The job of the corporate controller –prospects and pitfalls

[John Robinson]

The position of the corporate controller, or company controller, has become an important one in companies today. This is a role that has come into being following the evolution of the corporate setup, which has brought with it many changes. The corporate controller has come into existence because of these changes.

In simple terms, the corporate controller is one who can be defined as the chief accounting officer. She is to accounting what the chief executive officer is to the organization, or what the chief technology officer is to technology. In other words, the corporate controller heads the accounting department. She usually, but not necessarily, reports to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in large companies, and to the CEO in smaller ones.

Since this is the primary job of the corporate controller; she is given responsibility for the entire accounts aspects of the company.

A few areas of responsibility

Some of the elements for which the corporate controller is responsible include these:

• The company’s financial statements
• Tax compliance
• Payroll
• General ledger
• Cost accounting
• Budgeting
• Accounts Payable
• Accounts Receivable

People in many important positions in accounts report to the corporate controller. This is especially so in larger organizations. Some of the positions that report to the corporate controller include accounting manager, cost accounting manager, tax manager, accounts payable manager, credit manager, and payroll manager. Although this is a not a formal or strict reporting hierarchy; this is the pattern that can be generally expected in bigger companies, whereas in smaller ones, the corporate controller runs the show singlehandedly.

Get to understand the nitty-gritty of the role of the corporate controller

Do you want to understand the role of the corporate controller in greater depths? Do the prospects of becoming one entice you? Are you excited to explore the challenges, perks and risks of being a corporate controller? Then, a two-day seminar from GlobalCompliancePanel, a leading provider of professional trainings for all the areas of regulatory compliance, is what you need.

At this seminar, Miles Hutchinson, who is President, Sales Tax Advisors, Inc., and an experienced businessman, will be the Director. From being an auditor with PriceWaterhouseCooper and the Chief Financial Officer of a one billion dollar real estate development company; Miles has been a professional speaker and consultant who has presented over 2,500 seminars and training sessions on a myriad of business and financial topics.

In order to get a thorough understanding of this topic and what it takes to be a corporate controller, please log on to The job of the corporate controller –prospects and pitfalls to enroll for this seminar.

Ways of transitioning into the position of corporate controller

Miles will show what it takes to successfully transition into this key position. He will help participants identify the necessary core competencies of the role and become more self-assured as they work to properly define this role for them and their company. This seminar is a very practical one that is designed for financial professionals on the fast track to top management and helps to elevate people in positions such as Corporate, divisional and plant controllers, Assistant controllers; chief accountants, budget directors, Finance and accounting managers, financial analysts, accountants, and Auditors who need to understand the corporate accounting cycle to audit effectively.

Over these two days, the Director has spelt out the following agenda:

• Overview of the Controller’s Job
• Leadership and the Controller’s Path to Top Management
• Technical Aspects of the Controller Function
• Accounting & Reporting Aspects of the Controller’s Role
• Technology & Automation for Increased Productivity
• Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management for the Controller
• Future Trends of the Controller’s Role.

Finally, Miles will suggest recommended resources on this topic.