Career Overview
Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.
Also Known As
- Comptroller
- Controller
- Corporate Treasurer
- Treasurer
Alternate Job Titles
- City Comptroller
- City Controller
- City Treasurer
- Comptroller
- Controller
- Corporate Controller
- Corporate Treasurer
- Cost Controller
- County Treasurer
- Financial Controller
- Financial Engineer
- Financial Institution Treasurer
- Financial Officer
- Financier
- Plant Controller
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Evaluate needs for procurement of funds and investment of surpluses and make appropriate recommendations.
- Delegate authority for the receipt, disbursement, banking, protection, and custody of funds, securities, and financial instruments.
- Develop and maintain relationships with banking, insurance, and external accounting personnel to facilitate financial activities.
- Monitor financial activities and details, such as cash flow and reserve levels, to ensure that all legal and regulatory requirements are met.
- Receive, record, and authorize requests for disbursements in accordance with company policies and procedures.
- Develop internal control policies, guidelines, and procedures for activities, such as budget administration, cash and credit management, and accounting.
- Coordinate and direct the financial planning, budgeting, procurement, or investment activities of all or part of an organization.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Economics and Accounting
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Speaking
- Management of Financial Resources
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Mathematics
- Writing
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Inductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
- Mathematical Reasoning
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Leadership Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Independence
- Support
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
On-the-Job Training: None or short demonstration
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Word
- Oracle PeopleSoft
Tools & Equipment
- 10-key calculators
- Desktop computers
- Notebook computers
- Personal computers
- Personal digital assistants PDA
- Tablet computers
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Telephone Conversations
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Spend Time Sitting
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Financial Managers occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Treasurers and Controllers.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $86,490 |
| Median | $161,700 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | >$239,200 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 818,620
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Accountants and Auditors
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $81,680
Financial Examiners
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $90,400
Chief Executives
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $206,420
Financial Managers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $161,700
Budget Analysts
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $87,930
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.