Treasurers and Controllers
Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.
Also called: City Comptroller, City Controller, City Treasurer, Comptroller, Controller, Corporate Controller
Median pay
$166,570
Pay for the broader BLS group “Financial Managers”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$94,310 – $323,270
People employed
841,710
Whole BLS group
Holland code
CES
Conventional · Enterprising · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 2.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 3.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 4.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 5.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 6.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 7.Do you prefer working indoors?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Treasurers and Controllers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Financial Managers”.
What treasurers and controllers do
- 01Monitor financial activities and details, such as cash flow and reserve levels, to ensure that all legal and regulatory requirements are met.
- 02Evaluate needs for procurement of funds and investment of surpluses and make appropriate recommendations.
- 03Develop and maintain relationships with banking, insurance, and external accounting personnel to facilitate financial activities.
- 04Delegate authority for the receipt, disbursement, banking, protection, and custody of funds, securities, and financial instruments.
- 05Prepare and file annual tax returns or prepare financial information so that outside accountants can complete tax returns.
- 06Receive, record, and authorize requests for disbursements in accordance with company policies and procedures.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Economics and Accounting
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 10 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from treasurers and controllers
- Budget Analysts94% · —
- Accountants and Auditors92% · —
- Financial Examiners92% · —
- Personal Financial Advisors88% · —
- Chief Executives86% · —
Change into treasurers and controllers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Budget Analysts94% · $91,640
- Accountants and Auditors92% · $83,680
- Financial Examiners92% · $94,160
- Personal Financial Advisors85% · $105,070
- Fundraising Managers84% · $125,470
Majors that lead here
- Accounting and Computer Science
- Financial Analytics
- Risk Management
- Accounting and Finance
- Accounting and Business/Management
- Finance, General
- International Finance
- Public Finance
- Credit Management
- Financial Risk Management
- Finance and Financial Management Services, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.