An assistant controller plays a critical role in supporting the financial leadership of an organisation, typically reporting to the financial controller or finance manager. Across credible sources, the role consistently centres on financial reporting, accounting operations, internal controls and compliance, with a strong emphasis on accuracy and analytical skills in South African and global contexts.
According to a job profile from Glassdoor, assistant controllers help maintain general ledger systems, assist in preparing financial statements and ensure that accounting records are accurate and compliant with relevant standards, while also supervising other accounting staff and contributing to process improvements in the finance function (Glassdoor – Assistant Controller job overview).
Similarly, a detailed job description template from Workable notes that assistant controllers typically support the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements, assist with budgeting and forecasting processes, handle reconciliations and journal entries, and help ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations (Workable – Assistant Controller job description template). This template also highlights the importance of coordinating audits, maintaining internal controls, and overseeing accounts payable and receivable activities as part of the core responsibilities.
The Indeed Career Guide describes the assistant controller role as a mid‑senior level accounting position that often includes managing day‑to‑day accounting operations, preparing management reports, reviewing ledger entries, and assisting with regulatory filings, while also providing support in developing and enforcing financial policies and procedures (Indeed – What does an assistant controller do?). In line with this, a sample posting on LinkedIn Jobs for an Assistant Financial Controller in South Africa lists tasks such as managing month‑end close processes, preparing financial reports for management, ensuring compliance with IFRS, and supporting budget and forecasting cycles (LinkedIn Jobs – Assistant Financial Controller job listing).
From a competency perspective, Robert Half outlines that employers typically seek assistant controllers with strong technical accounting knowledge, proficiency in accounting software and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, excellent analytical and communication skills, and the ability to lead and develop small finance teams (Robert Half – Assistant Controller job description). Their guidance also indicates that most roles require at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance and several years of progressive accounting experience, often with exposure to audits and financial reporting.
Compensation benchmarks and market positioning provided by Payscale show that assistant controllers are usually positioned just below the controller in the finance hierarchy and are compensated accordingly, reflecting their responsibility for complex financial reporting, oversight of accounting operations, and involvement in strategic financial planning (Payscale – Assistant Controller salary and role overview). This positioning, combined with the job scope highlighted across these sources, underscores that the assistant controller role is typically viewed as a stepping stone towards becoming a full financial controller or finance director.
Overall, the assistant controller job description, as reflected by these sources, centres on:
– Supporting accurate and timely financial reporting and month‑end close activities (Workable – Assistant Controller job description template; Glassdoor – Assistant Controller job overview).
– Overseeing day‑to‑day accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable and accounts receivable processes (Indeed – What does an assistant controller do?).
– Maintaining and improving internal controls and supporting external and internal audits (Workable – Assistant Controller job description template).
– Assisting in budgeting, forecasting and management reporting to support decision‑making (LinkedIn Jobs – Assistant Financial Controller job listing).
– Bringing strong accounting qualifications, several years of experience and leadership potential to the finance team (Robert Half – Assistant Controller job description; Payscale – Assistant Controller salary and role overview).
These converging descriptions from multiple credible sources provide a consistent, factual picture of the modern assistant controller job description for organisations seeking to define or advertise the role.