Assistant Controller Salary

Created by Henry Steele

By Henry Steele - April 15, 2018
Reading Time: 13 minutes
Reading Time: 13 minutes

The following article discusses the career path of Assistant controller. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Assistant controllers.

Job Duties

Assistant controllers are responsible for the day to day management of accounts. They also usually oversee any internal audits that are conducted. They must understand various financial regulations that must be adhered to. They are also expected to be excellent managers, supervising a team and providing advice to superiors. Furthermore, they must make sure all data held in accounts is accurate and that they have integrity while completing counts. They may need to manage the budget, allocating funds as and where required and reporting on the effectiveness of these activities. Often, they report directly to the Chief Executive or to the Chief Financial Officer.

Other duties of the assistant controller are:

  • To help prepare financial statements and reports within their organization
  • To edit and review financial statements and determine if these meet the relevant industry standards and business requirements

Where We Work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 1,397,700 accountants and auditors in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals are:

  • Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services: 25%
  • Government: 8%
  • Finance and insurance: 8%
  • Management of companies and enterprises: 7%
  • Self-employed workers: 7%

How to Become

Any company with a finance department can have an assistant controller. It is generally expected that these professionals have knowledge of their particular industry as well. Additionally, an accounting or finance degree is also required. The role of assistant controller is not an entry level position. Hence, significant and relevant experience is usually also required.

If they have to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), they must be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). This means that they have to complete education beyond their bachelor’s degree and pass the CPA exam. Some Assistant Controllers are expected to be a CPA, which is why most have the master’s degree as this enables them to meet and exceed the 150 semester hours of coursework requirement for the certification examination. The CPA examination is offered by the American Institute for Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). CPA certification must be maintained through continuous education.

Assistant controllers usually start their career at an entry level position and then grow into supervisory roles, becoming managers and eventually even partners. Some start as junior internal auditors or cost accountants, for instance, rising through the organization over time. It is also common for them to move between internal auditing and management accounting so that they get more varied experiences.

Education Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is usually the minimum requirement, with a major in accounting, finance, or related field. Those with a master’s degree are usually in higher demand, particularly those with a master in business administration (MBA) with an accountancy concentration.

Aside from the CPA designation, other certifications can also be beneficial for someone working as an assistant controller, including:

– Certified Management Accountant (CMA) offered by the Institute of Management Accountants
– Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) offered by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
– Certified in Control Self-Assessment (CCSA) offered by the IIA
– Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP) offered by the IIA
– Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA) offered by the IIA
– Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) offered by the IIA
– Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) offered by ISACA
– CPA Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) offered by AICPA
– CPA Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) offered by AICPA
– CPA Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) offered by AICPA

Traits & Qualities

The most effective assistant controllers have the following traits to some degree or other:

– Strong analytical skills
– Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
– Detail oriented
– Excellent mathematical skills
– Strong organizational skills

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s Degree

National Salary

The national average salary estimate for Assistant controller was $86,020. This number is estimated from over 1,938,536 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $44.80 and monthly of $7,168.

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$27,000

$176,000

Salary Distribution

Salary by State

The following section lists Assistant controller salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $108,260 while Rhode Island had the smallest quoted salary of $61,831.

AlabamaKansasNevada
ArkansasKentuckyNew York
ArizonaLouisianaOhio
CaliforniaMassachusettsOklahoma
ColoradoMarylandOregon
ConnecticutMainePennsylvania
DCMichiganRhode Island
DelawareMinnesotaSouth Carolina
FloridaMissouriTennessee
GeorgiaMississippiTexas
HawaiiNorth CarolinaUtah
IowaNebraskaVirginia
IdahoNew HampshireVermont
IllinoisNew JerseyWashington
IndianaNew MexicoWisconsin
Alabama$71,054Rank: 32nd
The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Vaco Assistant Controller, PANGEATWO Assistant Controller, Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, and ITAC Solutions, LLC Assistant Controller.

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$27,000

$134,000

Salary Distribution
Arkansas$63,470Rank: 42nd
The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller and Arkansas Department Of Human Services Assistant Controller.

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$24,000

$121,000

Salary Distribution
Arizona$78,443Rank: 20th
The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Kforce Finance and Accounting Assistant Controller, Vaco Assistant Controller, AZ Search Resources, LLC Assistant Controller, and VincentBenjamin Assistant Controller.

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$28,000

$153,000

Salary Distribution
California$100,145Rank: 3rd
The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Accounting Placements Direct Assistant Controller, Vaco Assistant Controller, Vertical Careers, Inc. Assistant Controller, and Century Group Assistant Controller.

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$35,000

$198,000

Salary Distribution
Colorado$76,799Rank: 23rd
The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Creative Financial Staffing Assistant Controller, J2T Recruiting Consultants Assistant Controller, High Country Executive Search Assistant Controller, and Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller.

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$28,000

$148,000

Salary Distribution
Connecticut$95,457Rank: 4th
The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, Juliska Assistant Controller, SNI Financial Assistant Controller, and LPA (Lighting Partners America) Assistant Controller.

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$32,000

$192,000

Salary Distribution
DC$108,260Rank: 1st
The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Parker and Lynch Assistant Controller, AMEX International Inc. Assistant Controller, Potomac Partners LLC Assistant Controller, and Capital Search Group Assistant Controller.

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$44,000

$201,000

Salary Distribution
Delaware$79,679Rank: 17th
The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like firstPRO Inc. Assistant Controller, Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, and Accountemps Assistant Controller.

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$32,000

$148,000

Salary Distribution
Florida$79,008Rank: 19th
The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ferreri Search Assistant Controller, Kforce Finance and Accounting Assistant Controller, Tru-Bridge, Inc. Assistant Controller, and Parker+Lynch Assistant Controller.

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$29,000

$152,000

Salary Distribution
Georgia$90,308Rank: 9th
The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Pareto Solutions Group, Inc. Assistant Controller, Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, SearchLogic Assistant Controller, and TakeHire LLC Assistant Controller.

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$33,000

$175,000

Salary Distribution
Hawaii$72,672Rank: 30th
The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Express Employment Professionals Assistant Controller, ALTRES Assistant Controller, Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, and ALTRES Office Assistant Controller.

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$36,000

$113,000

Salary Distribution
Iowa$76,189Rank: 25th
The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, Aureus Group Assistant Controller, Palmer Group Assistant Controller, and Accountemps Assistant Controller.

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$35,000

$132,000

Salary Distribution
Idaho$64,526Rank: 40th
The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Lewis Group Assistant Controller.

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$24,000

$123,000

Salary Distribution
Illinois$91,821Rank: 8th
The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Rayco Technical Solutions, LLC Assistant Controller, Phillips Staffing Solutions Assistant Controller, PMG Employment Consultants Assistant Controller, and The Pursell Group Assistant Controller.

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$36,000

$172,000

Salary Distribution
Indiana$67,855Rank: 38th
The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Amer Technology, Inc Assistant Controller, Creative Financial Staffing Assistant Controller, Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, and Nigel Frank International Assistant Controller.

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$30,000

$120,000

Salary Distribution
Kansas$73,182Rank: 28th
The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Morgan Hunter Assistant Controller, Morgan Hunter Companies Assistant Controller, Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, and Ambassador Personnel Assistant Controller.

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$28,000

$139,000

Salary Distribution
Kentucky$69,145Rank: 36th
The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Vaco Assistant Controller, Experis Assistant Controller, and Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller.

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$30,000

$124,000

Salary Distribution
Louisiana$64,465Rank: 41st
The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, French America Line Assistant Controller, and Accountemps Assistant Controller.

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$18,000

$138,000

Salary Distribution
Massachusetts$100,941Rank: 2nd
The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like AP Accounting & Finance Assistant Controller, Michael Page US Assistant Controller, Liberty Mutual Assistant Controller, and KBW Financial Assistant Controller.

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$38,000

$193,000

Salary Distribution
Maryland$86,701Rank: 12th
The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, Parker and Lynch Assistant Controller, Jones Networking Assistant Controller, and HILTON Baltimore BWI Airport Assistant Controller.

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$29,000

$174,000

Salary Distribution
Maine$69,819Rank: 34th
The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller and Pratt-Abbott Assistant Controller.

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$18,000

$155,000

Salary Distribution
Michigan$77,654Rank: 22nd
The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Intersect Group Assistant Controller, Venteon Assistant Controller, UHY LLP Assistant Controller, and Endevis Assistant Controller.

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$29,000

$148,000

Salary Distribution
Minnesota$81,453Rank: 16th
The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, Executive Recruiting Services, Inc. Assistant Controller, Waste Connections Assistant Controller, and Pro Staff Assistant Controller.

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$27,000

$163,000

Salary Distribution
Missouri$73,122Rank: 29th
The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Beacon Hill Staffing Assistant Controller, Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, Technology Resource Group Assistant Controller, and Burchard & Associates, Inc. Assistant Controller.

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$27,000

$140,000

Salary Distribution
Mississippi$68,511Rank: 37th
The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller and Personnel Services, Inc. Assistant Controller.

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$31,000

$120,000

Salary Distribution
North Carolina$79,248Rank: 18th
The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Banyan Search Assistant Controller, Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, Parker and Lynch Assistant Controller, and Randstad Professionals Assistant Controller.

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$24,000

$166,000

Salary Distribution
Nebraska$62,025Rank: 44th
The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like $70-80k ** Succession plan to Controller! Assistant Controller, Hemphill Staffing Solutions Assistant Controller, Executive Recruiting Services, Inc. Assistant Controller, and Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller.

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$24,000

$116,000

Salary Distribution
New Hampshire$88,079Rank: 10th
The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like KBW Financial Assistant Controller, Accountemps Assistant Controller, and Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller.

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$27,000

$184,000

Salary Distribution
New Jersey$93,489Rank: 7th
The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, APA International Placement Consultants LLC Assistant Controller, Vaco Assistant Controller, and GSP International Assistant Controller.

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$30,000

$191,000

Salary Distribution
New Mexico$63,261Rank: 43rd
The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, Parker and Lynch Assistant Controller, Sabio Systems Assistant Controller, and Accountemps Assistant Controller.

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$22,000

$124,000

Salary Distribution
Nevada$76,630Rank: 24th
The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Randstad Professionals Assistant Controller, Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, AppleOne Assistant Controller, and Ajilon Assistant Controller.

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$27,000

$151,000

Salary Distribution
New York$95,008Rank: 5th
The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Henderson Harbor Group Assistant Controller, $2.5B multi strat hedge fund Assistant Controller, Premier Alternative Asset Management Firm Assistant Controller, and Advantage Resourcing – New York City Assistant Controller.

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$30,000

$196,000

Salary Distribution
Ohio$73,355Rank: 27th
The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Aerotek Assistant Controller, Ringside Search Partners Assistant Controller, General Employment Assistant Controller, and CMax Advisors Assistant Controller.

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$29,000

$136,000

Salary Distribution
Oklahoma$82,782Rank: 15th
The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Parker and Lynch Assistant Controller, Fuse3 Solutions Assistant Controller, Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, and DirectConnect Assistant Controller.

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$36,000

$147,000

Salary Distribution
Oregon$74,608Rank: 26th
The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Parker and Lynch Assistant Controller, Creative Financial Staffing Assistant Controller, Equilibrium Recruiting, LLC Assistant Controller, and Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller.

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$30,000

$138,000

Salary Distribution
Pennsylvania$84,571Rank: 14th
The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like firstPROPhiladelphia Assistant Controller, Project HOME Assistant Controller, Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, and Keystone Staffing Solutions – Downtown Pittsburgh, PA Assistant Controller.

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$24,000

$180,000

Salary Distribution
Rhode Island$61,831Rank: 45th
The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Personnel People, Inc. Assistant Controller.

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$31,000

$103,000

Salary Distribution
South Carolina$69,790Rank: 35th
The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like American Personnel Assistant Controller, AccountSource, Inc. Assistant Controller, Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, and FGP International Assistant Controller.

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$29,000

$127,000

Salary Distribution
Tennessee$70,304Rank: 33rd
The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Accounting Career Network Assistant Controller, Arthur Wright and Associates Assistant Controller, Parker and Lynch Assistant Controller, and Vaco Assistant Controller.

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$26,000

$134,000

Salary Distribution
Texas$87,437Rank: 11th
The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Alliance Resource Group Assistant Controller, Asset Management Firm Assistant Controller, Growing Manufacturer of consumer based goods Assistant Controller, and Vaco Assistant Controller.

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$32,000

$169,000

Salary Distribution
Utah$71,585Rank: 31st
The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Conner Recruiting Assistant Controller, Anderson Frank Assistant Controller, The Connor Group Assistant Controller, and PrincePerelson & Associates Assistant Controller.

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$28,000

$133,000

Salary Distribution
Virginia$94,921Rank: 6th
The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, Search Pro Group Assistant Controller, Vaco Assistant Controller, and Richmond, VA Assistant Controller.

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$37,000

$179,000

Salary Distribution
Vermont$65,456Rank: 39th
The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller.

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$29,000

$116,000

Salary Distribution
Washington$78,232Rank: 21st
The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Parker and Lynch Assistant Controller, Recruiting Integrity, LLC Assistant Controller, CyberCoders Assistant Controller, and Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller.

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$28,000

$152,000

Salary Distribution
Wisconsin$85,091Rank: 13th
The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Parker and Lynch Assistant Controller, Nigel Frank International Assistant Controller, Robert Half Finance & Accounting Assistant Controller, and Briess Malt & Ingredients Assistant Controller.

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$22,000

$190,000

Salary Distribution

Top 20 National Employers

According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Assistant controller. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.

Employer NameLocationAverage Salary

Learn More

Related Careers

Career NameAverage Salary

Henry Steele
Managing Editor
Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.

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