Corporate Controller

Role Summary

The Corporate Controller leads financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance to ensure accurate, timely financial information. You oversee accounting teams, manage audits, and safeguard assets while supporting strategic decisions. Your role balances precision with deadline pressure, making your leadership critical to maintaining trust and transparency across the business.

Required Education, Certifications, and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s in Accounting Finance or related field.

CPA preferred.

Certifications:

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
  • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
  • Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
  • Financial Risk Manager (FRM)

Experience:

8 plus years in corporate accounting leadership
Experience managing audits and financial controls
Strong track record of accurate financial reporting

Core Skills

  • Financial reporting
  • Internal controls
  • GAAP compliance
  • Audit management
  • Budgeting and forecasting
  • Team leadership
  • ERP proficiency
  • Risk management

A Hypothetical Day in the Life of a Corporate Controller

7:00 AM- You start your day by reviewing yesterday’s close reports and any outstanding audit inquiries. A variance in revenue recognition demands immediate attention before the month-end close. You assign this investigation to your senior accounting manager and schedule a check-in later. Precision here prevents costly delays and maintains financial integrity.

8:00 AM-You lead the daily finance team huddle, clearly communicating closing priorities and stressing the importance of accuracy. You discuss reconciliation statuses and upcoming deadlines. Managing the pressure of tight timelines without sacrificing quality is your daily balancing act. You encourage open communication to avoid surprises at month end.

9:00 AM- You meet with external auditors who are reviewing interim financials. You provide requested documentation, clarify accounting treatments, and discuss findings transparently. Maintaining a cooperative relationship with auditors while protecting company interests requires tact and professionalism. You prepare your team for follow-up questions.

10:30 AM-You analyze internal control reports and spot weaknesses in expense approval processes. You prepare recommendations for process improvements to strengthen controls and reduce risk exposure. You begin coordinating with cross-functional teams to plan and implement necessary changes efficiently.

12:00 PM-Lunch is quick and functional, often taken at your desk. You review budget forecasts for the upcoming quarter, comparing them against actual spend. You prepare questions for department heads to understand significant variances, keeping a close eye on financial discipline.

1:30 PM-You meet with IT leadership to discuss ERP system upgrade plans. You advocate for finance requirements, ensuring the new system supports reporting accuracy and internal controls. Aligning technology with financial processes is critical to reduce manual errors and increase operational efficiency.

2:30 PM-You conduct one-on-one meetings with senior accounting managers, coaching them on compliance best practices and encouraging proactive problem solving. Developing your team’s skills and accountability is an essential part of your leadership approach. You also review their progress toward upcoming deadlines.

4:00 PM-You prepare a detailed summary presentation of financial results for the CFO. You highlight risks, anomalies, and opportunities, providing clear and concise information to support executive decision making. Transparency and insight are key to your reporting style.

5:30 PM- Before wrapping up, you review final reconciliations and sign off on critical reports. Timely accuracy is non-negotiable in your role. You ensure your team has what they need to complete the close successfully tomorrow, reinforcing accountability and high standards.