• Controllers oversee an organization's financial activities.finance image by Chad McDermott from Fotolia.com
  
  Controllers coordinate and report on large organizations' financial activities, according to StateUniversity.com. They typically must have a bachelor's degree in accounting, business, economics or finance. Those who have a Master of Business Administration degree and who are certified as a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant or Chartered Financial Analyst have the best employment opportunities. Median annual wages of financial managers, which include controllers, in May 2008 were $99,330, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  
  

Accountability Duties

• Controllers must oversee a company's accounting, audit and budget departments and establish controls to make sure the company's financial activities are performed accurately and ethically. These professionals can work for government agencies, corporations and even banks. Controllers also come up with recommendations to improve financial audit procedures at an organization. They establish financial policies and oversee the sending out of periodic financial reports such as statements to government agencies and stockholders along with tax returns. They must know accounting and cost control principles and also must understand state and federal financial regulations.
  
  

Budget Duties

• Controllers plan budgets and make sure the company stays within its established annual budget when spending money on equipment, salaries and other operating expenses. They direct the preparation of annual financial reports and typically report to an organization's board of director or president. The financial reports they help prepare usually include balance sheets, income statements and future earnings/expenses analysis. Controllers must complete short- and long-term financial forecasting before making investment decisions or moving forward with contract negotiations.
  
  Controllers also make sure all payables are paid and that all receivables are collected in a timely manner, according to AccountingTools.com. They oversee assets and investments and might seek funding from banks to establish new offices, for example. They are responsible for handling debt financing and debt service payments. Controllers also suggest goals for measuring the financial performance of a company and the effectiveness of various departments' operations, according to HRVillage.com. They might serve on policy-making committees as well.
  
  

Representative/Staff Duties

• Controllers usually serve as a representative to funding agencies, government agencies, the media and the general public. In addition, they hire, train and supervise financial staff and teach new staff accounting policies. They must be able to motivate employees to produce quality work that meets tight deadlines and lead group meetings. They also might be required to process payroll, making sure that employees are paid correctly and on time.