The United States’ independent Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducts audits, assessments, and investigations on behalf of Congress. It is led by the United States Comptroller General, who is chosen by the President with the Senate’s advice and approval. A 15-year term is required to remove the Comptroller General, who can only be done so through impeachment.
Gene L. Dodaro was appointed as the current Comptroller General in 2010. Dodaro has worked at the GAO since 1973 and has held a number of positions, including Chief Operating Officer and Assistant Comptroller General. He has a wealth of expertise auditing for the government, and he has won many honors for it.
An organization’s accounting and financial reporting systems are managed by a controller, a financial executive. Although it can be beneficial for a controller, an MBA is not always required. A lot of controllers are educated in accounting, finance, or a related discipline and have worked in the industry to develop expertise.
A compensator is in charge of planning and putting into place systems that aid in the control of a process or system, whereas a controller is in charge of overseeing an organization’s financial systems. Although the information and abilities needed for these tasks may occasionally overlap, they are typically different jobs.
Depending on their level of expertise and the size of the company they work for, controllers may earn a respectable wage. The median annual salary for financial managers, which includes controllers, was $129,890 in May 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The work of controller, like many other high-level financial roles, can be stressful. The management of an organization’s financial systems, which can be difficult and complex, is under the purview of controllers. In addition, controllers may have to manage their workforce, meet deadlines, and follow regulations, all of which can increase the stress of the position. However, a lot of controllers appreciate the challenge of overseeing an organization’s finances and find the work satisfying.