Controller resume example

Controller resumes are read for leadership scope first: team size managed, entities consolidated, and whether close and controls are owned end-to-end. Name the ERP and reporting framework explicitly, then lead with how you shortened close or tightened controls under your ownership.

The strongest controller bullets combine people and process: team size, close-cycle days, and audit or SOX outcomes achieved under your leadership. This example uses a polished executive layout suited to finance-leadership hiring.

Elena Marchetti

Controller

Austin, TX elena.marchetti@email.com +1 (512) 555-0389 linkedin.com/in/elenamarchetti-controller

Summary

Corporate Controller (CPA) with 8+ years of experience directing accounting operations, financial reporting, and treasury management for mid-market manufacturing and technology companies. Proven leadership overseeing $120M in corporate budgets, compressing month-end financial close by 4 days, and maintaining flawless GAAP/SOX compliance.

Experience

Controller

Vantage Holdings Group · Austin, TX

Mar 2020 — Present

Directed corporate accounting operations, payroll, and tax compliance across 3 legal entities generating $120M in annual corporate revenue.
Accelerated the monthly financial close schedule from 9 business days to 5 business days, delivering board packages 4 days earlier.
Supervised a team of 8 accounting professionals, establishing standardized GAAP workflows and reducing staff overtime hours by 35%.

Assistant Controller

Brackenfield Consumer Products · Austin, TX

Jan 2015 — Feb 2020

Managed external annual audits with Big Four accounting firms, delivering zero audit adjustments and clean audit opinions for 4 consecutive years.
Enforced robust internal controls and cash flow forecasting models, optimizing treasury liquidity and reducing borrowing costs by $180k annually.
Implemented NetSuite ERP across multiple operating subsidiaries, completing system migration on budget within 6 months.

Skills

Multi-Entity Consolidation · Team Leadership · GAAP · SOX Readiness · NetSuite · Close Management · Financial Reporting · Internal Controls · Budget Ownership · Audit Coordination · GAAP Compliance

Education

Texas A&M University

B.B.A. in Accounting

2010 — 2014

Certifications

CPA licensed, Texas · MBA, McCombs School of Business (2019)

Controller · Executive Serif template · single-column, ATS-safe.

ATS keywords for a Controller resume

Applicant tracking systems match your resume against the job description's vocabulary. Mirror the terms below that are true of you — ideally with a metric attached.

Multi-Entity ConsolidationClose ManagementSOX ReadinessTeam LeadershipGAAPERP ImplementationFinancial ReportingBudget OwnershipCash Flow ManagementInternal ControlsAudit Coordination

What recruiters look for

Team size and org structure managed.
Number of entities or subsidiaries consolidated.
Close-cycle timeline and improvement under your ownership.
SOX readiness or controls-framework leadership.
A senior, leadership-toned layout with clear ownership language.

Before & after: one bullet

Weak

Oversaw the accounting department and financial reporting.

Strong

Led an 8-person accounting team through a 3-entity consolidation, cutting consolidated close from 14 to 7 business days.

Common mistakes to avoid

Writing 'oversaw accounting' without naming team size or entity count.
Leaving out ERP or consolidation software.
No close-cycle or controls metric tied to your tenure.
Reading like a senior accountant resume rather than a leadership one.