5 Amazing controller Resume Examples (Updated 2023) + Skills & Job Descriptions

Your knowledge of GAAP, business finances, and strategic insight have taken you far. You can communicate well with executives and work efficiently in a dynamic environment. Without a resume that performs at your level, though, landing a new job can be challenging even for the most gifted accounting professional. In a way, creating a compelling controller resume is a lot like budgeting. It's a balancing act. Naturally, you want to list your years of accounting experience, your skills with SAP and other accounting systems, and your CPA if you have one. If you're a wiz at financial analysis and KPI maintenance, those skills should go on there too. Recruiters and hiring managers tend to only give a resume a quick scan before making an interview decision, so that expertise must be balanced against a condensed layout to catch their attention. Rather than start from scratch, you can grab a resume sample from our collection and incorporate the advice and tips from our writers to save time. Combined with your eye for detail, we're confident you'll have the tools you need to pursue your next position with confidence.

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controller: Resume Samples & Writing Guide

Employment history

Senior Controller, Grant Thornton Chicago, Illinois

June 2014 – Present

Prepare and review budgets and forecasts
Establish and maintain fiscal files and records to document transactions
Manage and oversee the daily operations of the accounting department

Controller, McGladrey Minneapolis, Minnesota

November 2013 – May 2014

Participate in financial standards setting and in forecast process
Monitor and support taxation issues
Establish and maintain fiscal files and records to document transactions

Junior Controller, Moss Adams Seattle, Washington

May 2013 – October 2013

Analyze financial information and summarize financial status
Manage and comply with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings
Monitor and support taxation issues

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign, Illinois

Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, March, 2013

Skills

Analytical

Quality Assurance

Professionalism

Planning

Payroll

Budgeting

Reconciliation

Auditing

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Professional Summary

A highly experienced Controller with a successful track record of providing strategic guidance and financial oversight in the accounting and auditing field. Proven ability to lead teams, develop processes and ensure accuracy and compliance.

Employment history

Lead Controller, PwC New York, New York

February 2014 – Present

Establish and maintain fiscal files and records to document transactions
Prepare and review budgets and forecasts
Analyze financial information and summarize financial status

Controller, McGladrey Minneapolis, Minnesota

February 2013 – January 2014

Prepare and review budgets and forecasts
Monitor and analyze accounting data and produce financial reports or statements
Manage and oversee the daily operations of the accounting department

Entry Level Controller, Ernst & Young New York, New York

February 2012 – January 2013

Develop and implement internal control policies and procedures
Analyze financial information and summarize financial status
Coordinate and complete annual audits

Education

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California

Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), December, 2011

Skills

Conflict Resolution

Risk Management

Teamwork

Innovation

Sarbanes-Oxley

Financial Statements

Financial Analysis

Tax Preparation

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Employment history

Entry Level Controller, BDO USA Chicago, Illinois

February 2022 – November 2022

Analyze financial information and summarize financial status
Coordinate and complete annual audits
Monitor and support taxation issues

Education

New York University, New York, New York

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), December, 2021

Skills

Relationship Management.

Technical

Time Management

Analytical

Variance Analysis

Financial Planning

Auditing

Internal Controls

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Professional Summary

Experienced Controller with a passion for accounting and auditing. Proven track record of driving financial performance and accuracy in financial reporting.

Employment history

Senior Controller, Crowe Horwath Indianapolis, Indiana

October 2010 – Present

Manage and oversee the daily operations of the accounting department
Establish and maintain fiscal files and records to document transactions
Prepare financial statements and reports

Controller, KPMG New York, New York

April 2009 – September 2010

Monitor and analyze accounting data and produce financial reports or statements
Manage and comply with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings
Coordinate and complete annual audits

Entry Level Controller, Grant Thornton Chicago, Illinois

April 2008 – March 2009

Ensure compliance with GAAP principles
Reconcile accounts in a timely manner
Advise management on needed actions regarding financial matters

Education

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California

Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics (Accounting), February, 2008

Skills

Professionalism

Presentation

Financial Management

Organization

Cash Flow Management

Financial Modeling

Forecasting

GAAP

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Employment history

Lead Controller, Grant Thornton Chicago, Illinois

June 2019 – Present

Prepare financial statements and reports
Ensure compliance with GAAP principles
Establish and maintain fiscal files and records to document transactions

Associate Controller, BDO USA Chicago, Illinois

June 2018 – May 2019

Develop and document business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls
Participate in financial standards setting and in forecast process
Coordinate and complete annual audits

Junior Controller, BDO USA Chicago, Illinois

December 2017 – May 2018

Ensure compliance with GAAP principles
Monitor and analyze accounting data and produce financial reports or statements
Prepare financial statements and reports

Education

New York University, New York, New York

Certified Management Accountant (CMA), October, 2017

Skills

Problem Solving

Organization

Accounting

Financial Management

Payroll

GAAP

Financial Analysis

Financial Statements

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controller Job Descriptions; Explained

If you're applying for an controller position, it's important to tailor your resume to the specific job requirements in order to differentiate yourself from other candidates. Including accurate and relevant information that directly aligns with the job description can greatly increase your chances of securing an interview with potential employers.

When crafting your resume, be sure to use action verbs and a clear, concise format to highlight your relevant skills and experience. Remember, the job description is your first opportunity to make an impression on recruiters, so pay close attention to the details and make sure you're presenting yourself in the best possible light.

controller

Prepared and presented financial statements and budgets to management team
Maintained payroll records and managed all HR functions
Oversaw all AR and AP functions
Managed cash flow and liaisoned with bankers and tax professionals
Managed 401k Plan administration and all company insurance

controller

Publicly traded company.
VP finance/controller for independent division within Schlumberger including international operations.
Managed sale process of division to private equity ownership.
Built all financial functions for new stand-alone business from prior corporate division. All financial and compliance infrastructure.

controller

Hire, train and supervise accounting staff.
Perform Human Resource duties.
Develop and implement processes, procedures and best practices.
Maintain and reconcile all bank and general ledger accounts.
Financial reporting and month end.
Calculate and pay all local and state taxes.
Manage cash flow in economic downturn.

controller

Adaptable, versatile workflow, multitasking well under pressure
Positioned as primary liaison to streamline operations of multiple lines of business within organization and executive assistant
Responsible for all accounting operations for a small manufacturing company, including but not limited to payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, inventory and annual audit.
Prepare company for corporate audit and buyout.

controller

Manage prepaid expenses, accruals, revenue recognition and fixed assets per GAAP standards
Analyze statistical data and reports to identify inefficiencies and develop recommendations for improvement
Analyze monthly balance sheet accounts for corporate reporting
Generate financial statements and facilitate account closing procedures each month in accordance with GAAP
Prepare monthly Key Indicators and present to upper management
Analyze accounting procedures to improve operations
Create monthly reports comparing budgeted costs to actual costs.

1 2 3 4 … 7

controller Job Skills

For an controller position, your job skills are a key factor in demonstrating your value to the company and showing recruiters that you're the ight fit for the role. It's important to be specific when highlighting your skills and ensure that they are directly aligned with the job requirements, as this can greatly improve your chances of being hired. By showcasing your relevant skills and experience, you can make a compelling case for why you're the best candidate for the job.

How to include technical skills in your resume:

Technical skills are a set of specialized abilities and knowledge required to perform a particular job effectively. Some examples of technical skills are data analysis, project management, software proficiency, and programming languages, to name a few.

Add the technical skills that will get hired in your career field with our simple-to-use resume builder. Select your desired resume template, once you reach the skills section of the builder, manually write in the skill or simply click on "Add more skills". This will automatically generate the best skills for your career field, choose your skill level, and hit "Save & Next."

Account Reconciliation
Financial Analysis
Internal Controls
GAAP
Budgeting
Auditing
Tax Preparation
Bookkeeping
Cost Accounting
Forecasting
Accounts Payable/Receivable
Financial Planning
Financial Statements
Sarbanes-Oxley
Variance Analysis
Cash Flow Management
Payroll
Bank Reconciliation
Reconciliation
Financial Modeling

How to include soft skills in your resume:

Soft skills are non-technical skills that relate to how you work and that can be used in any job. Including soft skills such as time management, creative thinking, teamwork, and conflict resolution demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and show that you navigate challenges and changes in the workplace efficiently.

Add competitive soft skills to make your resume stand-out to recruiters! Simply select your preferred resume template in the skills section, enter the skills manually or use the "Add more skills" option. Our resume builder will generate the most relevant soft skills for your career path. Choose your proficiency level for each skill, and then click "Save & Next" to proceed to the next section.

Communication
Interpersonal
Leadership
Time Management
Problem Solving
Decision Making
Critical Thinking
Creativity
Adaptability
Teamwork
Organization
Planning
Public Speaking
Negotiation
Conflict Resolution
Research
Analytical
Attention to Detail
Self-Motivation
Stress Management
Collaboration
Coaching
Mentoring
Listening
Networking
Strategic Thinking
Negotiation
Emotional Intelligence
Adaptability
Flexibility
Reliability
Professionalism
Computer Literacy
Technical
Data Analysis
Project Management
Customer Service
Presentation
Written Communication
Social Media
Troubleshooting
Quality Assurance
Collaboration
Supervisory
Risk Management
Database Management
Training
Innovation
Documentation
Accounting
Financial Management
Visualization
Reporting
Business Acumen
Process Improvement
Documentation
Relationship Management.

How to Improve Your controller Resume

Navigating resume pitfalls can mean the difference between landing an interview or not. Missing job descriptions or unexplained work history gaps can cause recruiters to hesitate. Let's not even talk about the impact of bad grammar, and forgetting your contact info could leave your potential employer hanging. Aim to be comprehensive, concise, and accurate.

Professional Summary

A highly motivated and detail-oriented Controller with extensive experience in accounting and auditing. Skilled in providing accurate and timely financial data and analysis to support strategic decision-making.

Employment history

Chief Controller, BDO USA Chicago, Illinois

February 2011 – Present

Reconcile accounts in a timely manner
Establish and maintain fiscal files and records to document transactions
Participate in financial standards setting and in forecast process

Controller, Grant Thornton Chicago, Illinois

February 2010 – January 2011

Coordinate and complete annual audits
Manage and oversee the daily operations of the accounting department
Ensure compliance with GAAP principles

Entry Level Controller, BDO USA Chicago, Illinois

February 2009 – January 2010

Education

Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Accounting), December, 2008

Skills

Time Management

Flexibility

Decision Making

Financial Management

Auditing

Cost Accounting

Accounts Payable/Receivable

Financial Modeling

Include your Contact Information and Job Descriptions

Missing job descriptions lessens your chances of getting hired.

Key Insights

Employers want to know what you've accomplished, so make sure to include descriptions for all of your previous jobs.
Keep job descriptions short but don't just list your jobs.
Never copy-paste a job description to post on your resume. Get inspired and use tools to help you write customized descriptions.

How to Optimize Your controller Resume

Keep an eye out for these resume traps. Neglecting to detail your job roles or explain gaps in your career can lead to unnecessary doubts. Grammar blunders can reflect negatively on you, and without contact information, how can employers reach you? Be meticulous and complete.

Employment history

Senior Controller, Moss Adams Seattle, Washington

April 2023 – May 2022

Mange and comply with local, state, and fedreal government reporting requirments and tax fillings
Estblish and maintain fical files and records to document transations
Prepair financial statments and reports.

Associate Controller, Grant Thornton Chicago, Illinois

April 2022 – March 2023

Mointor and analysing accounting data and produced financial reports or statement
Developing and documentting business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strenghtening internal controls
Ensuring compliance with GAAP principles.

Junior Controller, PwC New York, New York

April 2021 – April 2022

Esteblish and mantain fiscal files and records to document transactiosn
Developd and implement internall control policiess and procedurres
Manege and comply with local, state, and federal governemnt reporting requirements and tax filigns.

Education

Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

Doctor of Finance (Accounting), March, 2021

Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

Bachelor of Science in Finance (Accounting), March, 2017

Skills

Communication

Innovation

Organization

Decision Making

Bookkeeping

Financial Analysis

Payroll

Auditing

Correct Grammar and Address Gap Years in Your Resume

Don't leave unexplained gaps in your work history.

Key Insights

When explaining gaps in your employment section, start by being honest.
Elaborate on the gap and show that you never stopped learning.
Explain and elaborate any gap in your work history by highlighting new skills.

controller Cover Letter Example

A cover letter can be a valuable addition to your job application when applying for an controller position. Cover letters provide a concise summary of your qualifications, skills, and experience, also it also gives you an opportunity to explain why you're the best fit for the job. Crafting a cover letter that showcases your relevant experience and enthusiasm for the Accounts Payable role can significantly improve your chances of securing an interview.

Senior Controller
KPMG
New York, New York

Dear Hiring Committee

I am a highly motivated and experienced Controller with 10 years of experience in Accounting & Auditing. I am excited to apply for the Senior Controller position at KPMG, where I am confident that I can contribute to your organization's success.

Throughout my life, I have pursued my passion for Financial Statement Analysis and sought out opportunities to learn and grow. My experience in Accounting & Auditing has given me valuable skills such as Analytical and Quality Assurance that have allowed me to improve professionally and personally. I am excited to bring these skills and my passion as a Controller to the position and work with a team of like-minded individuals to achieve our common goals.

I appreciate the time and consideration you have given my application. I am confident that if we work together we could achieve great things and so I look forward to the opportunity to join your team.

Thank you for your time,
Dale Martin
651-421-1863
dalemartin31@zoho.com

Dale Martin

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