Controller Jobs in the United States

Controller Jobs Overview

From budgeting and investing to risk management, controller jobs involve nearly every financial decision a company makes. If you work at a smaller company, you'll likely perform duties that other professionals would handle at larger organizations. Controllers are often responsible for producing financial reports, which are a necessity when you work at a public company that's on the stock exchange.

Most controllers work full-time with 40-hour weeks. One advantage of applying for controller jobs is that you can enter many different industries, which include everything from insurance companies and investment firms to banks. You'll work closely with other top executives in the organization.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), analysts expect a 17% growth rate for financial controllers into the next decade. This is much greater than the average across all jobs.

Salaries for Controller Jobs

Controllers earn within a range of $53,702 to $108,505 per year. However, higher salaries are possible if you work in a location with high demand, including:

• New York, NY - $102,670 per year
• Houston, TX - $92,438 per year
• Los Angeles, CA - $103,134 per year
• Dallas, TX - $95,907 per year
• Chicago, IL - $95,536 per year

Different industries pay controllers more than others. Use Monster's salary calculator to find data for different locations and positions.

Finding the Best Controller Jobs

Companies from all industries post controller jobs, so finding the right fit requires defining your interests and career goals. If you enjoy working on healthcare-related tasks, look for jobs at a hospital or similar healthcare setting. Think about the size of the company you want to work for as well; smaller organizations may offer more autonomy, but you may also handle more financial tasks.

When you're searching for the right controller job, consider your schedule and work-life balance. If you want a job that allows you to advance your career and take a more senior position in the company, look for controller jobs that offer opportunities to grow.

Consider Your Skills and Qualifications

When you first search for controller jobs in your area, you'll likely discover hundreds of open positions. Narrow your options by pairing the job requirements and responsibilities with your experience and skills. Do you have the skills necessary to excel at the job? If so, take a closer look at the job description to see if it interests you.

Consider areas where you might require more training or development. For example, many controller listings ask for a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. However, you'll gain more opportunities if you obtain a certified public accountant (CPA) designation or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.

Conduct Company Research

Before sending in your application, do some research. Find the name of the company you're applying to, and visit its website. You can learn a lot about a company by visiting its "About Us" page. Look at its business methods and mission statement. It's a good idea to know if the company's culture matches your expectations before you apply.

Search for Growth Opportunities

While you'll have more time to ask about growth opportunities once you land an interview, look for companies that allow you to advance to better positions and develop your career. Where do you see yourself in five years? If you'd like to eventually land a job as a chief financial officer (CFO), consider controller jobs at companies that promote from within and have CFO positions.

How to Apply for Controller Jobs

Now that you've found a position to apply for, it's time to fill out an application. Before doing so, however, review the description to find the position's key qualifications that you must meet.

Does the listing emphasize specific skills? If so, and you’re qualified, mention these same skills throughout your application. You should tailor every application to your potential employer's requirements, and be sure to follow any formatting guidelines or instructions to the letter.

Create a Strong Resume

You're more likely to obtain an interview if you submit a well-written resume. To start, use specific keywords that make it easier for your application to get through an applicant tracking system (ATS).

Read the controller job description to identify words and phrases that match the main qualifications necessary for the position. For example, the posting might require that you have comprehensive knowledge of finance law, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). If so, list these as some of your main attributes.

Some of the main controller skills to place in your resume include:

• data and document analysis
• tax and finance documents preparation
• knowledge of federal and local laws and regulations
• financial and accounting expertise

While it's important that your resume be well-structured and relatively brief, you shouldn't leave out any important information about your experience or skills. If you already have experience in the industry, highlight your accomplishments. For instance, some companies prefer controller applicants who have experience at one of the big four public accounting firms: Deloitte, PwC, Ernst & Young, and KPMG.

Prepare your resume with the assistance of Monster's sample controller resume. Before you submit it, have another person read it to make sure it's free of errors. If you need more help, hire an expert from the Monster Professional Resume Writing Service.

Write an Effective Cover Letter

You should only avoid writing a cover letter if the listing for controller jobs asks you not to. A concise and well-written cover letter typically boosts your chances of landing an interview.

Use this opportunity to express your interest in handling a company's financial matters and describe why you're a great candidate for the position. Make sure you display your passion for the job.

It's also a good idea to write about your skills and how they translate to the job. Mention any relevant certifications and degrees, like your CPA or MBA. Use three to four paragraphs to get your points across. Learn how to write a relevant cover letter for controller jobs with these finance cover letter tips.

Submit Your Application

Before officially submitting your application, create a free Monster account. Once you enter an email address and secure password, you'll have the opportunity to create a personal profile.

After uploading your cover letter and resume to this profile, applying to controller jobs is just a mouse click away. Read your resume one last time to search for any errors, and make sure you've included all relevant info.

Following Up With an Employer

Once you apply, the rest is largely a waiting game. There are, however, some steps you should take to follow up with your potential employer.

Time Your Follow-Up

You can expect a response within one to two weeks. If you don't receive one, follow up with the company to inquire about the timing of their recruitment process.

How to Follow Up

You can either write an email or make a phone call. Make sure your message is brief. Along with showing interest in the position, talk about what you bring to the company.

Who to Email or Call

Try to find the name of the hiring manager who's in charge of reviewing applicants for controller jobs. You might find these details on the company's website or by getting in touch with the employer's HR team. If you're unable to identify the right person to contact, the job description might have the information you're looking for.

Preparing for the Interview

Congrats on getting an interview! Now that you have one foot in the door, take control of this opportunity. If you have yet to research the company, do so to learn about the position and the company behind it. Read our interview tips for more help to nail your interview.

Like most things in life, practice makes perfect. Before going to an interview, have a friend or family member ask you some mock controller questions.

Once you can confidently answer these questions during practice, you're more likely to do so during the interview. Look at Monster's common interview questions to practice some of the general ones you're likely to hear.

What the Interview Process Entails

You may complete anywhere from two to five rounds of interviews before you receive a job offer. The initial interviews might take place over the phone or by video. However, you may also have multiple in-person interviews to attend. Hiring managers usually conduct these interviews.

During an interview, you'll likely receive behavior-related and/or competency-based questions. The hiring manager might need to know about your experience working with the IFRS and GAAP accounting standards. You should know how to answer questions about hypothetical situations that might occur while you're on the job.

Interview Tips

The hiring manager who conducts your interview is looking for a candidate who's ready to answer any question pertaining to their suitability for this role. Use the STAR method to practice your responses. Be ready for questions like these:

• Why must a controller have a strong code of ethics?
• What mistakes did you make in a previous role, and what measures did you implement to avoid similar errors in the future?
• What do you think of as our company's greatest achievements and challenges?
• How did you cut expenses in your previous positions?
• How do you feel about emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and how they may affect the operations of businesses like ours?
• What was the most difficult project you encountered in finance, and how did you handle it?

What you wear matters a lot to the impression you'll create. Interviewing for a controller position requires formal business attire.

Follow Up

Once the interview comes to an end, you should send a thank-you email within the next 24 hours. Limit the message to two paragraphs. Show that you continue to have interest in the job and that you're thankful for the opportunity. Reference something you spoke about during the interview to make a connection.

If one to two weeks pass without receiving an offer, try to call the hiring manager. Highlight your skills and qualifications before talking about why you're a good match for the job as well as the employer.

Steps to Take After Receiving an Offer

Congrats on getting an offer for a controller job! While you should send an immediate reply that thanks the employer for the opportunity, don't say yes right away. Assess the terms of your offer to make sure it meets your needs.

Let the hiring manager know the amount of time you need to provide your final answer. However, try not to take more than a week to do so.

Responding to Your Offer

It's likely that you heard most of the details about your position during the interview. Look at the salary, benefits, and responsibilities to ensure everything meets your expectations. You should also know when your job is set to start and what your day-to-day responsibilities are.

If you believe a higher salary is in order, negotiate with your employer. Maintain a professional and grateful attitude during this conversation.

Potential Career Paths

As a controller, you'll work alongside other financial professionals, the primary of whom is the company's chief financial officer. During your career, you'll gain relevant experience in anticipating and identifying issues and opportunities surrounding a company's financial objectives.

To determine which career path is right for you, consider your interests and career goals. Many financial controllers strive to eventually land a job as a chief financial officer (CFO). However, this position is mainly available in larger organizations.

It's common for smaller companies to combine the roles of controller and CFO. If you find yourself in this position, consider looking for a job as the head of finance in the company you work for.

There are many ways to advance your career. For example, CFOs need exemplary communication skills. Spend time improving these skills and learning how to speak to bankers, investors, and analysts.

Search for a mentor who works as a C-level executive and is willing to guide you through this process. Build your professional network to gain new opportunities by joining the Controllers Council.

Similar Occupations

There are numerous financial positions that might interest you. Consider these:

• accountant
• bookkeeper
• finance manager
• accounting specialist