Controller: a viable career for hospitality students

PurposeThis study seeks to develop a characteristic and financial profile of controllers in the hospitality industry. It also examines the differences in profiles between female and male controllers, as well as, hotel and club controllers.Design/methodology/approachData was collected as part of a biennium survey of the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) membership. The survey collects data on compensation, benefits, job characteristics, and demographics.FindingsOn average, the 2004 projected salary for hospitality controllers is over $80,000. Female controllers get paid less than male controllers and while there are some minor differences between these two groups they may not be enough to explain the disparity in pay. The results of this study also suggest that the hotel industry pays better than the club industry; however, differences in these two segments may explain some of the variation in compensation.Research limitations/implicationsFrom the analysis, it is apparent that being a controller is a viable career path for individuals interested in working in the hospitality industry. Also, controllers have varied responsibilities which include more than just number crunching such as technology and human resources management. However, given the salary difference between female and male controllers, the industry needs to create better pay equity between the genders so that it can attract more females into this career.Originality/valueThis research aims to develop a more comprehensive profile of hospitality controllers and by so doing, help professors, counselors, students, and others be more open to the possibility of being a controller and viewing it as a career path.