Controller Role Summary Job Description Template

-

Oversee Accounting Operations: Manage all daily accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger entries, to ensure transactions are recorded accurately and internal controls are followed . This includes establishing proper procedures for invoice processing, expense approvals, and cash handling.

-

Financial Reporting & Compliance: Prepare timely and accurate financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow) and management reports, verifying that all figures are correct and in line with GAAP and relevant laws

. This responsibility involves reviewing trial balances, adjusting journal entries, and ensuring compliance with tax regulations and filing requirements.

-

Month-End/Year-End Close: Manage the month-end and year-end closing processes. This means reconciling all key accounts (bank reconciliations, inventory, accruals), reviewing journal entries for accuracy, resolving discrepancies, and producing finalized accounts by set deadlines. Any variances or anomalies are investigated and explained as part of the close process.

-

Budgeting & Forecasting: Develop and administer the company's budgeting and forecasting processes - working with department heads to create annual budgets, updating forecasts based on actual performance, and monitoring variances between budget and actual results throughout the year . The Controller provides analysis on budget deviations and recommends corrective actions or re-forecasts to assist in decision-making.

-

Audit & Compliance Management: Coordinate external audits and implement audit recommendations. Liaise with auditors (external financial auditors, tax authorities, or internal auditors if applicable) by providing required documentation and explanations. The Controller ensures the company meets all compliance obligations, including proper income tax reporting and regulatory filings , and addresses any control or compliance issues uncovered during audits.

-

Internal Controls & Policy Enforcement: Establish, maintain, and continuously improve internal controls and financial policies to safeguard company assets and ensure accurate record-keeping This includes enforcing segregation of duties (e.g. separating invoice approval and payment roles), approval hierarchies for expenditures, and other checks to prevent fraud or errors. The Controller regularly reviews processes for weaknesses and updates policies or procedures as needed.

-

Financial Analysis & Advising: Analyze financial data to identify trends, anomalies, or improvement opportunities as part of supporting business decisions

. This can involve computing key financial ratios, monitoring cash flow projections, and benchmarking performance against targets. The Controller recommends financial performance benchmarks and provides insight to senior management on issues such as cost control, margin improvement, or pricing impacts

. They often prepare commentary to explain the "story" behind the numbers for management meetings or board reports.

-

Team Leadership (and Hands-on Execution): Lead and mentor the accounting/finance team if one exists - this includes supervising accountants or bookkeepers, delegating tasks, and providing training or guidance to improve the team's capabilities. In many SMBs, the Controller might also perform hands-on accounting tasks (such as entering transactions or running payroll) especially if the finance team is very small . They set the tone for the finance team's work ethic and accuracy, and coordinate cross-department collaboration (e.g. working with Operations or Sales on financial matters).

-

Deep knowledge of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and solid accounting fundamentals - able to ensure all financial reporting aligns with proper standards . This includes understanding of accrual accounting, revenue recognition principles, and accounting for assets/ liabilities correctly.

-

Financial reporting and analysis expertise - capable of preparing accurate financial statements, budgeting, and analyzing variances to inform business decisions

. The Controller should be comfortable interpreting financial results, performing ratio analysis, and explaining what the numbers mean.

-

Proficiency with accounting software and spreadsheets - experienced in using tools like QuickBooks or Xero (or mid-tier ERP systems like NetSuite/Dynamics) for day-to-day accounting, and advanced Excel/Google Sheets skills for financial modeling, data analysis, and reporting

-

Understanding of regulatory compliance and tax basics - knowledgeable about key compliance requirements (sales tax, income tax, payroll tax deadlines) and able to ensure tax filings and financial regulations are adhered to . Knows how to coordinate tax preparation and work with external tax advisors as needed.

-

Strong internal control acumen - able to design and evaluate financial controls to prevent errors or fraud, and to ensure accurate, audit-ready books (e.g. enforcing segregation of duties, approval workflows, reconciliations)

. Can assess current processes for risk and implement improvements to tighten controls.

-