Many have wondered what the difference between a "controller" and a "comptroller is. The word "comptroller" comes from the French word "compte" which refers to calculation, combined with the Middle English word "contreroller" which refers to the keeper of the scrolls. One might speculate that the word "controller" was born from the original English word, countreroller, which means one who
. specializes in checking financial ledgers. The only true distinction between a "Controller" and a "Comptroller" is the word itself; that is to say, there is no basic difference outside the actual terminology. Generally, both are senior management titles for individuals who are in charge of an organization's financial accounting.The word comptroller is frequently used for the sake of tradition and is often the term used to describe a senior accountant in a government organization. Many governments have an appointed or elected office called Comptroller General (or some variation thereof) whose responsibility it is to ensure the accountability of a level of government or to maintain various budgetary matters.The title "Comptroller" is sometimes adopted by private business though because it is received with fewer negative associations and connotations, simply because it does not contain the word "control." In most cases, however, the duties of a comptroller and controller do not normally differ much. The subtle distinctions of each position as defined in most job descriptions can usually be attributed to the specific terminology used by the individual writing the ad or the company posting it, rather than any real difference of actual duties or responsibilities in the job itself.A controller or comptroller usually has a certification in public accounting (CPA or Certified Public Accountant) and a master's degree. In business, both comptroller's and controller's have a direct and detailed interaction where budget operations are concerned. A comptroller often reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer on monthly operating expenses as to how those actual expenses compare to budgeted estimates or estimated budget costs. Controllers administer the internal controls within an organization and are responsible for financial accounting reporting, its interpretation and analysis and usually report to the executive management team.More reference links: http://www.reference.com/browse/comptroller http://www.occ.treas.gov
