What is the difference between an Assistant Controller vs Controller. The job descriptions are all over the place and share some of the same responsibilities.
2
What is the difference between an Assistant Controller vs Controller. The job descriptions are all over the place and share some of the same responsibilities.
Main differences with assistant controller is you need to wait for two people to die to become CFO whereas with controller it’s just one person
Add in CAO, head of FP&A, head of legal…. You may need a few more to die 😜
It depends on the company. It'll be different based on the respective company as well as planned upward progression.
Yes, it varies amongst companies but I find it strange that the roles are rarely clearly defined between the two which makes upward progression challenging.
The controller usually does the presentations to the board (the face of the department), and the assistant does most of the reporting and managing. Not always like this but likely main differential. I've been at places were the controller does the managing as well and the assistant had very little outside interaction. In another life I audited entities with the assistant doing all of it and controller would sign off and join important meetings only.
My controller manages ap staff and myself. I have no idea what she does. I know I do the bank Rec and AR. Mines a control freak so I’ll never learn anything.
She probably got burned some time ago and is afraid to let if happen again. I'm sure there's ways for you to learn without having less supervision.
Came here to say better Assistant Controller than Assistant to the Controller.
Assistant does the legwork. Controller reviews and presents information.
One of my companies assistant controller was responsible for overseeing fixed assets, leases and inventory mainly. Whereas controller oversaw them + AP, Revenue, etc. Controller reported into CAO. Another company had CAO/Controller at Executive Level, Assistant Controller oversee technical accounting / financial reporting, then director of accounting had revenue, AP, AR and reported directly to Controller/CAO. I guess main difference has largely been expanded areas of oversight in controller role. Some companies it will include financial Reporting and others it won’t.