. Bonuses, employee benefits, and equity compensation, including stock options, are extra compensation. Two choices are adding AP automation software to your ERP system and hiring a fractional CFO. The best AP automation software will increase efficiency and financial controls, reduce costs, and free up finance time for results-driving projects.

Their jobs are more likely to analyze department budgets, handle internal conflict, but also prepare the financial reports to the CFO. Thus, the financial director performs both tactical and strategic tasks about the company’s finances. Finance directors are responsible to direct the company’s finance functions.

Controller Roles & Responsibilities

Here at CFO Hub, we shift this paradigm by providing outsourced CFO, controller, or accounting services. No matter where you’re at in your growth process, we can tailor an experienced controller or CFO to your specific needs profile. Therefore, controllers typically earn higher salaries than their counterparts in the public sector. In this position, they often report to the company’s CFO, executives, and shareholders. The main difference between a controller and a comptroller is that a controller focuses on the accuracy of financial reporting while a comptroller focuses on overall financial management. Accountants and other financial professionals who aspire to fill a managerial role and become a controller or CFO can benefit from a graduate degree that takes their skills and business sense to another level.

One of the qualifications we mentioned above which is common to CFOs and controllers is the ability to show visually appealing and useful reports. But we we do tend to see CFOs earlier and more often in some industries, such as tech companies with a lot of investor money at stake and where rapid growth is expected. Whether you require the services of a CFO, a controller, or both, it’s now easier than ever to find the professional your company needs to keep progressing. Within the business’ hierarchy, a CFO will usually report to the CEO and the board of directors while acting as the primary financial spokesman. GrowthForce accounting services provided through an alliance with SK CPA, PLLC. A CFO and a controller are on different levels within a company’s organizational hierarchy (or on its org chart).

What is the difference between a controller and a comptroller?

Beyond using GAAP as a benchmark for your decision, here are some of the other situations that might prompt your business to hire a controller. But the functions noted under each are distinct and need to be addressed for every organization. The following chart offers a high-level comparison of controller vs CFO responsibilities and capabilities. You’re welcome to bookmark this page or download the chart for future reference. A person suitable for the role of CFO needs to be a great financial strategist and a data-backed critical thinker.

Their skills are in management, making sure the accountants and bookkeepers who work under them are doing their jobs properly in a high-stakes environment. They accounting for research and development then provide reports to executives who make the corresponding decisions. Controllers and CFOs are very involved in a business’s financial picture and planning.

A Complete Finance and Accounting Department through Outsourcing

Many companies find themselves at an inflection point where they would benefit from having a senior finance leader involved in making and executing key strategic decisions. Your CFO has a broader role that is focused more strategically and forward-looking. The Controller function typically reports to the CFO and is just one element of the CFO’s role. CFOs are also responsible for Treasury management, Risk Management, Financial Planning and Analysis and are considered part of the company’s senior leadership team, typically reporting directly to the CEO. In addition to preparing reports, the controller’s responsibilities might also include monitoring internal controls, conducting compliance audits, analyzing financial data, and participating in the budgeting process.

Before we dive in, however, allow me to give you the 30-second answer. In terms of skillsets, a CFO’s skills may be the same as a Controller, but a CFO must be certainly involved with both the business and the numbers from an early stage. At KayOne Consulting, we help clients on key strategic issues, leveraging our deep industry expertise. We specialize in CFO services, transaction advisory and strategic consulting. Using our inputs backed by research, and analytical rigor, we are able to help clients make informed decisions more quickly, and solve their toughest problems. While some companies benefit from a fractional controller starting at $500K to $1MM, almost all companies have a controller by the time they reach $10MM in annual revenue.