what is a project controller?
Project controllers work in tandem with project managers to ensure that each project runs smoothly. Once they understand the goals of a project, the project manager determines a financial plan and schedule and monitors them throughout the duration.
If a project starts to deviate from the initial plan, the project controller provides guidance about how to get it back on track. It’s primarily an advisory role yet an essential one that helps ensure both scheduling and finances go as anticipated.
There are project controllers operating in a range of industries, and it’s typically advisable to have some knowledge about the industry in which you’re involved. For instance, if you’re working in construction, knowledge about that industry and how it operates is recommended.
Although being a project manager is an advisory role, many skills are needed and many tasks required. Finance knowledge is vital, and you’ll also have to know how to use various computer programs that allow you to track and monitor the finances and schedules of the project and complete budgets and reports. Clear written and verbal communication is also necessary to be able to properly express your findings.
Would working as a project controller suit your finance and scheduling skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a project controller role.
view jobs near youaverage project controller salary
The average salary for a project controller in the United States is $45 per hour or about $95,370. The average bonus is $1,266. Shift differential pay will also boost the hourly compensation.
As with most jobs, the more experience in a particular position, in this case as a project controller, the more your salary would likely increase. Entry levels earn less, while senior levels earn more. At least a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as finance, is expected for this position.
Wondering what you can earn as a project controller? Find out immediately with the Randstad salary checker! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of a project controller is.
types of project controllers
In any industry, ranging from construction to technology, a project controller is typically referred to as such. There are no subtypes or subtitles regarding this position.
working as a project controller
Working as a project controller is a challenging and rewarding career. Each project is different, allowing for versatility in many capacities, from one project to the next. Read on to learn what you can expect when you work in this field.
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project controller job description
What does a project controller do? They have the important role of ensuring that a project stays on schedule (or, depending on the situation, ahead of schedule) and below budget. When a project has so many different parts and aspects to it with a multitude of people involved, it’s not always an easy task, especially with larger projects.
Tasks can vary from one project to the next, or even with responsibilities between project controller positions at different companies. However, the general responsibilities include:
- understanding the goals of the project
- establishing a scheduling and financial project plan
- clearly and concisely expressing the plan and outlook
- continuously communicating effectively with the project manager
- monitoring the scheduling and financial factors of the plan
- keeping track of the scheduling and financial aspects of the plan
- expressing any concerns pertaining to the current schedule and financial findings
- recommending improvements when the schedule falls behind or the project goes over budget
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project controller work environment
A project controller typically works in an office, but considering the overall tasks of the job, it may be possible to work remotely as long as you’re committed to staying in communication with the project manager and any other key team members. This job usually doesn’t require travel. However, depending on the project, it's a possibility, especially if it's a large project on which many offices are working together, and the project's home base isn’t local.
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who are your colleagues?
While you’ll typically have interactions with those working on the team, especially if you need to verbally express concerns or provide recommendations to the team as a whole, your primary exchanges will be with the project manager. It’s possible that there may be other project controllers working on the same project. Depending on the scope of the project and if there are other offices involved, you may need to interact with other key members of the project on more than one occasion.
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work schedule
Project controllers typically work a full-time schedule on weekdays during standard office hours. However, if a project is falling behind schedule, there’s a significant issue regarding a financial matter, or something happened on the project that may severely affect its timeline or budget, you may have to go into the office or the job site itself to determine the scope of the issue and what can be done to rectify the situation.
You may also have to go into the office during atypical hours, such as on weekends, if the project has an exceptionally tight deadline. This is to ensure everyone works together as a team to get the project done by its anticipated completion date.
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job outlook for project controller
Considering how integral project controllers are to getting projects done on time, and below budget, there’s an excellent chance of a positive job outlook. However, the need for project controllers can vary between industries, such as construction and technology, and how well each industry is doing.
If there is a particular industry that interests you, it’s important to pay attention to the job outlook for that specific sector. This can provide valuable insight as to what you might expect for the future and your role as a project controller.
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benefits of working for randstad as a project 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 project 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!
project controller skills and education
Due to the nature of the project controller's responsibilities, it’s ideal to have an educational background in finance. Having a bachelor’s degree in a related area, such as finance or accounting, is acceptable as a starting point. However, having an advanced degree, like a master’s in finance, is even better.
One of the best ways to get into the industry is to look for internships and/or volunteering opportunities. This provides relevant, hands-on experience beyond the educational setting and is a great way to gain valuable professional knowledge about the industry.
skills and competencies
In addition to having a degree in a related field, various skills and competencies could help you land a job as a project controller. The more skills you can develop, especially if you’re able to provide relevant and concrete examples of how you utilized and/or obtained those skills, the better it is for landing a project controller job.
For example, you can list skills and relevant courses you took, certifications you obtained, or specific impressive achievements from a previous finance job you held, such as if you helped lead a team of workers. Skills and competencies that are highly beneficial for a project controller position include:
- organizational skills
- effective leadership
- stellar communication one-on-one and to a team
- problem-solving skills
- ability to multitask
- being a team player
- analytical skills
- time management
- computer skills in relevant programs and systems
- desire to stay current in local and global finance matters
- interest in one or more specific industries (e.g., construction)
FAQs about working as a project controller
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about project controllers.
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what is the best way to obtain the skills needed to be a project controller?
One of the best ways to obtain the necessary skills to be a project controller is to determine what your strengths and weaknesses are pertaining to that position and determine how you could improve your suitability for the role. For instance, if you feel you lack leadership skills, you can acquire them. There are a multitude of courses you could take and certifications to obtain that can provide you with information about how to improve in that specific area.
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is being a project controller a rewarding job?
Being a project controller certainly can be a rewarding job. It’s easy to feel proud of yourself when you set goals regarding a specific task, and not only did you meet those goals, but you worked together with others as a team to accomplish the task. Watching a project come to fruition and being able to see the final results could provide a huge feeling of satisfaction that comes with knowing you did a good job.
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does being a project controller involve a lot of reports?
Doing reports is an essential part of being a project controller. You have to complete a lot of detailed reports and provide a significant amount of documentation to back up your budget and findings and show how you got to the point you did with your recommendations. People involved in the project would want to see on paper how you made your determinations and see proof of your budget and scheduling insights.
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Is being a project controller a stressful job?
Any job, including being a project controller, has the potential to be stressful. This is particularly the case when it’s necessary to stay within a specific budget and get a project done by the deadline, even more so if both are very tight for the project at hand. The key is making time to do activities that help you de-stress throughout the day, allowing you to better focus on your job and feel more at ease.
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do I need to continue with my education when working as a project controller?
Considering things in various industries, including finance, are always changing, it’s advantageous to continue your education. It’s easier than ever to take online courses, and many are self-paced, allowing you to take them when and where you like. This can prove valuable for showing you’re self-motivated and have a desire to keep improving and growing as an employee and a person.
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how do I find a job as a project controller?
Applying for a project controller job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our project 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!
