Controller vs. Comptroller
The controller and comptroller titles refer to the same position, which is the person responsible for all accounting operations of a business. The controller title is more frequently found in for-profit businesses, while the comptroller title is more commonly found in governmental and non-profit organizations.
Key Differences
While comptrollers are more heavily involved in the organization’s internal costs and profits, controllers are more focused on the costs and profits associated with the final stage of the company’s rendered product or service.
Comptrollers generally have a higher ranking in the financial industry than controllers with a higher salary potential.
The words ‘comptroller’ and ‘controller’ are closely related to each other in the field of finance, and refer to finance personnel who conduct activities similar to one another.
Controllers are typically hired to work for private or non-profit businesses, whereas comptrollers are almost always employed within government organizations at the local, state, regional, or federal level.
Comptrollers perform very similar tasks to a controller. A comptroller, however, may hold a higher ranking position in the organization and holds a higher level of responsibility.
Samantha Walker
Dec 24, 2015
A controller is an accountant who manages the finances of a private or publicly traded company, and a comptroller is a person who performs these same functions for a governmental entity.
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The major difference lies in the type of organization each one performs. A comptroller usually works for a government organization, whereas a controller will usually work in a private business.
Harlon Moss
Dec 24, 2015
Controllers look at financial facts and figures after production or completion of services rendered; their main concern is the final bottom line. Comptrollers are different. They need to stay abreast of budgeting and staying within projected figures throughout every stage of business in order to keep constituents happy.
Aimie Carlson
Dec 24, 2015
Controller and Comptroller Definitions
Controller
One that controls
A controller, not an observer of events.
Comptroller
An officer who audits accounts and supervises the financial affairs of a corporation or of a governmental body. Also called controller.
Controller
See comptroller.
Comptroller
The chief accountant of a company or government.
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Controller
A mechanism or device that controls something, as in a vehicle or video game.
Comptroller
Someone who maintains and audits business accounts
Controller
One who controls something.
Controller
(electronics) Any electric or mechanical device for controlling a circuit or system.
Controller
(business) The chief accounting officer which audits, and manages the financial affairs of a company or government; a comptroller.
Controller
(computer hardware) A mechanism that controls or regulates the operation of a machine, especially a peripheral device in a computer.
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Controller
(video games) A hardware device designed to allow the user to play video games.
Controller
(nautical) An iron block, usually bolted to a ship's deck, for controlling the running out of a chain cable. The links of the cable tend to drop into hollows in the block, and thus hold fast until disengaged.
Controller
(espionage) The person who supervises and handles communication with an agent in the field.
Controller
(linguistics) The subject of a control verb. See Control (linguistics)
Controller
(software architecture) In software applications using the model-view-controller design pattern, the part or parts of the application that treat input and output, forming an interface between models and views.
Controller
One who, or that which, controls or restraines; one who has power or authority to regulate or control; one who governs.
The great controller of our fateDeigned to be man, and lived in low estate.
Controller
An officer appointed to keep a counter register of accounts, or to examine, rectify, or verify accounts.
Controller
An iron block, usually bolted to a ship's deck, for controlling the running out of a chain cable. The links of the cable tend to drop into hollows in the block, and thus hold fast until disengaged.
Controller
Any electric device for controlling a circuit or system;
Controller
A lever controlling the speed of an engine; - applied esp. to the lever governing a throttle valve, as of a steam or gasoline engine, esp. on an automobile.
Controller
Someone who maintains and audits business accounts
Controller
A person who directs and restrains
Controller
A mechanism that controls the operation of a machine;
The speed control on his turntable was not working properly
I turned the controls over to her
What is Controller?
A controller is a person that is at the highest accounting level in an organization. In other words, he/she is the head of the financial division of a company. Controllers are responsible for the financial accounting reporting, analysis and interpretation to the executive management team. They also administer the internal controls within an organization
What is Comptroller?
A comptroller definition is a senior accountant in a government organization; however, the duties of a comptroller and controller do not differ. Comptrollers are responsible for the financial accounting reporting, analysis and interpretation to the executive management team
