---
title: The functions of the financial controller
description: The financial controller is the professional responsible for the company’s financial control. Thus providing a bridge between management and accounting.
image: https://www.captio.com/hs-fs/hub/260057/file-1641048772.jpg
---

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[Captio](https://www.captio.com/blog/author/captio) 12 de February, 2016

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### The financial controller is the professional responsible for [the company’s financial control](https://www.captio.com/blog/main-objectives-for-financial-control), his/her position in the company being linked to control and supervision and thus providing a bridge between management and accounting. This post’s functions vary significantly depending on whether the company is a single company or a subsidiary or whether it is a parent organization of a company of a certain size.

### The financial controller of a medium-sized company or subsidiary

In a **company of these characteristics**, the **financial controller’s functions are basically operational**, the main and most common being:

- **![The functions of the financial controller](https://www.captio.com/hs-fs/hub/260057/file-1641048772.jpg?width=401&name=file-1641048772.jpg "The functions of the financial controller")Contribution at a basic level to the supervision of the preparation of the annual accounts **of the company.
- **Guaranteeing compliance **with both accounting and tax obligations.
- **Verification of compliance with tax objectives **and the organization's standards and procedures.
- **Detection of errors**, deviations and areas for improvementfrom a financial perspective.
- **Implementation of methodological and IT ****tools** to control activity.
- **Optimization**of **information**** ****systems**.
- **Treasury management **and supervision of the level of funds needed for common costs and investments.
- **Training and motivation**of the **financial**** ****and accounting teams** under his/her responsibility.
- **Sending of reports****to the Senior Management of the company**, subsidiary or, if applicable, Financial Director of the central or parent company.
- Occasionally being responsible for maintainingthe **relationship with the external auditors and responding to their demands**.

**>> Do you want to be able to design an effective financial control system for your company? Discover how do it in [this free pocket handbook](https://landing.captio.net/pocket-handbook-on-financial-control) <<**

### Functions in the central company  

The role of [financial controller](https://www.captio.com/blog/financial-control-definition-objectives-and-implementation) is **significantly modified in the case of large companies** with a parent company and various subsidiaries. In the event that this professional controls the central company, his/her role will be less operational and more focused on such issues as:

- The **supervision of the preparation of the individual and consolidated**** ****annual accounts** as well as the financial statements of the whole Group.
- Development and implementation of **internal control**.
- Definition of the**standards and procedures of the whole company**.
- Organization and analysis of the**reporting system**.
- **Coordination of the Group or organization’s transversal projects**, which may relate to strategy, IT, finance or accounting.
- **Control of the company’s overall financial objectives**: budgets, investments, funding, etc.
- **Participation in the****definition of the company’s general business plan.** 

The **job specification**** **for this post includes higher** education in Economics and/or Business Studies** or an equivalent qualification, experience in audit or a control department dealing with financial, industrial or sales management being highly desirable. These professionals almost always **finish their university education with an MBA or postgraduate degree in Financial Management**.

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