A strong controller resume is the key to securing a high-level financial management role.

Whether you're an experienced specialist or looking to step into the position, your document should highlight your expertise in budgeting, financial analysis, and compliance.

In this guide, we'll walk you through resume creating and formatting tips, essential sections, and strategies to make your application stand out to HRs.

Controller resume examples

Accounting controller resume sample

Accounting controller resume template

Accounting Controller Resume
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Resume for accounting controller | Plain text

Heidi Anderson
New York, NY | heidi.anderson@email.com | (555) 123-4567 | LinkedIn.com/in/heidianderson

Summary

Detail-oriented Accounting Controller with experience managing financial operations, compliance, and reporting. Skilled in GAAP principles, internal audits, and cost control. Proven track record of improving financial processes and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Skills

  • Financial reporting & analysis
  • GAAP & IFRS compliance
  • Internal controls & audits
  • Budgeting & forecasting
  • Cost management
  • ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite)
  • Cash flow analysis
  • Financial statement preparation
  • Risk assessment & management
  • Microsoft Excel (Advanced)

Experience

Senior Accounting Controller

Brooklyn Financial Group | Brooklyn, NY | 2018 – Present

  • Manage the preparation of financial statements, ensuring full compliance with GAAP and SEC regulations for a large financial institution, meeting all deadlines.
  • Lead internal audits and account reconciliations, identifying and reducing accounting discrepancies by 20% and enhancing financial accuracy.
  • Implemented a cost-reduction strategy that saved $500K annually, while optimizing operational processes across departments.
  • Train and supervise a team of junior accountants, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment to meet departmental goals.

Accounting Manager

Harrison & Co. Accounting | Newark, NJ | 2014 – 2018

  • Oversaw monthly financial reporting, account reconciliations, and budgeting for a $50M revenue company, ensuring all reports were accurate and timely.
  • Assisted in transitioning to a new ERP system, improving data accuracy and reducing reporting errors by 30%, significantly enhancing team productivity.
  • Led quarterly audits, ensuring full compliance with federal tax regulations, improving audit efficiency and reducing processing time.
  • Developed and presented financial forecasts that guided senior management in key strategic decisions, enhancing cost-efficiency and profitability.

Education

Bachelor’s in Accounting, New York University | New York, NY

Graduated: May 2014

Certifications

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | Issued: September 2019
  • Certified Management Accountant (CMA) | Issued: June 2017

Additional Information

Volunteer: Tax Assistance Program (TAP) | 2016 – Present

Languages

Fluent in Spanish and English

Strong sides of this controller resume example:

  • It uses a clean and organized format that allows hiring managers to quickly scan through key information.
  • Specific achievements in each entry, such as cost-saving strategies and audit improvements, demonstrate measurable success.
  • The skills listed are directly aligned with the responsibilities of an Accounting Controller, showing expertise in key areas like GAAP compliance and financial reporting.
How to properly format a resume for a controller?
  • Choose a classic font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
  • Font size should be 10-12 pt for body text and 14-16 pt for headings.
  • Keep the resume length to one page if you have under 10 years of experience, two pages if more.
  • Set margins at 1 inch on all sides for a clean look.
  • Maintain single or 1.15 line spacing to improve readability.
  • Use clear resume section headings to structure your document.
  • Save the file as a PDF to preserve the layout across devices.

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Corporate controller resume example

Sample corporate controller resume

Sarah Bennett
Chicago, IL | sarah.bennett@email.com | (312) 987-6543 | LinkedIn.com/in/sarahbennett

Summary

Strategic Corporate Controller with experience overseeing financial operations for multi-million-dollar corporations. Expertise in financial planning, risk management, and M&A. Adept at leading cross-functional teams and optimizing financial performance.

Skills

  • Financial strategy & forecasting
  • Mergers & acquisitions
  • SEC & SOX compliance
  • Risk management & mitigation
  • Financial leadership
  • SAP & Hyperion
  • Treasury management
  • Internal controls & auditing
  • Financial reporting & analysis
  • Business process improvement

Experience

Corporate Controller

Midwest Energy Solutions | Chicago, IL | 2017 – Present

  • Direct financial planning, budgeting, and analysis for a $500M corporation across multiple divisions, driving financial growth and cost reductions.
  • Lead financial due diligence for two major acquisitions, totaling $200M+, improving post-merger integration and achieving operational synergies within the first year.
  • Streamline financial reporting processes, cutting report generation time by 40%, enabling senior management to make quicker, data-driven decisions.
  • Work closely with the CFO to develop and implement financial strategies, driving consistent revenue growth of 15% annually.

Finance Director

Summit Industries | Milwaukee, WI | 2012 – 2017

  • Managed a $250M budget, optimized cost efficiencies, and implemented investment strategies that supported business expansion and growth.
  • Developed and maintained strong relationships with external auditors, ensuring smooth audit processes and regulatory compliance.
  • Led the implementation of an enterprise-wide financial system, reducing reporting errors by 30% and enhancing transparency.
  • Created advanced financial models to evaluate potential investments, contributing to a 10% return on investments and improved strategic decision-making.

Education

MBA in Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business, IL
Graduated: June 2012

Certifications

  • Certified Management Accountant (CMA) | Issued: August 2013
  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 2 Candidate | Expected: 2025

Professional Affiliations

  • Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
  • Member of the Financial Executives International (FEI)

Reasons why this example of a controller resume is great:

  • It emphasizes strategic financial leadership and business growth, which is critical for a controller role.
  • Highlighting M&A experience adds significant value for a high-level position, demonstrating knowledge of complex transactions.
  • The document focuses on substantial financial figures and cost savings, indicating the candidate’s impact at a corporate level.
Should I choose a controller resume objective or summary?

Resume summary is ideal for seasoned professionals.

Controller resume summary sample:

Detail-oriented Financial Controller with 10+ years of experience in financial analysis, risk management, and budget planning. Proven track record of optimizing financial processes and leading compliance initiatives. Seeking to drive efficiency and profitability at Brooklyn Corporation.

Resume objective is suitable for those with little experience or transitioning careers.

Controller resume objective example:

Motivated finance graduate with strong analytical skills and knowledge of GAAP principles. Eager to apply expertise in financial reporting and budgeting in a Controller role at Harrison Company.

How to showcase your controller resume skills?

The skills section quickly shows recruiters your qualifications.

  • Hard skills are acquired through education, training, and experience.
  • Soft skills are personal attributes that enhance job performance and collaboration.

Controller resume hard skills example:

  • Financial analysis
  • Budgeting and forecasting
  • Regulatory compliance
  • GAAP and IFRS knowledge
  • Risk management
  • Internal auditing
  • Cost control
  • Cash flow management
  • Tax planning
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software
  • Financial reporting
  • Variance analysis
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Data analysis
  • Investment management

Soft skills for controller resume:

  • Leadership
  • Problem-solving
  • Attention to detail
  • Communication
  • Strategic thinking
  • Teamwork
  • Time management
  • Adaptability
  • Negotiation
  • Conflict resolution
  • Work ethic
  • Analytical mindset
  • Decision-making
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Stress management

Assistant controller resume template

Assistant controller resume sample

Assistant Controller Resume
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Resume for assistant controller | Text version

Michael Carter
Atlanta, GA | michael.carter@email.com | (404) 789-1234 | LinkedIn.com/in/michaelcarter

Summary

Analytical Assistant Controller with experience in financial reporting, budgeting, and audit preparation. Skilled in improving financial processes, managing reconciliations, and supporting senior leadership in financial decision-making.

Skills

  • Financial reporting & reconciliations
  • Budgeting & variance analysis
  • Internal audits
  • GAAP & SOX compliance
  • Accounts payable/receivable
  • QuickBooks & NetSuite
  • Financial forecasting
  • Month-end closing procedures
  • Process improvement
  • Analytical problem solving

Experience

Assistant Controller

Southern Tech Solutions | Atlanta, GA | 2019 – Present

  • Assist in preparing monthly and quarterly financial statements for a $200M company, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Conduct month-end closing procedures, identifying discrepancies and resolving them, ensuring all financial records are accurate and complete.
  • Manage internal audit processes, collaborating with external auditors to streamline year-end audits and ensure timely reporting.
  • Support senior leadership in budgeting and financial forecasting, contributing to a 12% reduction in operational costs across departments.

Senior Accountant

Brightview Financial | Charlotte, NC | 2015 – 2019

  • Managed AP/AR processes, payroll, and bank reconciliations for a mid-sized firm with $50M in revenue, ensuring smooth financial operations.
  • Implemented an automated reporting system, reducing processing time by 40%, and improving reporting accuracy.
  • Conducted variance analysis and collaborated with department heads to adjust budget forecasts, ensuring financial targets were met.
  • Worked closely with the finance manager to ensure compliance with federal tax regulations and maintain financial accuracy.

Education

Bachelor’s in Finance, Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA
Graduated: May 2015

Certifications

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) (In Progress) | Expected: 2025

Volunteer Work

  • Financial Mentor at Junior Achievement | 2017 – Present
  • Treasurer, Atlanta Young Professionals Network | 2018 – Present

This sample controller resume is effective for several reasons:

  • It emphasizes hands-on financial operations, such as month-end closing and internal audit processes, demonstrating solid practical skills.
  • The inclusion of contributions to budgeting and forecasting showcases the ability to collaborate with and support senior decision-makers.
  • Emphasis on process optimization, such as implementing automated systems, highlights the candidate’s drive to enhance operational efficiency.
What academic credentials should I add to my controller resume?

Employers require financial controllers to have a strong education. This part should include:

How to organize the experience section in a controller resume?
  • List positions in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
  • Add job title, company name, location, and dates of employment.
  • Use bullet points to describe achievements, not just responsibilities.
  • Start bullets with action verbs like "led," "implemented," or "optimized".
  • Quantify results where possible (e.g., "Reduced costs by 15% through process improvements").

Conclusion

A well-structured controller resume showcases your financial expertise, leadership skills, and achievements in a way that grabs recruiters' attention.

By focusing on formatting, a compelling opening statement, relevant skills, and a results-driven experience section, you’ll maximize your chances of landing interviews.

Use professional resume templates to ensure a polished design, making your application even stronger.

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