{"id":6533,"date":"2026-09-10T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/?p=6533"},"modified":"2026-08-31T14:17:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T21:17:13","slug":"how-to-become-a-controller","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/2026\/09\/10\/how-to-become-a-controller\/","title":{"rendered":"How to become a controller"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/controller-business-2500.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/controller-business-2500.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/controller-business-2500.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/controller-business-2500.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/controller-business-2500.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/controller-business-2500.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/controller-business-2500.jpg?resize=930%2C620&amp;ssl=1 930w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/controller-business-2500.jpg?resize=1250%2C834&amp;ssl=1 1250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/controller-business-2500.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/controller-business-2500.jpg?w=2400&amp;ssl=1 2400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are interested in accounting, finance and business leadership, becoming a controller may be a career path worth exploring. Controllers help organizations manage their financial operations, understand performance and make informed business decisions.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A controller is a senior accounting professional who oversees key financial functions such as reporting, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, compliance and audits. While the role is rooted in accounting, it also requires communication and leadership skills as well as a strong understanding of how a business operates.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dominic Marquez graduated from University of the Pacific in 2011 with a degree in business administration. He works as a&nbsp; controller at Yosemite Foods, a meat processing company in Northern California. He says people sometimes assume controllers only work behind the scenes with spreadsheets, but the role is both operational and strategic.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cA controller is responsible for making sure the financial side of the business is accurate, organized and running effectively,\u201d Marquez said. \u201cThe role &#8230; helps leadership understand how the company is performing financially.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of financial managers is projected to grow 15% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 74,600 openings for financial managers each year, on average, during that period.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For students considering careers in accounting, finance or business, the controller role can offer a path to financial leadership. It can also serve as a stepping stone to roles such as chief financial officer, especially for professionals who build experience in accounting operations, business strategy and team leadership.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a controller in a company?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A controller is responsible for overseeing the accounting operations of a company. Depending on the size and structure of the organization, that may include financial reporting, payroll, budgeting, audits, tax compliance, cash flow management, internal controls and supervising accounting or finance staff.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">O*NET OnLine, a career information database sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, describes treasurers and controllers as professionals who direct financial operations; prepare financial documents, reports and budgets; and recommend organizational process or policy changes.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In smaller organizations, a controller may serve as one of the company\u2019s top financial leaders. In larger organizations, a controller often reports to a chief financial officer, or CFO. The controller usually focuses on accounting accuracy, financial reporting and internal processes, while the CFO focuses more broadly on financial strategy, long-term planning and executive decision-making.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marquez said his experience in manufacturing and food production taught him that finance is \u201cabout much more than just numbers.\u201d Controllers in those environments need to understand operations, inventory, labor, production and how the business runs day to day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does a controller do?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The duties of a corporate controller can vary by company, but the role usually centers on making sure financial information is accurate, organized and useful.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common controller responsibilities include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Preparing financial reports\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Managing month-end and year-end close\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Monitoring budgets and forecasts\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Analyzing costs, margins and cash flow\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Supporting audits\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ensuring compliance with tax laws and financial regulations\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Creating or maintaining internal controls\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Managing accounting and finance staff\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Helping leaders understand financial performance\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marquez\u2019s responsibilities as controller include accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls and overall financial operations. He says controllers often work closely with leadership teams and department managers to help the company make informed decisions.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, if a company wants to improve margins, reduce costs, evaluate investments or prepare for growth, a controller can help leaders understand the financial picture behind those decisions.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cA strong controller helps connect financial performance to operational performance so leadership can make better long-term decisions,\u201d Marquez said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Controller vs. CFO: What is the difference?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Controllers and CFOs both work in financial leadership, but they usually focus on different parts of a company\u2019s financial strategy.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A controller typically oversees accounting operations. That may include financial reporting, payroll, budgeting, compliance, audits and internal controls. Controllers help make sure a company\u2019s financial information is accurate and that financial processes work properly.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A CFO, or chief financial officer, usually focuses on the organization\u2019s broader financial strategy. This can include long-term planning, investments, financing, risk management and executive-level decision-making.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In smaller companies, one person may handle both controller and CFO responsibilities. In larger organizations, the controller often reports to the CFO. For some professionals, becoming a controller can be an important step toward becoming a CFO later in their career.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to become a controller&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Becoming a controller usually takes a combination of education, accounting experience and leadership skills. Because controllers oversee important financial functions for a company, most professionals build toward this role over time rather than stepping into it right after college.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A common first step is earning a bachelor\u2019s degree in accounting, business administration, finance or a related field. Because the role is closely tied to financial reporting, compliance, internal controls and business operations, an accounting degree can be especially useful. Students interested in this career path should look for courses in financial accounting, managerial accounting, auditing, taxation, budgeting, business analytics and cost accounting.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After graduation, many professionals begin in entry-level accounting or finance roles, such as staff accountant, financial analyst, auditor or tax associate. These early roles help professionals learn how financial statements work, how companies prepare reports and how organizations stay compliant with financial rules and regulations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As professionals gain experience, they may move into roles such as senior accountant, accounting manager, finance manager or assistant controller. These positions can help build the communication, leadership and decision-making skills needed to manage accounting teams and advise company leaders.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marquez says students should be open to starting in foundational accounting roles because early experience helps build long-term success.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019d also encourage students to learn the operational side of the business, not just accounting theory,\u201d Marquez said. \u201cThe finance professionals who stand out are usually the ones who understand how the business actually operates.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Certifications can also help professionals advance. A certified public accountant (CPA) license is one of the most recognized credentials in accounting. Depending on their goals, professionals may also consider certifications such as certified management accountant (CMA) or certified internal auditor, (CIA).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A master\u2019s degree, such as a Master of Accounting or Master of Business Administration (MBA), may also help students deepen their technical knowledge, prepare for certification requirements or move into senior leadership. Every path looks different, but many controller roles require several years of professional experience, often around seven to 10 years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At University of the Pacific, students can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Accounting through the Eberhardt School of Business. The program helps students build a foundation in accounting, finance, economics and data analysis while preparing for careers in public accounting, corporate accounting, financial management and related fields.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While accounting is one of the most direct pathways, students interested in becoming controllers may also benefit from related fields such as data science, mathematics or economics. Controllers often work with budgets, forecasts, financial models and business data, so strong analytical skills can be valuable in the role.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What skills do controllers need?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Controllers need more than technical accounting knowledge. They also need skills related to analytical thinking, communication, leadership, problem-solving, time management and adaptability.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marquez says technical accounting knowledge is important early in a career, but communication and leadership become just as important as professionals move into management roles. Controllers often work with people outside of accounting and finance, so they need to explain financial information in a way that helps teams make decisions.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For students, the goal is not only to learn accounting theory. It is also to understand how financial information connects to the larger goals of a business.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Accounting and finance can open doors across industries because every organization needs strong financial leadership. For students who enjoy working with numbers, solving problems and understanding how businesses operate, becoming a controller can be a meaningful path into business leadership.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pacific\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacific.edu\/business\/academics\/accounting-degree-bs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">accounting degree<\/a> helps students develop the technical knowledge and professional skills needed for careers in public accounting, corporate accounting, financial management and related fields. Learn more about business and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacific.edu\/business\/academics\/business-administration-major\/finance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">finance at Pacific<\/a> through the Eberhardt School of Business.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you are interested in accounting, finance and business leadership, becoming a controller may be a career path worth exploring. Controllers help organizations manage their financial operations, understand performance and make informed business decisions.&nbsp;&nbsp; A controller is a senior accounting professional who oversees key financial functions such as reporting, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, compliance and&hellip;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/2026\/09\/10\/how-to-become-a-controller\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Read More &raquo;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">How to become a controller<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6534,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[314,330,541,134],"class_list":["post-6533","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-school","tag-accounting","tag-eberhardt-school-of-business","tag-explore-careers","tag-finance"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to become a controller - People of Pacific<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/live-peopleofpacific.pantheonsite.io\/2026\/09\/10\/how-to-become-a-controller\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to become a controller - People of Pacific\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you are interested in accounting, finance and business leadership, becoming a controller may be a career path worth exploring. Controllers help organizations manage their financial operations, understand performance and make informed business decisions.&nbsp;&nbsp; A controller is a senior accounting professional who oversees key financial functions such as reporting, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, compliance and&hellip;&nbsp;Read More &raquo;How to become a controller\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/live-peopleofpacific.pantheonsite.io\/2026\/09\/10\/how-to-become-a-controller\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"People of Pacific\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-09-10T20:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/live-peopleofpacific.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/controller-business-2500-1024x683.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"683\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Pacific Blog\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Pacific Blog\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/live-peopleofpacific.pantheonsite.io\/2026\/09\/10\/how-to-become-a-controller\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/live-peopleofpacific.pantheonsite.io\/2026\/09\/10\/how-to-become-a-controller\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Pacific Blog\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/94f9639563569c45624978a068cfc289\"},\"headline\":\"How to become a controller\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-09-10T20:00:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/live-peopleofpacific.pantheonsite.io\/2026\/09\/10\/how-to-become-a-controller\/\"},\"wordCount\":1412,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/live-peopleofpacific.pantheonsite.io\/2026\/09\/10\/how-to-become-a-controller\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacific.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/controller-business-2500.jpg?fit=2500%2C1667&ssl=1\",\"keywords\":[\"Accounting\",\"Eberhardt School of Business\",\"Explore careers\",\"Finance\"],\"articleSection\":[\"School\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/live-peopleofpacific.pantheonsite.io\/2026\/09\/10\/how-to-become-a-controller\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/live-peopleofpacific.pantheonsite.io\/2026\/09\/10\/how-to-become-a-controller\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/live-peopleofpacific.pantheonsite.io\/2026\/09\/10\/how-to-become-a-controller\/\",\"name\":\"How to become a controller - 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