Treasurers and Controllers
Machines can already do 40% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 65%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Treasurers and Controllers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 40% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 39% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2030, and 65% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 841,710 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $166,570 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 62% for contact with people.
- Also called: Comptroller, Controller, Corporate Controller, Corporate Treasurer.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prepare or direct preparation of financial statements, business activity reports, financial position forecasts, annual budgets, or reports required by regulatory agencies | 14% | 81% to 97% | |
| Coordinate and direct the financial planning, budgeting, procurement, or investment activities of all or part of an organization | 10% | 10% to 30% | |
| Analyze the financial details of past, present, and expected operations to identify development opportunities and areas where improvement is needed | 10% | 75% to 95% | |
| Supervise employees performing financial reporting, accounting, billing, collections, payroll, and budgeting duties | 10% | 10% to 30% | |
| Monitor financial activities and details, such as cash flow and reserve levels, to ensure that all legal and regulatory requirements are met | 7% | 40% to 80% | |
| Advise management on short-term and long-term financial objectives, policies, and actions | 7% | 35% to 65% | |
| Receive, record, and authorize requests for disbursements in accordance with company policies and procedures | 5% | 25% to 55% | |
| Provide direction and assistance to other organizational units regarding accounting and budgeting policies and procedures and efficient control and utilization of financial resources | 5% | 35% to 65% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills treasurers and controllers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Compensation and Benefits Managers62% of tasks by 2035 · US median $149,230
- Chief Financial Officers64% of tasks by 2035
- Chief Operating Officers50% of tasks by 2035
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers58% of tasks by 2035 · US median $69,990
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Treasurers and Controllers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2030. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of treasurers and controllers?
Machines can do 40% of the tasks of treasurers and controllers today and 65% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 11-3031.01 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Treasurers and Controllers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/treasurers-and-controllers/