If you have been thinking about becoming a finance controller, there are several things to consider. While accounting knowledge is important, other essential skills such as leadership, strategic planning, and communication will be invaluable in this position. In this article, you will learn about these skills and more. Listed below are the top 3 things to look for in a finance controller. After reading this article, you will be ready to start applying for this position! Once youҶe started looking, youҬl be on your way to a great future as a finance controller! Accounting knowledge One of the essential qualifications for a finance controller is a solid background in accounting and tax issues. An excellent candidate for a finance controller job will have a demonstrated track record of success in financial accounting, a strong understanding of tax issues and a desire to guide others and own the companyҳ books. This role requires a high level of self-management, as a successful finance controller must guide and compel others to follow policies. A good finance controller should be skilled in accounting, with excellent problem-solving skills. They should also be highly organized and have excellent leadership skills. Their role should be to streamline the accounting functions, provide financial analysis, train staff, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive income generation. If you are interested in becoming a finance controller, be sure to seek out educational opportunities in accounting and finance and get as much experience as possible. The skills you gain will ensure your success in this vital position. A successful finance controller will have at least seven to 10 years of relevant experience. While experience in a corporate or large company is preferred, smaller businesses value hands-on experience over managerial skills. An excellent controller will have all of the fundamental accounting knowledge required of a finance controller and should also be highly proficient in spreadsheets, Microsoft Excel, and other accounting software. A finance controller is also usually responsible for motivating staff. They are responsible for the overall success of a company, and should possess an advanced understanding of SEC reporting standards. A financial controller must be a problem-solver and be able to effectively communicate complex information to senior managers. Having good leadership skills, strong interpersonal skills, and charisma are essential qualities for a finance controller. Although controllers typically do more accounting day-to-day, they may also do some accounting on a daily basis. In larger companies, however, there will most likely be a clear distinction between an accountant and a financial controller. Leadership skills A finance controllerҳ role requires a deep understanding of finance. Controllers are the financial interpreters and guides to executive teams. To succeed in this role, candidates must demonstrate leadership and management skills. They should have a solid foundation in accounting, tax, and financial systems, as well as a strong desire to motivate others. Here are some examples of important skills for finance controllers. Listed below are some of the most critical ones: As a key link between senior management and the rest of the company, financial controllers must possess strong interpersonal and leadership skills. A finance controller also must be able to communicate effectively, as well as have excellent communication skills. They should be able to explain the numbers to people who are not financial literate. Furthermore, they should listen well and build strong relationships with their staff. Keeping an open line of communication with colleagues and management will ensure a smooth working environment. In addition to strong communication and interpersonal skills, finance controllers must possess a strong knowledge of GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles). A background in cost, managerial, and financial accounting is also important, as controllers lead the accounting departments of various companies. Some controllers may even need specialized expertise to be able to handle certain types of audits and financial reporting. If youҲe considering a career in this challenging position, make sure that youҲe committed to continuing your education. As a finance controller, youҬl be a liaison between the executive team, the CFO, and the accounting department. Your job will require you to oversee and implement processes, as well as to answer challenging accounting questions. The position requires you to be a good communicator and an excellent problem-solver. Moreover, the controller should be capable of managing compliance, internal controls, and financial reporting. Finally, your job will require you to interact with all stakeholders within and outside of the company. Strategic planning The role of the finance controller is evolving. From just delivering information and interpreting it, the role has increasingly become a part of decision-making activities. The controller is shifting from a role that focuses on financial accounting to one that emphasizes strategic thinking and higher-value-added activities. The IMAҳ recent study highlights an increased demand for finance controllers with strategic skills. In this article, we will explore the changing role of the finance controller and explore its key aspects. First, the controller must learn to translate financial information and make it digestible for the rest of the organization. As such, he should understand the entire value chain of the business and its customers. His or her role also needs to extend to other responsibilities, such as starting an innovation initiative. Once he or she is in charge of these tasks, the controller can measure his or her success in a standardized way. Further, the finance controller must educate other staff members about strategic planning and the benefits it brings to the company. Increasingly, the role of the finance controller must be flexible. The role of the controller should include a variety of other functions, such as risk management, as this increasingly occupies more space in the modern business world. The controller should be able to provide operational data to the CFO and senior management, and should also be able to drill down into customer detail. However, the controller should focus on identifying key areas that add value to the company and develop innovative strategies to support them. Finally, the planning process should be well-defined and should involve the full range of stakeholders. Ultimately, strategic planning should include key stakeholders and a cross-functional team. It is important to include board members, critical functions, and leadership members. The goal of the planning process is to make the business better than before. If the goal is to increase revenue by 10% annually, then the strategy can involve cutting costs or launching new products. In addition to setting goals, the planning process should also identify potential pitfalls to avoid and create a clear path to achieve them. Communication skills As the key link between senior management and the financial department, the finance controller must possess exceptional communication skills. This person must be able to explain complex financial data to nonfinance savvy colleagues. He or she must also have a high level of interpersonal flair and charisma, as this is important to establish and maintain relationships with the businessҳ top management. The controller is involved in all aspects of a companyҳ financial process, and they may do a large portion of day-to-day accounting, especially in larger organizations. Although the lines of separation between accountants and controllers may be clear, the role of finance controller requires the same level of leadership skills. A controllerҳ job is to ensure that the accounting and finance department operates smoothly. The person must be able to conduct superior research, make recommendations, and cut costs where necessary. These qualities are necessary in the position of finance controller, and they are essential to the success of any organization. These qualities should be incorporated into a candidateҳ resume in order to increase the chance of getting an interview. In addition, the controller must be clinical in their work. This demonstrates the individualҳ skills in financial prudence, which is a sign of an expert manager. Effective communication skills are crucial in every role, and a finance controllerҳ position is no exception. Effective communication is critical to building a positive working environment, as well as convincing employers and co-workers. In addition to effective communication, financial controllers must also be good at developing team spirit and relating ideas to their employers. This isnҴ always easy, but it can make all the difference. It takes dedication, practice, and commitment to improve these skills, and a commitment to continual improvement. Experience Most finance controllers hold high-level leadership positions, overseeing the organizationҳ financial operations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates an 17% growth rate for these positions over the next decade. Those with extensive accounting experience and advanced degrees usually qualify for these positions. Bachelorҳ degrees typically take four years to complete, with some post-graduate studies. Experience in accounting and finance is essential, though, as controller jobs typically require at least eight years of experience. A financial controllerҳ job description should include the full range of the positionҳ responsibilities. The description should describe the company culture, including working hours and whether or not remote working is allowed. The job requires a balance of technical and soft skills. It requires excellent communication and leadership skills, as well as a strong business partnering approach. Experience in management and strategy is advantageous, as these skills are invaluable in a career as a finance controller. As a financial controller, youҬl need to be able to manage a large team of experts. YouҬl need to inspire your team, and ensure that all of their actions are in alignment with the organizationҳ overall financial direction. As a leader, you cannot do everything yourself; youҬl need to invest in hiring and training a talented team of experts. This will result in increased internal efficiencies and widespread benefits to the company. You donҴ need to be a CPA or hold a degree in public accounting in order to become a finance controller. Many employers prefer applicants with some public accounting experience. You can also get valuable managerial experience by gaining a position as a treasurer in a company. This role entails additional responsibilities and is a common choice for an experienced finance controller. The average salary for this role is $80,280 as of September 2021. The post3 Essential Skills For a Finance Controller appeared first onSMB Place.