what is a business controller?
As a business controller, your goal is to improve the operations of the company you work for. You'll use financial data as well as what you learn from the day-to-day operation of the business. You report to the highest levels of the company: the chief financial officer (CFO) and chief executive officer (CEO).
Use your communication skills and goal-oriented mindset to grow the company via an understanding of key financial indicators and office performance and productivity. Make important decisions about the company's budget and future.
With your background and education in business, finance or economics, you'll increase your success with your skills in accounting and financial analysis. Collaborating and planning with the finance team and demonstrating your business savvy is part of your everyday routine.
Would working as a business controller suit your desire for innovative thinking? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a business controller role.
view jobs near youaverage business controller salary
The average salary for a controller position is $95,000 a year, with a range of $40,500 to $220,000. Factors like location play a big role in how much money you make. If you live in an area where the cost of living is high, such as San Francisco, CA, or Bridgeport, CT, you can expect to make more. You can also command a greater salary with more responsibility by challenging yourself with tasks that are substantial in complexity. More experience and education play a vital role in the types of jobs that are available to you. You'll be more competitive, plus you'll have access to higher-paying jobs with more opportunities.
Wondering what you can earn as a business controller? Find out immediately with the Randstad salary checker! You can easily see what the average salary of a business controller is.
types of business controller
Different types of employers in different industries require different types of business controllers. Generally speaking, the bigger the company, the greater the choices or opportunities offered. Business controllers fall into either of these categories:
- financial controller: In this role, you are responsible for the management and financial planning of a company. You work with auditors, managers and CFOs to ensure tax code compliance and to oversee spending and revenue.
- marketing controller: As a marketing controller, your duties include analyzing and evaluating a company's spending on marketing and advertising. For this role, you'll need a strong background in marketing and finance.
- human resources controller: As a human resource controller, your duties include making top decisions about personnel, including maximizing personnel training and efficiency as well as optimizing employee programs and benefits. Your other duties are to support maximum personnel costs and to help obtain and keep good personnel.
working as a business controller
What does a business controller do? And what would your daily work life be like? Here is what you can expect when working in this field.
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business controller job description
You'll take on new and exciting challenges in your role as a business controller. While you could oversee daily operations one day, the next day you may work with a team to develop a plan for spending. Your main responsibilities are to safeguard corporate assets and ensure compliance with new and existing regulations. Business controllers usually spend their workdays doing the following tasks:
- financial reports: As a business controller, your responsibilities include overseeing financial reports and statements. You must read them carefully, check for accuracy and use the information provided to make major decisions for the company.
- interpreting financial reports: Your duties include interpreting financial reports and drawing inferences based on the information provided.
- asset control: As a business controller, you are responsible for securing and safeguarding corporate assets. Your duties include protecting assets from fraud with routine audits and by blocking unauthorized users.
- financial oversight: Your role as a business controller involves financial oversight. As a controller, you are the head accountant for your company, which means that you must be able to develop a budget and work with your team to ensure that the company follows a spending plan.
- technology: Business controllers are expected to know company software. In your role, you'll be using financial software to ensure accuracy in developing and clarifying financial reports.
- supervision: In this role, you will be overseeing a team of accountants. Your task is to monitor daily company operations. You may be asked to enforce current compliance standards and to forecast future spending.
- risk management: In a large corporate setting, your duties may include risk management. This means that you'll identify, assess and minimize risks.
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business controller work environment
As a business controller, you'll spend most of your days working in an office or remotely. You may be working in the private sector or for a non-profit organization. Expect to work with the latest financial software for accuracy. At times, you will communicate with other team members about budgeting and spending. You'll meet with company managers and the finance department to discuss fiscal issues and to make decisions based on the company's financial status.
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who are your colleagues?
As a business controller, you'll spend some of your time alone in your office but much of your time is collaborative. Most of your days will be spent supervising daily operations and reporting to the CFO. Your role also entails working with members of the finance team and with accountants to discuss the financial future of the organization and to develop and discuss quarterly and annual budgets. You may even meet with executive assistants in other departments over budget proposals, spending and projects.
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work schedule
As a company grows, so does the demand for better financial reporting and greater fiscal outcomes. This increases pressure on teams to develop solutions that will take companies in the right direction. As a business controller, this may mean long work days. You may be asked to work remotely or in an office to collaborate with managers and the finance department. Most business controllers work a 9-5 work schedule during the week, but actual hours are determined by the following factors:
- type of business or industry
- company culture
- staff size
- expected growth outlook
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job outlook for business controller
If you're looking for an opportunity with a lot of promise and growth, then a career as a business controller is perfect for you. The current job outlook for controllers across private industries and businesses is on the rise. The expected growth for financial managers, such as controllers, is 16% through 2032.
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benefits of working for randstad as a business 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 business 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!
business controller skills and education
Good business controllers have a strong background in business finance and budget planning. To be a business controller, you must earn a bachelor's degree in accounting or business administration. For some companies or industries, a master's degree in accounting or an MBA is preferred but usually not required. A CPA certification is preferred but not required.
skills and competencies
To be an effective business controller, you must be adept at organizing and leading teams of employees. Attention to detail is vital, especially since you'll be working with financial reporting and auditing. Additional requirements are soft skills, such as the ability to communicate with top managers on vital issues regarding corporate funds.
Business controllers must be able to use basic math and algebra to work well with money and investments. They must also pay attention to details to avoid costly errors. In this role, you'll need to write accurate reports and present your findings to corporate executives and shareholders. This requires good communication skills and accuracy.
FAQs about working as a business controller
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about business controller.
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is a business controller the same as a CFO?
A chief financial officer (CFO) is in charge of making major decisions regarding a company's financial strategy, while a business controller focuses on daily accounting activities. Although there are times and circumstances when a business controller can take on CFO duties, they are not the same thing. A business controller reports directly to the CFO about quarterly and annual budgets upon request but remains responsible for the daily business operations of the company.
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is a controller an accountant?
Both controllers and accountants have many of the same fiscal responsibilities such as managing budgets and filing financial reports. Both are responsible for keeping accurate tax records and for monitoring spending. The main difference is that business controllers have an active part in managing teams and fiscal planning.
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what are some challenges faced by business controllers?
Business controllers face issues with theft, loss and budget disputes. You may encounter errors in a financial report due to incorrect data from an unreliable source. As a business controller, it's your responsibility to work with managers and CFOs to sort these issues out and correct them.
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what are some important traits to be a business controller?
A good financial controller should embody a few basic traits. You should be focused and self-disciplined. Sharp attention to detail and facts are of high importance for the position. You must be responsible, well-organized and honest when working in this position.
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what is the next career stage for business controllers?
The next step up is a CFO, where you'll be in charge of enforcing company values and procedures. You'll create new plans for the company while you monitor corporate expenditures.
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how do I find a job as a business controller?
Applying for a business controller job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our business 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!
