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Controller (m/f/d)

Controller: more than just a number checker

In all companies, controllers support the management in an advisory capacity. They keep an eye on more than just the current company-internal figures – their particular strength lies in evaluating these figures and drawing the right conclusions about the company's strategic and operational decisions from them. Accordingly, controllers do not just create reports, but also plan and control processes and services with the goal of ensuring the company's profitability.

As a controller, as well as having analytical skills, it is particularly important to have a good rapport with colleagues. This is because the controlling area collaborates very closely with IT, business analysts and decision-makers. This is the only way for these specialists to make use of new potential for their own company, and also weigh up the costs and risks.

Controllers have a varied and responsible job, since their work makes a significant contribution to current and future corporate development.

CONTROLLER

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  • For companies
  • For freelancers

Are you looking for a job as a controller (m/f/d)?

Do you enjoy the challenge of using numbers and data to develop strategies that will safeguard the future of a company? Do you also like to communicate directly and across departments? If so, you can share your visions in a new company, and consolidate them with your strong data analysis and professional experience. You will be starting a new chapter in your career with us.

Find your next job as a controller

Are you looking for an experienced controller (m/f/d)?

Would you be interested in knowing how to navigate your company safely through the future? Experienced controlling specialists will help you to go down the right path in a targeted manner. Because they can come up with a realistic future scenario for your company from your previous company-internal figures. With us, you will find experienced controllers who understand numbers and will present you with results that will safeguard your profitability.

Find a qualified controller

Are you looking for an exciting project as a controller?

Have you already examined numerous sets of company-internal figures, and know exactly which conclusions you can draw from them for a company's future? If you prefer to be more optimistic about the future than the past, and can also back up your strategies with convincing arguments, then bring your controlling expertise to a new company. Together we will find a project in which you can show that your passion is a combination of analytical thinking and outstanding communication skills.

Find current projects for controllers

What does a controller do?

Controllers are the forward-looking positions within a company. Because company targets are planned, controlled and monitored using internal data in the controlling area, with the important goal of increasing efficiency within the company.

Depending on their area of responsibility, controllers in operational controlling are responsible for budget management, i.e. the company's cost-effectiveness and profitability. In strategic controlling, on the other hand, the controllers look for new potential for the company, and the costs and risks are weighed up.

However, it is not only the responsibilities that differ in controlling. Depending on the task and the area of responsibility, companies and organizations occupy the respective position with controllers – in accordance with their qualifications and previous experience:

Junior Controller

Controllers who are new to the controlling area are referred to as junior controllers. At the beginning of their controlling career, they initially support the controlling team and, as their professional experience increases, they also take on their own projects. They are gradually introduced to the tasks of a controller in this way. This includes drawing up budget plans, writing of analyses and reports and processing data.

Senior Controller

Expertise in controlling also comes as you gain in experience. As a senior controller, you will control and plan company processes. Senior controllers mainly deal with strategic tasks. They also support the management in an advisory capacity, carry out target/actual comparisons and optimise company processes.

Which tasks and activities does the everyday work of a controller involve?

Developed from accounting, controllers examine the future of the company on the basis of the available figures. Accounting and financial accounting specialists, on the other hand, look back on previous corporate structures.

Controllers are responsible for the planning, controlling and monitoring of processes, and are mainly responsible for corporate development. The following tasks are therefore a part of the everyday work of a controller:

 

  • Determination and control of procedures within the company
  • Analysis and optimisation of processes
  • Process and weak point analysis and continuous optimisation
  • Target/actual comparisons
  • Budget planning and sales forecasts
  • Planning and implementation of strategies
  • Preparation and transmission of figures to the management

How much does a controller earn?

Since controllers already work at the management level of a company, this is also already reflected in the starting salary. Junior controllers can expect a gross annual salary of about EUR 45,000.

As the amount of responsibility increases, controllers can also make the sales-generating effect of their work within the company clear. They therefore become more and more valuable to the company. This can then also be seen in the controller's salary. Because you can earn a significantly higher salary as a senior controller. Depending on the size of the company and your own area of responsibility, gross annual salaries of between EUR 60,000 and EUR 115,000 are possible. Particularly controllers with a business administration degree and a specialized master’s degree are sought-after specialists in controlling.

Can controllers specialise?

Controlling in large companies may be decentralized. In this case, there are separate controllers for individual departments. Accordingly, controlling experts can also specialize in the following areas:

  • Sales controlling
  • Logistics controlling
  • Investment controlling
  • Marketing logistics
  • Production controlling
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Controlling in large companies may be decentralized. In this case, there are separate controllers for individual departments. Accordingly, controlling experts can also specialize in the following areas:

  • Sales controlling
  • Logistics controlling
  • Investment controlling
  • Marketing logistics
  • Production controlling
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What hard and soft skills do controllers need to have?

As well as analytical thinking and planning skills, controllers should have a high degree of flexibility and assertiveness. Because they often have to give presentations and explain and justify their recommendations using numbers and data. Controlling specialists therefore require an eye for the essentials, but also good knowledge of English, since they represent the right hand of the company management.

Controllers should have the following hard and soft skills:

  • Analytical and planning skills
  • Training and experience in controlling and accounting
  • Knowledge of relevant IT applications and software
  • Knowledge of English
  • Resilience, flexibility and assertiveness
Minimise More Info

As well as analytical thinking and planning skills, controllers should have a high degree of flexibility and assertiveness. Because they often have to give presentations and explain and justify their recommendations using numbers and data. Controlling specialists therefore require an eye for the essentials, but also good knowledge of English, since they represent the right hand of the company management.

Controllers should have the following hard and soft skills:

  • Analytical and planning skills
  • Training and experience in controlling and accounting
  • Knowledge of relevant IT applications and software
  • Knowledge of English
  • Resilience, flexibility and assertiveness
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What training should controllers have completed?

There is no specific route to follow in controlling. However, it is advantageous to have knowledge of business administration and a degree in accounting, business administration or other subjects such as mathematics or statistics.

Alternatively, further training based on commercial or administrative training can be completed. If this is supplemented by further training as a controlling specialist, all the necessary training requirements have been met.

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There is no specific route to follow in controlling. However, it is advantageous to have knowledge of business administration and a degree in accounting, business administration or other subjects such as mathematics or statistics.

Alternatively, further training based on commercial or administrative training can be completed. If this is supplemented by further training as a controlling specialist, all the necessary training requirements have been met.

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Find your next dream job or work as a controller with Hays

When we are placing competent controllers within your company, we work in accordance with our innovative “Find & Engage” concept. Our recruiters create shortlists of applicants on the basis of search networks and data analyses. These identify candidates who meet your requirements, even if they are not currently looking for another job.

In order to find the best possible person for your position, we attach great importance to establishing good relationships with applicants from the controlling area. We do this by getting to know their interests and priorities and arranging exciting job offers. This gives us an extensive pool of qualified candidates to whom we can suggest a suitable company at short notice.

If the professional relationship and the mutual interest between applicants and companies are right, all of the relevant framework conditions are coordinated with Hays. The applicants are then employed, either directly by the company or on a contract basis by Hays. Nothing then stands in the way of good cooperation!

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When we are placing competent controllers within your company, we work in accordance with our innovative “Find & Engage” concept. Our recruiters create shortlists of applicants on the basis of search networks and data analyses. These identify candidates who meet your requirements, even if they are not currently looking for another job.

In order to find the best possible person for your position, we attach great importance to establishing good relationships with applicants from the controlling area. We do this by getting to know their interests and priorities and arranging exciting job offers. This gives us an extensive pool of qualified candidates to whom we can suggest a suitable company at short notice.

If the professional relationship and the mutual interest between applicants and companies are right, all of the relevant framework conditions are coordinated with Hays. The applicants are then employed, either directly by the company or on a contract basis by Hays. Nothing then stands in the way of good cooperation!

Minimise More Info

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