what is an assistant controller?
Corporate finances extend far beyond selling products and ordering supplies. Income streams can include product sales, stock investments, real estate ownership and licensing deals. Businesses take out start-up loans and incur more debt during economic downturns. Salaries, utility bills, insurance payments and legal fees cut into profits.
These million-dollar cash flows require entire financial departments to manage. As a result, businesses hire controllers to oversee accountants, generate reports, develop budgets and communicate with CEOs and shareholders. Assistant controllers partner with controllers to supplement their services. With your years of education and financial experience, businesses can maximize their gains.
Stakeholders also rely on you to protect their investment. Companies need accurate data to make economic decisions and plan for the future. Your reports, audits and forecasts promote business growth, encouraging investors to hold onto their stocks. High dividends make your employer popular on the stock market.
Assistant controllers act as fact-checkers for bookkeepers. When they prepare data, you review documents and look for discrepancies. If you find an error, you'll correct the issue before it enters an official report. You'll also discuss ways to improve the system so that accountants work as efficiently as possible.
Would working as an assistant controller suit your accounting skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in an assistant controller role.
view jobs near youaverage assistant controller salary
Would you like to know what an assistant controller earns? Where the highest salaries are paid for an assistant controller? Then check out this assistant controller salary page and find out all about the salary of an assistant controller in the USA.
types of assistant controller
Assistant controllers work in a variety of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, government agencies and non-profit organizations. Corporate assistant controllers work for major companies and collaborate with large teams. Each industry requires a specific skill set--for example, a healthcare assistant controller might deal with insurance claims.
If you're just starting out, small businesses help you gain experience before you advance to corporations. Small business assistant controllers have more responsibilities because they work on smaller teams, but they manage fewer people. You could narrow down your services as the company grows and hires more employees.
working as an assistant controller
Assistant controllers help businesses manage their finances. Learn about your possible schedule, responsibilities and work environment.
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assistant controller job description
What does an assistant controller do? Assistant controllers combine their accounting and business skills to oversee employees, write reports and manage their employer's finances.
Your responsibilities may include:
- preparing budgets
- auditing data
- assisting with tax returns
- studying financial trends
- writing yearly and quarterly reports
- creating policies
- making predictions
You'll stay on top of regulations so that your department operates within legal parameters. When your business files taxes at the start of the year, your work ensures accurate reporting. If they're unsure, coworkers turn to you because they know that you can explain the law in simplified terms.
Assistant controllers also interpret financial documents, such as:
- cash flow statement
- income statement
- shareholders' equity statement
- balance sheet
These documents list your employer's transactions and financial status, helping you make predictions and recommendations. With your knowledge, companies make million-dollar decisions that could boost their profits, provide a new income stream or enable them to enter a new territory.
Likewise, companies trust you to supervise financial departments and delegate tasks to accountants. You'll collaborate efficiently because you have similar skills but evaluate finances from a broader perspective. At times, you and your controller will communicate information between departments, shareholders and CEOs.
Periodically, you'll train colleagues and create new policies that keep the financial department running smoothly. You'll also adjust to software developments and assist coworkers with accounting platforms.
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assistant controller work environment
Typically, assistant controllers work indoors in an office environment. Employers range from small businesses to large corporations with thousands of employees. Large companies emphasize collaboration, while small companies offer more independent work. Periodically, you and your controller may travel to different offices.
Some employers offer remote work or hybrid models. If you work from home, you'll still have to adhere to their schedule and make yourself available during office hours. Your employer might ask you to visit the office for in-person meetings. Otherwise, you'll communicate through phone, email, video calls and office platforms.
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who are your colleagues?
You'll likely work alongside a controller who handles financial tasks, such as record-keeping, auditing, payment processing and working with vendors. Your skills provide valuable assistance and data that help them fulfill their obligations. Assistant controllers may collaborate with other department heads. Other colleagues might include bookkeepers, administrative assistants, payroll managers, human resources (HR) professionals, and supervisors. You may interact with the CEO because controllers work closely with business leaders.
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work schedule
Assistant controllers usually work during regular office hours with nights and weekends off. Most assistant controllers work full-time because employers require extensive experience and education. Some workers start with part-time jobs in different roles, then advance to becoming full-time assistant controllers.
You might receive overtime hours if a project experiences delays, especially during the holidays. Overtime hours can encompass nights, weekends and early mornings. This extra work boosts your paycheck: the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires businesses to pay qualifying employees 50% more for overtime.
You can expect time off for major holidays, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving. Full-time employees usually receive paid sick leave and vacation time. You may start with two weeks of paid vacation and advance to three or four after spending several years at the company.
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job outlook for assistant controller
Assistant controllers have a positive job outlook because businesses prioritize their financial departments. You help companies keep their records straight, avoid liabilities, process payments and fix errors before they become major issues. As you gain experience, employers will seek out your knowledge.
Emerging businesses produce more opportunities. Increasingly profitable companies need a financial team, which eventually includes an assistant controller. Keep an eye out for growing companies and new corporate offices in your region.
If you enjoy working as an assistant controller, consider advancing to a full controller position. This promotion involves more responsibilities, higher salaries and increased communication with business leaders. Your own assistant controller will complete tasks and prepare documents, helping you better serve your employer.
Similar jobs include accounts receivable supervisor, bookkeeper, finance manager, tax accountant and internal auditor. These positions tackle each business's finances from different angles. You could continue working for an employer or open a private firm.
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benefits of working for randstad as an assistant 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 an assistant 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!
assistant controller skills and education
Most companies prefer assistant controllers with a bachelor's degree in business or finance. Some might accept an associate's degree, but opportunities for people with only a high school diploma or GED are rare. Pursuing a master's degree gives you advanced knowledge and an edge over hundreds of other applicants.
Experience is just as valuable as education. If you start with similar roles, you'll have experience on your resume when you apply for assistant controller jobs. Likewise, every year that you stay in the industry makes you more appealing to employers. Consider starting with internships if you're still in college, then find full-time work after you graduate.
Certifications verify your expertise. When HR managers find certifications on your resume, they instantly understand that you're a licensed professional who passed exams and accumulated hands-on knowledge. Common assistant controller certifications include Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
Licenses require a serious time and money commitment, so don't expect to earn multiple certifications right after you graduate. Pre-qualifications can include a few years of experience, hundreds of hours of study time, in-person classes and college degrees. You'll also pay fees that could reach $1,000 or more.
skills and competencies
Assistant controllers are accounting experts. You help companies track their revenue, expenses, cash flow, assets and liabilities so that they invest their profits, adjust to setbacks, make predictions, make reports for investors and file their taxes.
Your attention to detail prevents issues before they start. A single error could lead to misreported profits, fraud accusations or IRS audits. Since you double-check records down to the decimal, your CEO builds trust with stakeholders and complies with legal regulations. Plus, your organizational and note-taking skills make it easy to find documents.
Assistant controllers are also team players. Working alongside a controller means staying in touch, checking each other's work, preparing documents on time, sharing knowledge and quickly addressing issues. Additionally, you'll collaborate with other departments, supervisors and CEOs and explain concepts to people with different knowledge levels. Everyone knows that they can rely on your expertise.
Additionally, you're proficient in accounting software. Employers offer on-the-job training, but they prefer to see programs, such as Microsoft Excel, already listed on your resume. You quickly adjust when your company switches to a different software, enter your data neatly and accurately, and interpret other people's work.
FAQs about working as an assistant controller
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about assistant controllers.
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do assistant controllers work full-time?
Most assistant controllers work full-time because the position requires extensive dedication, experience and education. During your day, you may interact with CEOs and shareholders who need your expertise to make smart financial decisions. As a result, hiring managers seek applicants who can dedicate 40 hours a week to their jobs.
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how much education do assistant controllers need?
Most employers ask for a bachelor's degree in business or finance. Pursuing a master's degree and certifications, such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA), give you an edge over other applicants. Note that certifications require a time and money investment--you could spend two years or more earning a single license.
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who do assistant controllers report to?
Assistant controllers work with controllers, who are their company's financial leaders. You help them review documents, write reports, develop budgets, talk to shareholders, monitor expenses and manage payrolls. If you advance to a controller position, you'll have your own assistant controller who helps you with tasks.
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are assistant controllers the same as accountants?
Assistant controllers and accountants have similar jobs, but while accountants handle daily transactions, assistant controllers oversee the financial department. Accountants can specialize in one area, such as taxes or retirement planning. Conversely, assistant controllers have broader duties and act as a liaison between employees and supervisors.
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can assistant controllers work remotely?
Some businesses may offer remote work or a hybrid model where you work in person for three days a week. When you're at home, meetings can take place through phone or video calls. If you work remotely, you'll still operate within regular business hours and have nights and weekends off.
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how do I find a job as an assistant controller?
Applying for an assistant controller job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our assistant 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!
