Overview
The free download of the Controller job description example outlines the profile of the Controller position.
The Controller directs all accounting operations to manage and improve the company’s financial performance. While overseeing day-to-day operations and managing accounting personnel, the Controller evaluates and manages risk, publishes financial statements, analyzes financial data, manages accounting records, ensures compliance with accounting principles and regulations, monitors expenditure, and forecasts revenue. In the absence of a Human Resources function, this position is also responsible for basic HR support for the company.
The ideal incumbent is a strategic planner, critical thinker, and operates with best-in-breed business practices. Qualities such as leadership, communication, reliability and performance management are necessary for this position as it manages and trains staff on business financial issues, implements internal controls and formulates sound financial strategies.
It’s essential that the Controller is experienced in financial management, compliance oriented, and self-motivated. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills combined with exceptional numerical proficiency are required key skills that will make for a successful Controller. The goal of the Controller is to aid the business in achieving organizational growth, building financial growth and maintaining positive revenue.
Controller Responsibilities
Here are a few responsibilities key to the Controller position. For a full list, download the free pre-written Controller job description template.
- Determines and implements an optimal structure and staffing for the department.
- Maintains a documented system of accounting policies and procedures.
- Overall responsibility for ensuring optimal performance for accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, financial reporting, taxation.
- Provides financial analysis as needed, for contract negotiations, pricing decisions, and capital investments.
- Recommends benchmarks against which to measure the performance of company operations.
- Provides information to external auditors for the annual audit.
- Provides HR contractual support for the organization and creates employment contracts, processes terminations, and maintains and enforces general employment policies and procedures.
Controller Skills
Here are a few required skills key to the Controller position. For a full list, download the free pre-written Controller job description template.
- Corporate tax accounting
- Risk management
- Internal & external audits
- Mergers & acquisitions
- Taxation and regulatory requirements
- Accounting regulations and procedures, including the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Accounting software (QuickBooks preferred)
Alternative Controller Job Titles
The Controller is also known as the Comptroller, Financial Controller, Chief Accounting Officer, Senior Controller, Corporate Controller, Accounting Manager, Accountant Financial Analyst, Controller Financial Manager, or Chartered Financial Analyst.
Controller Job Description Components
This Controller job description includes the following components:
Position Details
Provides fields to be completed including reporting structure, job classification, benefits eligibility, overtime exemption status, direct reports, eligibility for bonus, work location, internal and external relationships, supervision required, decision-making authority, travel required.
Position Requirements
Provides fields to be completed including position overview, responsibilities and accountabilities, job-related technical skills, experience, education, training, position success traits, as well as additional comments for position.
Position Overview
A short, clear and accurate summary of the job position objective that includes the general responsibilities, goals, relationships with customers, staff, executives and results expected of incumbent employees.
Responsibilities
A comprehensive list of categorized key responsibilities, each indicating the percentage of time a high-level responsibility will take, along with the key tasks associated with each responsibility.
Job-Related Technical Skills
A concise list of job-related technical/hard skills that include the specific knowledge and abilities required for success in the job. The necessity for proficiency, experience or familiarity of each task is specified.
Experience/Education/Training
Provides a clear and specific list of experience, degrees, diplomas, certificiations, training, or disgnation required and preferred for the position.
Positions Success Traits
Provides a concise list of personality traits, competencies, or soft skills that lead to success in the position and career development.
Other Factors
Provides a field to insert additional information that is necessary and specific for the job description.
How is the Controller job description used?
Once completed, the Controller job description is used in the following ways:
- to create a document that outlines responsibilities
- Job Evaluation
- Job posting
- Interview questions
- included in the job offer contract
- Management of the probationary period
- Performance Reviews
- Performance Improvement Plans
- Benchmarking for Salary Surveys
Can I preview it?
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Controller Job Description Template
What other Job Description Sample Templates are included in this Kit?
The following pre-written job description templates are included in the Job Descriptions Samples Kit and represent standard or common job descriptions used in most companies.
Template |
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Finance & Accounting
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Accountant job description
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The Accountant is responsible for providing the company’s financial information to management by researching and analyzing accounting data and preparing reports, while being careful to comply with financial policies and regulations.
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Accounting Clerk job description |
The Accounting Clerk is responsible for ensuring accuracy of financial records through clerical and administrative duties. General tasks include assisting with reporting, bookkeeping, research and resolving discrepancies.
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Controller job description |
The Controller oversees the Accounting Department’s day-to-day operations, maximizing returns on financial assets by establishing policies and procedures that are designed to mitigate risk, enhance accuracy of reported financial results, and ensure compliance with accounting principles. |
Administration
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Office Manager job description |
The Office Manager organizes and coordinates office administration and procedures to ensure that day-to-day operations run smoothly, maintaining office systems and managing staff to ensure safety, efficiency, and organizational effectiveness throughout the office.
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Administrative Assistant job description |
The Administrative Assistant is responsible for general office administration to ensure efficient and smooth day-to-day operation of the office by providing administrative support to various office staff.
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Receptionist job description |
The Receptionist is responsible for providing administrative support to various stakeholders. Being the first point of contact for any person contacting the company, it establishes first impressions and is the hub and glue of the business since they touch so many departments and have regular contact with all staff members.
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IT
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Internal Help Desk Technician job description |
The Internal Help Desk Technician is a customer service position that resolves in-office issues related to hardware, software and other computer systems. This tech-savvy employee performs remote and in-office troubleshooting as well as regular maintenance to diagnose, resolve and maintain any IT related issues for employees.
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IT Manager job description |
The IT Manager advises the company on IT solutions that will promote the highest level of growth and efficiency. This position serves as a translator between technical teams and senior management, managing staff, and researching and implementing technological strategic solutions.
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HR
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HR Coordinator job description |
The HR Coordinator acts as a bridge between employees and the HR Generalist, being responsible for facilitating daily HR functions by assisting HR managers with administration support, payroll processes, employee records and recruitment. |
HR Manager job description |
The HR Manager is responsible for recommending, creating, and administering Human Resources best practices, services, and programs that align with the company’s values, strategic and annual business plan priorities, mission, and departmental mandates.
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Recruiting Manager job description |
The Recruiting Manager works closely with hiring managers to manage sourcing, interviewing and the overall hiring process to ensure that qualified employees, contractors and consultants are hired to meet the company’s current and future workforce requirements.
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Health & Safety Manager job description |
The Health & Safety Manager has functional responsibility for health and safety across the entire organization and works with all staff to ensure that strong health and safety focus, training and reporting are in place. |
Sales |
Sales Representative | Account Manager job description |
The Sales Representative uses sales expertise to sell the company’s product online, over the phone or in person to find out what their customers want and suggests products or services that will address their needs.
Or
The Account Manager acts as the point of contact for their clients, being responsible for building and maintaining strong, long-lasting relationships with clients on behalf of the company and providing them with products that best fit their individual needs.
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Sales Manager | Director | VP job description |
The Sales Manager focuses on maximizing sales team potential and developing new sales strategies to keep the company competitive and innovative, leading sales efforts by managing recruitment, objectives, coaching and performance monitoring of Sales Representatives.
Or
The Regional/District Sales Manager leads the sales team in a geographic region, responsible for developing and implementing a strategic sales strategy that generates growth and profitability for the business.
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Customer Service |
Customer Service Representative (CSR) job description |
The Customer Service Representative acts as a liaison between the business and its customers, providing customers with information to address inquiries regarding company products and services, while also resolving customer complaints, errors, and cancelations.
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Technical Customer Support Specialist job description |
The Technical Customer Support Specialist provides technical support to the company’s customers who need assistance with technical, hardware, and software system issues, providing excellent customer experience to clients with immediate and precise support on all technical issues. |
Customer Service Manager job description |
The Customer Service Manager is accountable for providing department-level management and leadership to the Customer Services team. The position works closely with other departments, training institutions, industry groups, and employers to ensure the company fulfils its customer service mandate.
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Marketing |
Graphic Designer job description |
The Graphic Designer crafts and edits visual pieces to convey information and communicate the company’s ideas in a more attractive way, acting as a visual storyteller who, with an understanding of branding and marketing, is responsible for engaging, informing, and inspiring the company’s audience.
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Marketing Coordinator job description |
The Marketing Coordinator drafts reports, tracks results, coordinates content, builds relationships with sales teams, and supports all marketing strategies. Acting as the marketing manager’s right hand, a marketing coordinator helps implement marketing, advertising and branding plans.
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Product Manager job description |
The Product Manager is the product expert, in charge of creating the road map that guides the product from ideation through development to launch, bridging the gap among all departments involved in production, including R&D, engineering, manufacturing, marketing and customer support.
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Marketing Manager | Director job description |
The Marketing Manager is responsible for the marketing department, managing an internal team of writers, designers, and product managers to identify what consumers want, and deliver solutions to help the company promote their products. This job description also includes a menu of components that applicable to the following positions:
- Marketing Director
- Digital Marketing Manager
- Communications Manager
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Executive |
CEO - Chief Executive Officer job description |
The CEO has overall responsibility for creating, planning, executing, and integrating the strategic direction of an organization. The CEO is in charge of major corporate decisions, managing the company’s resources, operations, and management team, providing strategic direction as well as creating a vision for success.
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COO - Chief Operating Officer job description |
The COO is responsible for the efficiency of the business, overseeing the company’s ongoing operations and procedures, designing and implementing diverse business operations and establishing policies that promote the company’s vision. |
CFO - Chief Financial Officer job description |
The CFO is responsible for analyzing, strategizing, and growing the company’s financial position, providing critical financial strategies and performance management to guide the financial systems that empower the company.
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CIO - Chief Information Officer job description |
The CIO's goal is to create maximum business value through technology, lead planning of business growth objectives, and ensure tech systems and procedures lead to outcomes that align with the company’s business goals. |
CTO - Chief Technology Officer job description |
The CTO is responsible for all technology systems, processes, software design and development, acting as the technology and business expert alongside the CEO, providing leadership through their knowledge of technology, establishing the company’s technical vision, strategies, and plans for growth.
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CMO - Chief Marketing Officer job description |
The CMO oversees the planning, development, and execution of a company’s marketing initiatives, leading the marketing team with enthusiasm and guidance, overseeing all marketing operations and developing the company’s marketing strategy and vision.
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CHRO - Chief Human Resources Officer job description |
The CHRO provides organizational leadership and implements human resource strategies that support the overall business plan, strategic direction and goals of the business, building a strong credibility of the company's HR functions through leadership skills, professional qualifications, and integrity.
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