Controller / Chief Accounting: skills & capabilities the market requires
Based on 210 real Controller / Chief Accounting job postings, here is what companies actually require for this role today: the capabilities that define it, the hard skills named most often, the scope expected, typical experience and pay. The market leans hardest on Risk, Security & Compliance (65%) and Data & Analytics (63%).
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Core capabilities for a Controller / Chief Accounting
- Risk, Security & Compliance — required in 65% of postings
- Data & Analytics — required in 63% of postings
- Strategic Leadership — required in 36% of postings
- Operational Excellence — required in 35% of postings
- Stakeholder Management — required in 30% of postings
- Executive Communication — required in 30% of postings
- Cross-functional Leadership — required in 26% of postings
Most-required hard skills
- Financial Reporting
- Internal Controls
- General Ledger Management
- Financial Statement Preparation
- Accounting
- Tax Compliance
- Financial Analysis
Leadership & soft skills
- Leadership
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Stakeholder Management
- Communication
Scope, experience & pay
Controller / Chief Accounting roles expect deal / M&A experience in 9% of postings, IPO or capital markets in 9%, and transformation in 20%. Typical stated experience: 10 years. Pay signal from postings (base): $200K–$212K.
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