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The Strategic Controller: Adding Value to Your Organization

Your immediate takeaway • Identify the four quadrants of the controller’s role and their scope • Protect your company’s finances in changing financial climates • Be a more valued business partner in your company’s future Not only has the scope of the controller’s role evolved significantly in companies of all sizes—but the demands of the job are constantly changing. To stay effective as a controller and add greater value to the organization, you must be acutely aware of how your job functions are impacted by today’s increasing expectations. That means taking a closer look at the four hats every controller must wear: number cruncher; custodian; analyst; business partner. This course will help both new and experienced controllers in small, medium, and large organizations recognize these changes in scope. You’ll discover how to improve your effectiveness in the four key areas, or quadrants. As you go through the course, you will also experience a detailed case study in which you’ll work through real-life scenarios that explore the responsibilities of each quadrant. In addition, get the specific tools, knowledge, and hands-on experience you need in order to confidently perform your job in increasingly challenging circumstances.

Seminar Number: 01206

4.8
(120 reviews)
  • Live Online
  • At Your Company Location

Course Scheduling & Pricing

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About This Course

The controller role has expanded far beyond traditional financial oversight, to contributing to strategic business decisions. This controller training explores the four quadrants of the modern controller: number cruncher, custodian, analyst and business partner. Through case studies and guided exercises, participants strengthen the tools and judgment needed to operate effectively across each area. New and experienced controllers gain the ability to adapt to evolving expectations, safeguard financial performance in changing conditions and become a more strategic partner in shaping the company’s future.

Read the FAQs

Who Should Attend

Corporate controllers, division and plant controllers, and assistant controllers who want to add value to their organization and careers by increasing their effectiveness in the four quadrants of the controller’s job.

Note: Please bring a calculator with you to class.

  •   Live Online3 Day(s)
    24.8 CCM, 1.8 CEU, 18 CLP, 21 CPE, 24.8 CTP, 24.8 FP&A, 18 PMU
 
 

Your immediate takeaway

• Identify the four quadrants of the controller’s role and their scope
• Protect your company’s finances in changing financial climates
• Be a more valued business partner in your company’s future

Not only has the scope of the controller’s role evolved significantly in companies of all sizes—but the demands of the job are constantly changing. To stay effective as a controller and add greater value to the organization, you must be acutely aware of how your job functions are impacted by today’s increasing expectations. That means taking a closer look at the four hats every controller must wear: number cruncher; custodian; analyst; business partner.

This course will help both new and experienced controllers in small, medium, and large organizations recognize these changes in scope. You’ll discover how to improve your effectiveness in the four key areas, or quadrants. As you go through the course, you will also experience a detailed case study in which you’ll work through real-life scenarios that explore the responsibilities of each quadrant. In addition, get the specific tools, knowledge, and hands-on experience you need in order to confidently perform your job in increasingly challenging circumstances.

  • Define the scope and identify the four quadrants of the controller’s job in today’s business environment 
  • Controller as number cruncher: Ensure the timeliness and accuracy of financial statements 
  • Controller as custodian: Establish enterprise-wide controls to safeguard corporate assets and ensure compliance 
  • Controller as analyst: Define budgetary metrics and parameters to evaluate the financial health of the company 
  • Controller as business partner: Further the financial goals of the organization 
  • Align and apply the functions of the four quadrants of the controller role to a case study

The Four Quadrants of the Controller’s Job in Today’s Business Environment 

  • Knowing how a controller fits into a business 
  • Understanding the controller’s role in management 
  • Recognizing goals a corporation must achieve to succeed 
  • Exploring high-level controller functions, role quadrants, and organizational relationships 
  • Meeting staffing needs and competency levels 
  • Identifying basic areas of a controller’s responsibilities

Quadrant 1: Number Cruncher — Ensuring the Timeliness and Accuracy of Financial Statements 

  • Assembling a comprehensive chart of accounts 
  • Identifying areas of input for financial statements 
  • Recognizing the importance of developing internal controls over financial reporting 
  • Utilizing analytical tools to verify and reconcile account balances 
  • Using standardized entries for preparing timely financial reports

Quadrant 2: Custodian — Establishing Enterprise-Wide Controls to Safeguard Corporate Assets and Ensure Compliance 

  • Developing an internal control checklist related to enterprise-wide risk management 
  • Establishing effective controls safeguarding corporate assets 
  • Identifying compliance requirements for timely submission 
  • Recognizing strengths and weaknesses within the control environment

Quadrant 3: Analyst — Defining Budgetary Metrics and Parameters to Evaluate Financial Health 

  • Checking financial statements for reasonableness 
  • Delineating the informational needs of the users of external financial information 
  • Identifying the content of and comparing types of budgets 
  • Differentiating between levels of internal reporting needs 
  • Identifying measurable units for products, product lines, departments, sectors, and regions 
  • Understanding variance analyses for identified measurable units 
  • Predicting future activity or budgets using cost-volume profit analysis

Quadrant 4: Business Partner — Furthering the Financial Goals of the Organization 

  • Aligning and evaluating an organization’s value proposition, goals, and objectives 
  • Recognizing activities that add value to the organization 
  • Identifying and evaluating nonfinancial areas for cost control measures 
  • Communicating with and building alliances with business partners 
  • Applying the functions of the four quadrants to a case study

Introduction

  • Describe How a Controller Fits into a Business
  • Recognize Goals and Objectives for a Corporation to Succeed
  • Align High-Level Controller Functions, Roles, and Organizational Relationships
  • Define Staffing Needs and Competency Levels
  • Explain the Controller’s Role in Management • Identify the Controller’s Basic Areas of Responsibility

Number Cruncher

  • Assemble a Comprehensive Chart of Accounts
  • Identify Areas of Input for Financial Statements
  • Recognize the Importance of Developing Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
  • Utilize Analytical Tools to Verify and Reconcile Account Balances
  • Describe How Using Standardized Entries Is a Best Practice for Preparing Timely Financial Reports

Custodian

  • Develop an Internal Control Checklist Related to Enterprise-Wide Risk Management
  • Establish Effective Controls to Safeguard Corporate Assets
  • Identify Compliance Requirements for Timely Submission
  • Recognize Strengths and Weaknesses Within the Control Environment

Analyst

  • Check Financial Statements for Reasonableness
  • Delineate the Informational Needs of the Users of External Financial Information
  • Identify the Content of and Compare Types of Budgets
  • Recognize and Differentiate Between Levels of Internal Reporting Needs
  • Identify Measurable Units for Products, Product Lines, Departments, Sectors, and Regions
  • Discuss Variance Analyses of Identified Measurable Units
  • Predict Future Activity or Budgets Using Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis

Business Partner

  • Align and Evaluate an Organization’s Value Proposition, Goals, and Objectives from Its Mission Statement
  • Recognize Activities That Add Value to the Organization
  • Identify and Evaluate Nonfinancial Areas for Cost-Control Measures
  • Communicate and Build Alliances with Business Partners

Putting It All Together

  • Align and Apply the Functions of the Four Roles of the Controller

Download Extended Seminar Outline PDF

View a Sample of Our Reviews

4.8

120 reviews

 
Great Class, Great Instructor.This class has given me the tools and knowledge to work more efficiently and I believe will improve my company's bottom line. I also enjoyed not only the course material, but our classroom conversations regarding real issues and challenges many of us face in our daily work.
5
Jim K.
 
Controller
 
Industry: Manufacturing
Very good course for new controllers looking for an insight on what the job role entails. The instructor was through and stayed on track to achieve the learning objectives.
4
Bernadette M.
 
Supervisor Financial Reporting
 
Industry: Energy, Utilities & Waste
Very engaging instructor! This class was informative and relevant to my career, and there were multiple valuable takeaways. I highly recommend this course.
5
Nicole K.
 
Controller
 
Industry: Business Services
The instructor kept the course very engaging and was very knowledgeable about the material. Our class was small which made it very nice.
5
Heidi K.
 
Controller
 
Industry: Manufacturing
The trainer has complete understanding of the topics presented and discussed along the course, plus the profesional experience needed to lead assertively the class. Responsible, friendly and professional.
5
Alfredo O.
 
Financial Controller
 
Industry: Business Services

This course is valid for 18 PMUs.

Approved for up to 24.8 FP&A recertification credits by the Association for Financial Professionals at the rate of one credit for each 50 minutes of attendance.

American Management Association is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is accredited to issue the IACET CEU.

Approved for up to 24.8 CTP recertification credits by the Association for Financial Professionals at the rate of one credit for each 50 minutes of attendance.

 

American Management Association is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org. For additional information or for more information regarding administrative policies such as complaints and refunds, please contact Customer Service at 800-262-9699.

Recommended CPE Credit: 21 hours/Intermediate
Prerequisites: Three to five years' experience in corporate finance.
Advance Preparation: None
Instructional Method: Group Live/Group Internet Based
Field of Study: Technical – Accounting, Non-Technical- Business Management and Organization

Live Online Schedule

3 Sessions Available

Frequently Asked Questions

What skills does a strategic controller need to succeed today?

Today’s finance leaders must combine technical expertise with strategic thinking. A successful strategic controller needs strong financial analysis skills, business acumen, leadership capabilities, and the ability to communicate financial insights that support better organizational decision making.

How can controllers become more strategic business partners in their organizations?

Today’s finance leaders are expected to go beyond reporting and contribute to strategic decision making. This course helps professionals develop the mindset and skills of a strategic controller, enabling them to provide financial insights, guide business strategy and add greater value to their organizations.

What will I learn in this controller training course?

This controller training program focuses on the key responsibilities of modern financial controllers. Participants learn how to strengthen financial oversight, support strategic planning, improve performance analysis and contribute more effectively to organizational decision making.

Is this course designed specifically for corporate and plant controllers?

Yes. This program is designed for new and experienced corporate controllers, division controllers and plant controllers in companies of all sizes who want to expand their impact within their organizations. It helps controllers strengthen leadership capabilities while enhancing their ability to influence business strategy.

How does this course help controllers add strategic value to their organization?

Participants learn how to apply the principles of a strategic controller by improving financial analysis, strengthening business partnerships and supporting better decisionmaking across the organization. The course focuses on practical skills that help controllers move from reporting results to helping shape them.

Is this program appropriate for professionals seeking accounting controller training?

Yes. This course provides valuable accounting controller training for finance professionals responsible for financial oversight, reporting and strategic planning. It helps controllers strengthen both their financial expertise and their leadership impact.

Who should attend this controller course?

This program is designed for corporate controllers, division controllers, plant controllers and assistant controllers who want to increase their effectiveness and expand their role as a strategic controller within their organization.
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