What’s in a financial controller’s job description?

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A financial controller job description includes tasks, skills, education, and work experience requirements. Tasks may include preparing financial statements, coordinating audits, and overseeing other departments. Skills required may include communication and software knowledge. A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance and CPA certification are usually required.

One of the main things included in a financial controller job description is the tasks that the applicant will be expected to perform. While they may vary from company to company, some tasks are common to most controller jobs. In addition to the roles that the candidate must be able to perform, the necessary skills that the company is looking for can also be included in the job description. Education requirements and previous work experience may be listed. Job descriptions often also include the name and location of the hiring company, as well as materials the candidate needs to submit in order to be considered for the position.

Most of a financial controller job description will likely consist of job-specific tasks. Some of these might include developing income statements for the company. A financial controller may also be asked to prepare financial statements and coordinate year-end audits. Preparing budgets may also be listed as a requirement.

As a controller is usually the chief financial officer of a company, a job description for this position may describe responsibility for overseeing other people and departments. This can include budgeting, auditing and accounting departments. A controller may be needed to guide accountants and ensure that staff in these departments are doing their jobs correctly.

In some companies, the financial controller job description may ask candidates to be able to manage payroll, insurance providers, and benefits programs. Job descriptions may list serving on planning committees or working on special projects as a job requirement. The definition of policies in the organization can also be listed.

Knowledge of legal requirements is an important aspect of a financial controller position. Ensuring compliance with industry regulations as well as company procedures will likely be a requirement of the position. Communicating this information to other employees of the organization is another duty of the financial controller.

Skills are another area that may be included in the financial controller job description. For example, as the controller often needs to explain information to employees or management, communication skills – both written and verbal – are very important. Specialized software knowledge is sometimes required to perform accounting procedures. Job descriptions may also require candidates to be detailed because financial controllers are often the last to see a company’s financial information before it is released.

Job descriptions for this position often have particular educational and work experience requirements. Generally, applicants must have, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance. Most organizations require the financial controller to be a certified public accountant (CPA) with experience in the public accounting industry. Some require an MBA (Master of Business Administration) as well.




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