A finance controller is in a high-ranking position in a company or large organization with the responsibility of managing all the financial aspects of its operation. In this position, you would be responsible for developing, planning, monitoring and reporting on all the financial activities. This type of job is one that you will find in banks, government agencies and departments that require people in the position to help set the operating policies and procedures for dealing with finance. Accounting, bookkeeping and record keeping all fall under the domain of this position and you will have to supervise and manage a staff of accountants and clerks.
As finance controller, you will focus on overseeing the accounting and setting up controls to ensure accuracy of the finances and to prevent fraud from taking place. All the financial reports within the company come to you and you will have to review them. If you have questions or find inconsistencies, you will have to set up meetings with the staff member that prepared the report or you may have to start your own investigation. You are responsible for reporting directly to the board or the executive officer and even though you may not have actually prepared the report yourself, you are responsible for ensuring that it is accurate.
The qualifications required for the position of finance controller include an MBA or an advanced degree in accounting, finance or business administration. You will also need considerable experience in the corporate world of the accounting industry. This means starting off as an accountant, meeting the requirements for becoming a certified public accountant and obtaining the CPA certification. You should try to obtain a position within a large corporation where there are more possibilities for advancement as you gain higher credentials and experience. You can work up to this position by taking a position as an assistant finance controller or as a finance director.
While you work at your job with your sights set on the position of finance controller, you should develop exceptional interpersonal skills to make contacts with those ion executive positions. By building strong relationships with the company’s internal and external auditors, you can become known for the meticulous attention you pay to details in your reports. You can ask these executives to keep you informed about any vacancies that may occur in other corporations allowing you to climb the corporate ladder more easily.
If you aspire to become a finance controller, you should make your superiors aware of your intentions. This will make them take a closer look at your work and know that you perform well in your job. Then your name will come to their minds immediately when they are in need of a person to fulfill this role. You should be an avid reader of financial magazines so that you notice when other companies may be hiring individuals and list your resume with online recruitment agencies so that potential employers will take notice of your skills. You not only have to be good at your job in accounting, but you have to be noticed by those who have authority for hiring.
