Investment controllers play an important role in financial institutions by overseeing accounting and financial reporting. Their salary is closely related to years of experience, job level, company size and region. In US, an investment controller earns $117K on average, with popular employers like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo paying over $150K for this role. In UK, average salary is £65K. Junior controllers get £45K-55K while senior directors earn up to £120K. Salary is lower in Europe. With strong accounting and financial analysis skills, investment controllers have bright career prospects and high salary.
Junior investment controllers earn $117K in US, £45K-55K in UK
According to Payscale, the average total compensation for an Investment Controller in United States is $117,333 per year. For entry level roles requiring 1-4 years of experience, the salary ranges from $61K to $78K. Top paying companies like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo offer $70K-$85K for junior investment controllers. In UK, newly qualified controllers with less than 2 years of experience can expect a salary between £45,000 – £55,000. Investment banks usually pay more than asset management firms.
Senior investment controllers make $150K+ in US, up to £120K in UK
With 5-9 years of experience, investment controllers in US can earn around $130K – $150K, with top paying companies offering over $180K. According to eFinancialCareers salary survey, senior investment controllers with over 10 years of experience in UK earn between £65,000 – £120,000. Large global banks tend to pay at the higher end while smaller firms pay closer to £65k-85k. The highest salaries are found in London where some senior investment controllers make over £150,000.
Salary lower in Europe compared to US and UK
Though still lucrative, investment controller salary in Europe is generally lower compared to US and UK, especially at senior levels. Glassdoor data shows junior controllers in France earn €55K-65K. With 5+ years of experience, salary rises to €70K-90K. In Switzerland, pay starts around CHF100k-120k for entry roles, increasing to CHF140k-180k for experienced controllers. In Germany, junior salaries are around €50k while senior controllers earn up to €120k. Bonuses also tend to be lower in Europe.
Strong accounting skills and CPA drive high pay
A key reason investment controllers command high salary is due to their specialized accounting expertise and financial analysis skills. Controllers must have deep technical knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, etc. Most companies require controllers to be CPAs. Obtaining a CPA early on leads to higher compensation. Ongoing skills upgrade also boosts pay, e.g. CFA, FRM, CAIA. Switching firms and getting promotions to senior titles like AVP, VP and Director lead to large salary increases.
Top employers for investment controllers
The highest paying employers for investment controllers include major banks like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley. Other top firms are BlackRock, Vanguard, Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Northern Trust, State Street etc. Accounting firms like Deloitte, PwC and KPMG also hire controllers due to their financial reporting expertise.
In summary, investment controllers in US earn around $117K on average, with junior salaries starting from $70K and senior directors making over $150K. In UK, pay ranges from £45K-55K for entry roles to £65K-£120K for experienced controllers. Salary is lower in Europe compared to US and UK. Strong accounting expertise, CPA certification and specialized skills lead to higher compensation for investment controllers.