A financial controller -- sometimes called a "comptroller -- is the lead accounting executive in a company.

A controllers duties can vary depending upon the size of the company, the complexity of accounting and financial operations and the number of people employed in the accounting department. The controller provides financial leadership and is instrumental in forming accounting strategies. A controller's role, especially in smaller companies, can include broad visionary responsibilities as ell as hands-on management. Accounting A financial controller is responsible for ensuring that all accounting allocations are appropriately made and documented. !n smaller companies, the controller may also perform cash management functions and oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash disbursements, payroll and ban" reconciliation functions. #very company should maintain a separation of duties ith regards to accounting functions to insure that there are chec"s and balances in the system. $or instance, if the controller is responsible for preparing cash disbursements, he should not be a signatory on the account% the o ner, chief executive or chief financial officer should be re&uired to sign all chec"s. Internal Controls A financial controller is responsible for establishing and executing internal controls over the companys accounting and financial procedures. This includes revie ing and approving all invoices to be paid, as ell as revie ing accounts receivable aging reports. !n smaller companies, the controller ill often handle collections on invoices, especially ones that are '( days to )* days overdue. A financial controller is also responsible for coordinating ith external tax accountants for income tax preparation and auditors ho prepare internal audits of the company. This includes "eeping company records organized and readily available for examination. Financial Planning and Reporting $inancial controllers in smaller companies are responsible for all ban"ing and finance activities. This includes negotiating lines of credit and vendor agreements, as ell as revie ing all financial contracts, financing agreements and insurance policies. +he is also responsible for providing accurate and comprehensive financial information to executive management for long-term financial strategizing. ,nless a company has a -$. to provide the leadership for long-term financial planning, the controller ill be re&uired to fulfill this responsibility as ell. !n any case, she must provide crucial financial data and or" ith executive management to coordinate all financial planning functions ith business operations. $inancial reporting duties include preparing financial statements, balance sheets, cash flo reports, budgets, budget-to-actuals and financial pro/ections. Financial Analysis !n addition to financial reporting, a controller must be s"illed at in-depth financial analysis and providing expert financial perspective and opinions. This means that a financial controller must be proficient in spreadsheet design that is often complex. 0hile a -$. is responsible for finalizing financial policy, a controllers financial analysis s"ills are instrumental in helping to assess ris", analyze efficiency and inform policy decisions made by executive management.
References (1) Resources (1) About the Author

1isa 2or ard as a corporate financial executive and business consultant for more than 3( years before becoming a riter in 4**5. +he has 6.A. degrees in both history and creative riting and earned her 7.$.A. in creative riting in 4**8, specializing in novel-length historical fiction.
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