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2026 North Texas Salary Data
How Much Do Assistant Controllers Make in Dallas?
Assistant controllers in Dallas earn a median salary of $128,123 in 2026, with most falling between $101,482 and $154,765 depending on CPA status, team size, and organizational complexity.
Check Your SalaryDallas-Fort Worth Median
$128,123
Assistant Controller
25th Pctl$101,482
75th Pctl$154,765
PrideStaff Financial 2026 North Texas Salary Guide
Salary Breakdown
Assistant Controller Salary by Career Level
Assistant controller is the critical stepping stone between accounting management and controllership. Here's how it fits in the corporate accounting leadership path.
An assistant controller in Dallas typically earns between $101,482 and $154,765 per year. The median of $128,123 represents a meaningful step up from accounting manager at $115,429, reflecting the expanded scope from departmental accounting to enterprise-level close, reporting, and internal controls. The path to corporate controller at $199,298 is the natural next step for assistant controllers who demonstrate leadership across the full accounting function. The salary guide identifies Controllers as one of the "highest demand" roles in the current Dallas market. Companies in Irving, Richardson, and Plano are actively seeking assistant controllers to strengthen their close process and prepare for growth.
What Drives Pay
Factors That Affect Assistant Controller Salary in Dallas
Four factors determine where an assistant controller falls within the $101K to $154K range.
CPA & Professional Credentials
- CPA designation is nearly expected at the assistant controller level. The salary guide adds a 10-20% premium for CPA-required roles, and most Dallas employers consider CPA essential for controllership track positions.
- Big Four public accounting experience commands a premium, particularly in the first 5-7 years after transitioning to industry
- Assistant controllers with both CPA and MBA earn at the top of the range, combining technical accounting depth with business acumen
Team Size & Close Ownership
- Assistant controllers managing 3-5 accounting staff and owning the monthly close process earn near the median. Managing 8+ staff with full GL ownership pushes toward the 75th percentile.
- Owning the full close timeline (close-to-report in 5-7 business days or less) demonstrates the operational efficiency that employers pay a premium for
- Responsibility for both the close and financial reporting (not just GL entries) increases compensation significantly
Industry & Company Complexity
- Multi-entity organizations with consolidation requirements pay assistant controllers above the median. The more entities and intercompany eliminations, the higher the salary.
- Public companies pay more than private companies due to SEC reporting, SOX compliance, and audit support requirements
- Technology, healthcare, and financial services companies in Dallas pay at the 75th percentile due to complex revenue recognition, regulatory reporting, and rapid growth
Systems & Process Improvement
- ERP mastery (NetSuite, SAP, Oracle) is expected. Assistant controllers who have led ERP migrations or implemented close management tools (BlackLine, FloQast) earn at the top of the range.
- Experience automating manual close processes and reducing close timelines is one of the strongest differentiators. The salary guide highlights system migration and process automation as key demand drivers.
- Internal controls design and testing (SOX 404) experience is especially valuable at public companies and PE-backed firms preparing for IPO
Dallas vs. National
How Dallas Assistant Controller Pay Compares
Dallas assistant controllers earn competitive salaries with a meaningful tax advantage over most major markets.
Dallas-Fort Worth Median
$128,123
Assistant Controller
National Median (BLS)
$161,700
Financial Managers
The BLS "Financial Managers" category includes controllers, finance directors, and VPs, which pushes the national median higher. Assistant controller is a mid-tier management role within this broad category. Dallas assistant controllers are well-positioned within the controllership pipeline.
For assistant controllers, Dallas offers strong career value. Salaries are competitive with Houston and Atlanta, and Texas's no-state-income-tax benefit adds $6,000-$8,000+ annually at this salary level. The DFW metro's deep concentration of corporate headquarters (particularly in Irving and Plano) creates consistent demand for controllership-track professionals, meaning you're never far from your next opportunity.
Boost Your Earning Potential
Skills That Increase Assistant Controller Pay in Dallas
These qualifications help assistant controllers earn at the top of the Dallas market and position for corporate controller roles.
CPA
+10-20%
BlackLine / FloQast
+5-15%
SOX Compliance
+5-10%
Multi-Entity Consolidation
+5-10%
ERP Implementation
+5-15%
Big Four Background
+5-10%
Source: 2026 North Texas Salary Guide. CPA premium: "Roles requiring a CPA, add 10-20%." Technical premiums: "Advanced Excel, Power BI, SQL, Adaptive, NetSuite, or system implementation experience may command 5-15% premiums." Controllers identified as "highest demand" in the salary guide's compensation growth section.
Put This Data to Work
How to Use This Salary Data
Whether you're pursuing a controllership track or building your accounting leadership team, here's how to apply these numbers.
For Job Seekers
If you're an accounting manager at $115,429, the move to assistant controller at $128,123 represents nearly $13,000 in additional salary. CPA designation and close ownership experience are what make the difference.
Already an assistant controller earning below $101,482? With a CPA and 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, you're below the 25th percentile for Dallas. That's strong justification for a raise or a move.
Assistant controller is the direct pipeline to corporate controller at $199,298. Most assistant controllers make that jump in 2-4 years with the right combination of technical depth, team leadership, and executive visibility.
Our direct-hire recruiters and G.A. Rogers executive recruiting team place assistant controllers at companies across DFW, including roles at growing companies that aren't posted publicly.
Check Your Salary →For Employers
Your assistant controller is the person who ensures your books close on time, your financials are accurate, and your controller can focus on strategy. This is a role where hiring below market leads to close delays, audit issues, and controller burnout.
Posting below $101,482 will attract accounting managers who aren't ready for the scope, not proven assistant controllers who can run your close from day one. Budget at or above the median to attract CPA-holding candidates with close ownership experience.
Assistant controller is a succession planning hire. The right person becomes your next controller. Invest in someone who can grow into the role.
Our direct-hire team and G.A. Rogers screen assistant controllers for CPA credentials, close efficiency, and the leadership skills needed to manage a team and work with external auditors.
Download the Full Salary Guide →Ready to Make Your Next Move?
Whether you're hiring an assistant controller or pursuing your next role on the controllership track, our Dallas recruiters can help.
Explore More
Related North Texas Salaries
Salary data current as of February 2026. Source: PrideStaff Financial 2026 North Texas Salary Guide. Salary ranges reflect the 25th to 75th percentile for the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. National data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Skills premium estimates per salary guide footnotes and PrideStaff Financial recruiter placement data across the North Texas market. Individual compensation varies based on employer, experience, certifications, and negotiation.
