What is Included in a Financial Controller Job Description?

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

The bulk of a financial controller job description will likely consist of the duties specific to the job. Some of these may include development of profit and loss statements for the company. A financial controller may also be asked to prepare financial statements and coordinate audits at the end of the year. Preparing budgets may also be listed as a requirement.

Since a controller is often the top financial officer of a company, a job description for this position may outline the responsibility of supervising other individuals and departments. These may include budget, audit, and accounting departments. A controller may be required to mentor accountants and ensure that the staff within these departments are doing their jobs properly.

In some companies, the financial controller job description may ask that candidates are capable of managing the payroll, the insurance providers, and benefits programs. Job descriptions may list serving on planning committees or working on special projects as a requirement of the position. Setting policies within the organization may 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 within 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, because the controller often has to explain information to employees or management, communication skills — both written and verbal — are very important. Knowledge of specialized software in which to do the accounting procedures is sometimes required. Job descriptions may also require that candidates be detail-oriented, because financial controllers are usually the last to see company financial information before it is disseminated.

Job descriptions for this position usually have particular educational and professional experience requirements. Generally, applicants must have, at minimum, a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. Most organizations require that the financial controller be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with experience in the public accounting sector. Some require a Master of Business Administration (MBA), as well.