Occupation
Financial controller
Financial controllers run the accounting function: the close timetable, the reporting that comes out of it, the controls around it, and the team doing the work. The role is accountable for whether reported numbers are right, which makes it as much about process and people as about accounting technique.
Also known as: Controller · Head of finance · Finance manager · Group financial controller
Occupation content
Part of Finance, accounting and insurance
What the work involves
- Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close timetable and keep it on track.
- Review reconciliations, journals, and schedules prepared by the finance team.
- Produce statutory and management reporting packs and their supporting analysis.
- Maintain accounting policies and the internal controls that protect the records.
- Coordinate external audit and respond to findings and recommendations.
- Plan team resourcing, systems changes, and process improvements in finance.
How people commonly enter
- A professional accounting qualification following an accounting, finance, or business degree.
- Progression from financial accountant, management accountant, or audit roles.
- A postgraduate finance or business degree combined with accounting experience.
- A move from external audit into an in-house senior accounting role.
Typical training: Bachelor's degree
Licensing: Certification common, not usually required
Typical work context
Desk based · Team based · High responsibility · Hybrid office
Related interests
Conventional (organizing) · Enterprising (leading) · Investigative (analytical)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
- Numerical reasoning
- Management and supervisory judgment
- Critical thinking
- Planning and scheduling exercises
- Data interpretation
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Finance, accounting and insurance.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- O*NET OnLine — Treasurers and Controllers (11-3031.01) · United States
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- Canada Job Bank — Explore careers (occupation search) · Canada
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- UK National Careers Service — Explore careers · United Kingdom
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Finance, accounting and insurance in Canada, not a figure for Financial controller. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Finance, accounting and insurance family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Finance, accounting and insurance: education pathways
Some roles in Finance, accounting and insurance may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Finance, accounting and insurance: licensing
Find jobs
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
- Search Indeed · International (choose location on Indeed)