Controller Resume examples & templates

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Copyable Controller Resume examples

Ever wondered who's really steering the financial ship at successful companies? Meet the Controller—the financial captain who does far more than just balance the books. As the guardian of an organization's financial health, Controllers blend accounting expertise with strategic insight, turning complex financial data into business intelligence that drives critical decisions. In today's business landscape, the Controller role has evolved dramatically from its traditional accounting roots, with 73% of CFOs reporting that they now rely on Controllers to provide strategic analysis rather than just financial reporting.

The modern Controller juggles compliance demands with forward-looking financial planning, often serving as the right hand to the CFO while managing accounting teams and technology implementations. With increased automation handling routine tasks, Controllers now spend more time as business partners—interpreting data trends, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and helping shape company strategy. Looking ahead, Controllers who combine deep accounting knowledge with business intelligence skills and technological fluency will find themselves perfectly positioned for the C-suite opportunities emerging in our data-driven business world.

Junior Controller Resume Example

MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ

Chicago, IL 60614 • (312) 555-8976 • m.rodriguez@email.com • linkedin.com/in/michaelrodriguez

Detail-oriented accounting professional with 1+ year experience as Assistant Controller. Skilled in month-end closings, financial analysis, and process improvement. Recently completed CPA exams and eager to leverage strong Excel modeling skills to drive financial decision-making. Quick learner who thrives in fast-paced environments where accuracy is crucial.

EXPERIENCE

Assistant Controller – Brightway Solutions, Chicago, IL (July 2023 – Present)

  • Manage monthly close process for 2 business units with $4.3M in annual revenue, reducing closing time from 14 to 9 days
  • Prepare and analyze financial statements, identifying a $78K inventory discrepancy that was subsequently corrected
  • Assist with annual budget preparation and quarterly forecasting, developing Excel models that streamlined the process
  • Coordinate with external auditors during year-end audit, preparing requested documentation ahead of deadlines
  • Support CFO with ad-hoc financial analysis for key business decisions and special projects

Staff Accountant – Parkside Industries, Chicago, IL (May 2022 – June 2023)

  • Performed bank reconciliations and managed A/P and A/R functions for manufacturing business
  • Prepared journal entries and account analyses for month-end close, with 99.7% accuracy rate
  • Helped implement new AP processing system that cut invoice processing time by 37%
  • Assisted with payroll processing for 120+ employees, ensuring accurate and timely payments

Accounting Intern – Harris & Associates, Chicago, IL (January 2022 – April 2022)

  • Supported tax preparation for 30+ small business clients during busy season
  • Organized client documents and prepared workpapers for review by senior accountants
  • Created Excel templates for recurring tax calculations, saving ~4 hours per week

EDUCATION

Master of Accounting – DePaul University, Chicago, IL (2022)

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration – University of Illinois, Chicago, IL (2021)

Concentration in Accounting, GPA: 3.8/4.0

CERTIFICATIONS & TECHNICAL SKILLS

CPA Exam – Passed all sections, license pending (2023)

Technical Skills:

  • Advanced Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros)
  • QuickBooks and NetSuite
  • Sage Intacct
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Basic SQL queries
  • Data visualization (Tableau basics)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Member, Illinois CPA Society (2022 – Present)
Volunteer, Junior Achievement Financial Literacy Program (2021 – Present)
Languages: English (Native), Spanish (Conversational)

Mid-level Controller Resume Example

Michael P. Rendon

Boston, MA • (617) 555-8942 • michael.rendon@email.com • linkedin.com/in/michaelprendon

Detail-oriented Controller with 6+ years of progressive accounting experience. Excel at streamlining financial processes while maintaining strict compliance standards. Proven track record of reducing month-end close by 37% and implementing cost-saving measures that cut overhead by $218K annually. Skilled team leader who builds collaborative environments that balance accuracy with efficiency.

EXPERIENCE

Controller | Nexus Biomedical Solutions, Boston, MA | October 2020 – Present

  • Oversee all financial operations for mid-sized biotech firm with $38M annual revenue, managing team of 6 accounting professionals
  • Reduced month-end close process from 11 days to 7 days through implementation of automated reconciliation procedures and standardized reporting templates
  • Collaborated with IT to implement NetSuite ERP system, resulting in 23% improvement in financial reporting accuracy and eliminating 15+ hours of manual work weekly
  • Lead annual audit process with external partners, achieving clean opinions for 3 consecutive years
  • Developed cash flow forecasting model that improved working capital management by $1.2M

Assistant Controller | Vertex Manufacturing, Cambridge, MA | May 2018 – September 2020

  • Managed accounts payable/receivable functions and supervised team of 3 staff accountants
  • Spearheaded transition from QuickBooks to Sage Intacct, creating customized reports that reduced weekly reporting time by 9 hours
  • Identified tax overpayment of $87,432 through detailed analysis of historical records
  • Improved collections process that reduced DSO from 48 to 37 days (I’m pretty proud of this one!)

Senior Accountant | TerraForm Consulting Group | January 2017 – April 2018

  • Prepared monthly financial statements and performed account reconciliations for engineering consulting firm with $12M in revenue
  • Managed fixed asset accounting and depreciation schedules across 3 office locations
  • Assisted in budget preparation and variance analysis for 7 department managers

EDUCATION

Master of Science in Accounting | Northeastern University | 2016

Bachelor of Science in Finance | University of Massachusetts Boston | 2014

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | Massachusetts | License #MA-78435

Certified Management Accountant (CMA) | 2019

SKILLS

  • Financial Reporting & Analysis
  • Month-End Close Process
  • GAAP Compliance
  • ERP Systems (NetSuite, Sage Intacct)
  • Budget Development & Forecasting
  • Audit Preparation
  • Tax Compliance
  • Team Leadership
  • Advanced Excel (vlookups, pivot tables, macros)
  • Cash Flow Management

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • NetSuite ERP
  • Sage Intacct
  • QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Tableau
  • ADP Payroll

Senior / Experienced Controller Resume Example

MICHAEL D. HARRISON

Atlanta, GA • (404) 555-8217 • mharrison@emailpro.com • linkedin.com/in/michaeldharrison

Financial leader with 12+ years of progressive accounting experience including 8+ years in controller roles. Track record of streamlining financial operations, implementing robust controls, and supporting strategic decision-making. Known for translating complex financial data into actionable insights for executive teams while maintaining regulatory compliance. CPA with strong technical accounting knowledge and ERP implementation expertise.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CONTROLLER
Vertex Manufacturing Solutions, Inc. • Atlanta, GA • January 2019 – Present

  • Direct all accounting operations for mid-sized manufacturer ($87M annual revenue) including month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, and cash flow management
  • Led company-wide ERP migration from legacy system to NetSuite, completing implementation 3 weeks ahead of schedule and $42K under budget
  • Reduced month-end close cycle from 12 days to 5 days by redesigning processes and implementing automation tools
  • Established new revenue recognition procedures for complex contracts, ensuring compliance with ASC 606 standards
  • Manage team of 7 accounting professionals; implemented cross-training program that improved department efficiency by 23%
  • Partnered with operations team to develop KPI dashboard that improved production cost visibility, contributing to 8.7% gross margin improvement

ASSISTANT CONTROLLER
Meridian Healthcare Systems • Alpharetta, GA • March 2015 – December 2018

  • Oversaw GL accounting, A/P, A/R, and payroll functions for multi-location healthcare provider with $142M annual revenue
  • Collaborated with CFO to develop annual operating budget and quarterly forecasts; variance analysis consistently within 3% of projections
  • Spearheaded cost allocation system redesign that improved departmental P&L reporting accuracy by 17%
  • Managed banking relationships and negotiated $5.2M line of credit renewal at favorable terms
  • Supervised team of 5 accountants; implemented performance review program that reduced turnover from 22% to 8%

SENIOR FINANCIAL ANALYST
CrestPoint Global • Marietta, GA • June 2011 – February 2015

  • Performed financial modeling and analysis supporting $78M acquisition of regional competitor
  • Created monthly financial reports for executive leadership team, highlighting key performance metrics
  • Developed cash flow forecasting model that improved working capital management, freeing up $1.2M in cash reserves
  • Coordinated with external auditors during annual reviews; reduced audit adjustments by 64% through improved documentation

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

Master of Accounting – Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA (2011)
Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance – University of Georgia, Athens, GA (2009)

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – Georgia, License #GA29871
Certified Management Accountant (CMA) – 2016

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • ERP Systems: NetSuite, Oracle Financials, Microsoft Dynamics
  • Financial Reporting: Hyperion, Adaptive Insights, Power BI
  • Advanced Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros)
  • Tax Preparation & Compliance (Corporate & Partnership returns)
  • General Ledger Maintenance & Reconciliation
  • SOX Compliance & Internal Controls
  • Cash Flow Forecasting & Treasury Management
  • Budgeting & Financial Modeling
  • Cost Accounting & Variance Analysis

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
Georgia Society of CPAs
Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)

How to Write a Controller Resume

Introduction

Landing a Controller position isn't just about having the right financial skills—it's about presenting them effectively on paper. Your resume needs to showcase your financial stewardship, analytical abilities, and leadership qualities in a format that catches the eye of hiring managers (who typically spend less than 30 seconds scanning each resume). I've helped dozens of financial professionals land Controller roles, and I'm going to share what actually works in today's competitive job market.

Resume Structure and Format

The structure of your Controller resume matters almost as much as the content. Financial executives expect precision and organization.

  • Stick to 1-2 pages (2 pages is fine for those with 7+ years of experience)
  • Use a clean, professional font like Calibri or Arial at 10-12pt
  • Include clear section headings with a touch more spacing above than below
  • Maintain consistent alignment throughout (left-aligned usually works best)
  • Use bullet points rather than paragraphs for experience descriptions
  • Save as a PDF to preserve formatting (unless specifically asked for Word)
Pro tip: Many accounting and finance departments still print resumes for review meetings. Make sure your resume looks just as good in black and white as it does in color, and avoid ultra-thin fonts that might not print clearly.

Profile/Summary Section

Start with a punchy 3-4 line summary that captures your financial management expertise. For Controllers, focus on your scope of responsibility (team size, budget managed), technical expertise, and notable achievements. Mention your CPA or other key certifications right away.

Example: "Detail-oriented Controller with 8+ years managing full accounting operations for manufacturing companies with revenues up to $87M. CPA with hands-on expertise in ERP implementations and financial reporting. Reduced month-end close from 12 to 5 days while improving accuracy by 18%."

Professional Experience

This is where you'll win or lose the interview opportunity. For each position:

  • Begin with company name, location, your title, and dates (month/year format)
  • Add a brief line about the company if it's not well-known (size, industry, etc.)
  • List 4-6 bullet points per role, with your most recent position getting the most detail
  • Start each bullet with a strong action verb (managed, developed, implemented)
  • Include specific metrics whenever possible ($, %, time saved)
  • Focus on achievements rather than just responsibilities

Education and Certifications

List your degrees in reverse chronological order. For Controller roles, your CPA is gold—make it stand out! Other valuable certifications include CMA, CIA, CGMA, or MBA. Include graduation years unless you graduated more than 15 years ago (helps avoid age discrimination). For continuing education, list only the most relevant or recent courses.

Keywords and ATS Tips

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to screen resumes before a human sees them. To pass this digital gatekeeper:

  • Mirror language from the job posting (if they say "financial statements," don't say "financial reports")
  • Include technical skills like "SAP," "Oracle," "NetSuite," or other relevant ERP systems
  • Mention specific accounting functions: "month-end close," "cash flow forecasting," "audit preparation"
  • Don't try to game the system with keyword stuffing—it looks desperate when humans review it

Industry-specific Terms

Controllers need to demonstrate technical expertise. Consider including these terms naturally throughout your resume:

  • GAAP compliance
  • SOX controls
  • Financial statement preparation
  • Variance analysis
  • Cash management
  • Budget development
  • Tax compliance
  • GL reconciliations
  • Cost accounting

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using an objective statement instead of a professional summary
  • Including every job you've ever had (focus on the last 10-15 years)
  • Writing dense paragraphs that are hard to scan
  • Being vague about your achievements ("improved processes" vs. "reduced month-end close by 3 days")
  • Forgetting to proofread (financial roles demand attention to detail!)

Before/After Example

Before: "Responsible for financial reporting and month-end close."

After: "Streamlined month-end close process from 15 to 7 days by implementing new reconciliation procedures and training staff on Excel automation, freeing up 24 work hours monthly for value-added analysis."

The difference? Specific results that show not just what you did, but how well you did it. That's what gets Controller resumes noticed by hiring managers who've seen hundreds of qualified candidates.

Soft skills for your Controller resume

  • Cross-functional communication skills, especially translating financial concepts to non-finance colleagues
  • Team leadership with a coaching mindset (managed a team that reduced month-end close by 3 days)
  • Strategic problem solving, particularly when facing conflicting priorities
  • Stakeholder management – balancing needs of executives, auditors, and department heads
  • Change management during system migrations and process improvements
  • Time sensitivity without sacrificing accuracy during critical reporting periods

Hard skills for your Controller resume

  • Advanced financial statement analysis and presentation (GAAP/IFRS)
  • ERP system management (NetSuite, Oracle Financials, SAP)
  • Month-end close process optimization (5-day to 3-day close)
  • Financial modeling and forecasting using Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP)
  • Cash flow management and treasury operations
  • Hyperion Financial Management for consolidations
  • Internal controls implementation (SOX 404 compliance)
  • QuickBooks Enterprise administration
  • Data visualization with Tableau or Power BI