What Is an Interim Controller and How to Become One
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What Is an Interim Controller?
An interim controller is a financial leader who works on a temporary, contract basis when a controller goes on leave, or an organization is in the process of finding a permanent replacement. As an interim controller, your responsibilities are to oversee the institution’s finances and review financial data. Your other duties include creating reports based on your analysis and research, which you present to executives or other top-level managers. You typically report to the company’s CFO and work with compliance specialists to ensure that the business is adhering to all state and federal laws.
What Are the Requirements to Be an Interim Controller?
To be a controller, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related subject and several years of experience in accounting or a similar field. Many controllers gain experience and training by working for a large accounting firm or consulting agency. Candidates with CPA certification and an advanced degree, such as an MBA, typically qualify for more job opportunities. In addition to educational and career qualifications, you should have excellent analytical, communication, and organizational skills, along with strong mathematical ability and attention to detail. You also need an understanding of how a business or institution operates to be able to identify and report any issues that the company or organization must address.
