{"id":23564,"date":"2026-09-02T14:42:22","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T14:42:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.degreequery.com\/?page_id=23564---0ee37eac-6108-434b-92f9-31736af1dc3e"},"modified":"2026-09-28T09:58:53","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T09:58:53","slug":"accounting-controller","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.degreequery.com\/accounting-degrees\/accounting-controller\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does an Accounting Controller Do?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>An accounting controller has many different financial-related tasks as part of their job description.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the functions of controllers in accounting go far beyond creating budgets and making financial reports. In some cases, they might have administrative or managerial duties, oversee employees, and conduct risk management, all of which may or may not be part of the job description, depending on the place of employment.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is certain, though, is that accounting controllers must have the proper education in accounting and finance, as well as a good deal of work experience to get the job done and done correctly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a deeper look at the job description, function, educational requirements, and salary or accounting controllers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Job Description of an Accounting Controller<\/span><\/h2>\n

Though accounting controller job descriptions vary somewhat depending on the size of the company, there are some essential functions (outlined in more detail in the next section) that are highly common.<\/span><\/p>\n

Controllers are in charge of the accounting operations of an organization. This means preparing and overseeing budgets, maintaining detailed accounting records, and creating reports on the financial health and stability of the organization.<\/span><\/p>\n

In many cases, accounting controllers are in senior positions in an organization\u2019s management team. As such, they tend to have management responsibilities, like recruiting new workers and training new staff members.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to having a robust understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, accounting controllers must also be superb communicators, can evaluate the work of others and provide critical feedback, guide and direct the work of subordinates, and dispense with disciplinary action, if needed. They must also possess keen technology skills, have the ability to problem solve, and have top-notch analytical skills.<\/span><\/p>\n

Regardless of the size of the organization for which they work, accounting controllers work with auditors to make sure that the organization complies with proper reporting standards. Likewise, accounting controllers are responsible for establishing and overseeing internal controls as they pertain to accounting practices and reporting procedures.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also part of an accounting controller\u2019s job description is to keep tabs on legislation that might impact the organization\u2019s finances. For example, changes to the corporate tax code would be of interest to an accounting controller, as those kinds of changes could significantly impact the company\u2019s bottom line. A related responsibility is to prepare and file state and\/or federal taxes for the organization.<\/span><\/p>\n

An additional aspect of monitoring potential changes to future laws is ensuring that the organization will be compliant with new requirements to obtain permits and licenses. Without these documents, a business could very well not be able to operate. Therefore, this is a crucially important part of an accounting controller\u2019s job description.<\/span><\/p>\n

In some cases, the functions of controllers in accounting also include knowing regulations from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). What\u2019s more, controllers in this position should be familiar with the <\/span>Sarbanes-Oxley Act<\/span><\/a>, which requires public companies to undertake specific accounting-related actions, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n