Financial Controllers in Germany
in minutes from over 15,000 CVs with the power of AINeed support with month-end close, management reporting, budgeting, cash flow planning, or IFRS and local GAAP topics? Find a Financial Controller who can step in quickly, work cleanly with finance, and deliver reliable numbers without delay.
Meet FRATCH Financial Controllers in Germany
Serkant Türemiş
Last position:
Interim Manager, License Controlling at Tonies GmbH
- Prepared and reviewed quarterly royalty settlements for licensors across music, publishing and media brands, including minimum guarantees, recoupment, returns reconciliation and process optimisation.
- Reconstructed historical licensing data for an external audit by a major US studio, covering music publishing and recorded music across ROW and AUS, and coordinated the resulting statements with the licensor.
- Supported the reconciliation of music royalties with the German collecting society and its international hub for 2018 to 2024.
- Assessed licensing data for accruals and provisions, and structured metadata for contract negotiations.
- Designed target processes and SOPs for a royalty automation tool and accompanied testing during rollout.
Daryoosh Dehestani
Last position:
FP&A Data & AI Architect at Epta Group
Scope: Embedded as FP&A Data & AI Architect within the Finance function of a major European refrigeration manufacturer, leading the transformation of manual, fragmented financial reporting into an automated, governance-driven intelligence platform. Driving the shift from Excel-based controlling to structured data architecture, Power BI analytics, and AI-assisted financial operations.
Financial Data Integrity & ERP Governance
- Initiated and led GL vs. subledger reconciliation investigations, identifying and resolving structural mismatches between General Ledger and subledger data that had gone undetected prior to engagement
- Conducted asset analysis to identify items missing from General Ledger postings, surfacing gaps in fixed asset tracking and period-end completeness
- Validated SAP reports, establishing baseline data quality standards for Finance team consumption
- Established systematic SAP data validation framework ensuring ongoing integrity between ERP postings and downstream reporting outputs
Finance Reporting Transformation
- Designed and implemented a structured Transformation Project approach for converting manual Finance reports into fully automated processes
- Created and owns the Data Reporting Audit Log; a centralized tracking system capturing report owners, stakeholders, data sources, manual effort estimates, and automation opportunity scores across the Finance function
- Mapped the full reporting landscape identifying quick-win automation targets and strategic Power BI migration candidates
- Actively reducing manual Excel and PowerPoint dependency across FP&A workflows; replacing point-in-time snapshots with live, governed data models
Power BI & Analytics Enablement
- Introduced and presented Power BI as the strategic reporting platform to Finance leadership, building internal buy-in for the BI transformation roadmap
- Designed initial Power BI architecture aligned with SAP, Salesforce and Oracle data structures and FP&A reporting requirements
- Established report ownership, governance documentation, and data lineage standards enabling sustainable self-service analytics across the Finance team
Transformation Infrastructure & Collaboration
- Configured and deployed Jira as the transformation project management hub, establishing structured sprint workflows, backlog management, and progress visibility for Finance IT initiatives
- Proposed and initiated a dedicated FP&A Communication & Transformation Hub, a structured cross-functional forum aligning Finance, IT, and business stakeholders around the reporting transformation roadmap
- Positioned the Finance function as an active driver of data governance and digital transformation within the broader organization
Outcomes
- GL/subledger reconciliation gaps identified and investigation framework established within first two weeks of engagement
- Data Reporting Audit Log deployed; first structured inventory of Finance reporting landscape in company history
- Power BI transformation roadmap presented and approved by Finance leadership
- Jira-based project governance live; Finance transformation now tracked with full sprint visibility
Technologies: SAP FI/CO · Power BI · DAX · SQL · Excel (advanced) · Power Query (M) · Power Automate · VBA · Jira · Microsoft 365 · SharePoint · Salesforce (Sales Data) · Oracle HCM · Python
Ricardo Morita
Last position:
Controlling Staff Unit (CFO/Head of Controlling) at IT Security Solutions
- Process optimization, process design
- Business partnering, target vision
- Teambuilding
- Workflow design
- Budget, MEC
- SAP S4/Hana, Board
Carsten Feichtinger
Last position:
Interim Controller / Knowledge Transfer at Medium-sized manufacturing company in the construction industry, existing client
Focus areas: knowledge transfer, reporting, cost analysis Tasks
- Ensure knowledge transfer from the outgoing controller
- Document key controlling processes
- Operational controlling (cash flow planning, reporting)
- Simplify the cost center structure to improve cost analysis Results
- Transparent knowledge transfer and sustainable documentation of controlling processes
- Improved cost analysis and more efficient reporting
Andreea Ardelean
Last position:
Financial Accountant & Controller at gebos GmbH
- Independent accounts receivable and accounts payable accounting, including posting all incoming and outgoing payments
- Preparing customer invoices and monitoring open items and dunning
- Preparing and creating monthly and annual financial statements under HGB
- Preparing VAT returns and working with tax advisors and the tax office
- Preliminary payroll accounting
- HR administration including recruiting, applicant management, and conducting job interviews
- Preparing reports and business analyses for management
- Handling complaints and clarifying accounting issues
Mimmo Nocera
Last position:
Consultant Controlling / MIS / SAP R/3 FI/CO at Freelance
- Consulting on complex IT, accounting, controlling, and business intelligence projects from the analysis phase through implementation to go-live support
- Work as consultant, project manager, and subproject manager
- Focus on business process analysis and implementation
- Controlling: sales, marketing, project, financial, and cost controlling
- Accounting: General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, asset accounting
- Implementation and training of SAP R/3 FI/CO
- Operational experience in controlling, sales, human resources, and commercial project management before my consulting work
René Servos
Last position:
Freelance Interim Manager and Project Consultant at Energy Utility Company
- Analyze the existing water price calculation for formal errors and factual gaps in argumentation regarding the legal regulatory framework (including AVBWasserV, KAG RP, statutes, NEV according to BGH) and water industry best practices
- Ensuring operational controlling of the water division
- Regulatory optimization of the existing pricing strategy
- Objective assessment of existing litigation in the water sector
- Technical support to all stakeholders in the water division
- Implementation and roll-out of a new water price calculation tool
- Knowledge transfer to the controlling department and professional onboarding of new employees
- Covered vacancy by performing water price calculations
- Reviewing the pricing strategy from a regulatory perspective
- Setting up a PMO and taking on PMO tasks
- Professional advice on preparing the annual financial statements
- Expert sparring partner for the board, legal and finance/controlling in the water segment
- Optimization, adaptation and redesign of business processes in the finance/controlling environment
- Regulatory adjustments of the existing controlling
- Advising the holding's board and collaborating with subsidiaries
- Support with impairments together with auditors
- Opportunity and risk analyses for existing legal proceedings and negotiations
- Drafting price adjustment clauses and assisting in mediations
- Reorganization of equity structures
- Reporting to the head of legal, head of corporate development, and the CEO and CSO
Pavel Skála
Last position:
Interim Manager Finance & Controlling at Freiberufler
- Accounting, controlling and reporting, taxes, risk management, treasury, credit management, legal affairs, internal control/SOX, HR, IT, cooperation with auditors, tax consultants and government authorities
- Logistics, production and HACCP, occupational safety and veterinary and hygiene regulations (food manufacturing)
- Due diligence, M&A, corporate split-offs, crisis management, project management
Selected interim projects:
- Twistcafe (fast-food restaurants) – Interim CFO (global): solved issues with accounting and tax documents for the year-end close of the German and Austrian subsidiaries; standardized the intercompany billing of raw material and cash transfers (CZ, SK, DE, AT, PL); automated the recharging of promotions and cashless payments; improved cost center accounting (200+ cost centers)
- VIB Vermögen AG (Branicks Group, real estate) – Interim Head of Accounting (DE): completed HGB year-end financial statements for 19 companies without complications; IFRS group financial statements without issues; automated consolidation tasks (debt consolidation, expense and revenue consolidation); automated reporting processes
- NTT (telecommunications) – Interim Senior Controller (DE): simplified, standardized and automated monthly closing activities (provisions for customer and supplier rebates, order backlogs, accrued revenues, monthly gross profit adjustments), including SOX compliance evidence; balance sheet reconciliation; improved loyalty reporting
- Lilium (aerospace) – Interim Senior Accountant (DE): tax line corrections; asset migration from Datev to Infor LN for two companies, including data quality improvements; automated processing of interim asset investments and asset additions; led successful SOX audit for fixed assets leading up to the US IPO
- Brose (automotive) – Interim Head of Controlling (CZ): successful Forecast III; simplified and automated calculations and reporting (hourly rates, temporary workers, monthly reports, scrap and external rework, direct personnel costs); platform change for the monthly board meeting
- LUST Hybrid-Technik (Pankl-SHW Industries, manufacturing) – Interim Finance Controller (DE): monthly and annual financial statements (including inventory valuation, cost accounting), plan vs. actual comparisons, variance analysis, ad hoc reports, forecast preparation, automation
- Gebr. Bode (Schaltbau Group, manufacturing) – Interim Head of Accounting (DE): year-end financial statements without complications; simplified and automated liquidity planning; automated open items report, standardized intercompany reconciliations; implemented and automated the fixed assets report
- Hyva Georg Hydraulik (manufacturing) – Interim Senior Accountant/Finance Manager (DE): simplified and automated VAT returns, Intrastat and other statistical reports; automated fixed assets report; implemented and automated the cost center report/forecast and temporary labor reserves; master data correction
- Beiersdorf (FMCG) – Interim Finance Manager (DE/SK): oversaw transfer of the local finance department in Slovakia to the SSC Hamburg
- Trèves (automotive) – Interim Plant Controller/Head of Finance & Controlling (CZ): identified weaknesses; implemented controlling processes for the procurement process (PR/PO/GR), payroll, energy costs, ICO accounting, cost center reporting
- Hella Slovakia Signal-Lighting (automotive) – Interim Head of Controlling (SK): 10% reduction in receivables open items; automated reporting (capex, cost center, maintenance costs); standardized and automated inventory and receivables write-offs
- Tunap Cosmetics (FMCG) – Interim Finance Manager (DE): reduced DSO by 21 days within four months; balance sheet cleanup (fixed assets, provisions, prepaid expenses); reduced unprocessed invoices in the workflow by EUR 1.2 million during year-end; automated write-offs, controls and reporting
- Hanon Systems Autopal (automotive) – Interim Finance Controller (CZ): identified weaknesses; automated cost center reporting and purchase orders; automated inventory and receivables write-offs
- Drägerwerk (manufacturing) – Interim Finance Controller (CZ): FI/CO management, process audit, investment incentives, accounting accuracy, SAP settings (FI/CO, MM)
- Maxim Chicken (FMCG) – Interim Head of Finance and Controlling (CZ): introduced new gastronomy products leading to increased sales; implemented cash flow forecasting; reduced variable and fixed costs (raw materials, property leasing); successfully passed veterinary audit
- Trelleborg Automotive Czech Republic (automotive) – Interim Plant Controller/Head of Finance (CZ); Carbody Czech Republic (automotive) – Interim Plant Controller/Head of Finance (CZ): corrected accounting; corporate split-off with SAP separation; implemented cash flow forecasting; factoring
- Kantar Media (WPP Group, media) – Interim Finance Manager (CZ): automated US GAAP reporting; reduced fixed costs (supplier contracts, personnel expenses); implemented standard processes; successful SOX audit; production relocation
Alexander Engel
Last position:
CFO (FiBu, Controlling, HR, Purchasing, IT) at MLD GmbH, medical laboratories Düsseldorf
Founded in 1968, MLD today employs over 350 people at various locations in and around Düsseldorf. The academic team, made up of 17 specialists, colleagues from biology, chemistry, pharmacy, drinking water hygiene, and medical training assistants, supports more than 1,500 office-based doctors and more than 30 hospitals with more than 5,000 beds in the Düsseldorf, Cologne and Lower Rhine regions as a reliable partner in laboratory medicine. It is a subsidiary of the Sonic Healthcare Group based in Sydney, Australia. Group: 37,000 employees, direct reporting line: Managing Director
Responsibilities:
- Disciplinary and technical management responsibility for 16 employees, sub-ledgers, general ledger, controlling, IT, purchasing, HR
- monthly reporting according to IFRS, consolidation of several domestic subsidiaries
- preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements of the companies according to IFRS and annual financial statements according to HGB of several companies, as well as preparation and support of the annual audits
- budgeting, forecasting
- accounting-related execution of incorporations, liquidations and transformations of the companies
- main contact person for auditors, tax advisors and tax authorities.
Thomas Lorang
Last position:
Head Margin Management and Commercial Controlling (Interim Mandate) at Pfleiderer
Lead commercial controlling team (3 direct reports) and ensure ongoing department operations such as sales reporting, planning and budgeting, ad-hoc business analyses on improvement potentials and business partner role to address strategic challenges as well as sales steering and sales management setup (e.g. sales incentives definition and monitoring, definition of key sales processes driving performance, tracking and reporting of strategic sales initiatives)
Collaborate with key stakeholders including PE investor, P&L owners (management board, head of sales) and functional heads (head of controlling, head of SCM, head of IT)
Provide functional leadership of commercial excellence team (department head and 6 direct reports) to define, further develop and execute commercial excellence roadmap as well as critical commercial operations such as long-term transformation agenda, price steering, CRM operations, EDI system, strategic customer planning process
David Stein
Last position:
Senior Controller at DNS-Net
- Management reporting
- Analysis of COGS and close collaboration with accounting
- Variance analysis vs plan/forecast
- Establishing sales controlling
- Business partnering for the CSO area
Rainer Pack
Last position:
Senior Controller at Stahlhandel-Servicecenter Bönen
- Controlling project work: implementation of customer quotation calculation and development of a trading and forward calculation for sales
- Development of a cost of goods manufactured calculator
- Theoretical design and practical implementation: temporary Excel-based solution introduced quickly; embedding into INFOR LN and creation of the requirements specification
- Majority of project management using modern tools (Loop, Jira, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Regular reporting on quotes submitted (contribution margin 1 and full cost coverage) and comparison with post-calculation
Sven Laue
Last position:
Project Controller at Iqony
- Acting as project controller for the STEAM sub-project within Iqony's long-term modernisation programme for an industrial water demineralisation plant at the BP refinery site in Gelsenkirchen-Scholven alongside the parallel WATER sub-project
- Managing cost control, SAP PS data integrity and project tracking in a challenging data environment
Reinhard Wein
Last position:
Commercial Director (incl. Controlling) at TR Plast Group
Leading the finance and accounting department of the TR PLAST GROUP
Responsibility for monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements as well as group consolidation under HGB
Working with banks, leasing companies, tax advisors, insurance brokers, lawyers, auditors, tax auditors, and authorities
Reporting to the managing director and advising on all business management topics
Signing authority for leasing and hire purchase agreements up to €325,000
Building and expanding the areas of controlling, accounting, and finance with a six-figure contribution to company success
Implementing and building cost and performance accounting, liquidity management, company planning, and group consolidation
Correct company results through the setup of internal cost allocations and accruals
Reducing budget costs by 24% through digitalization and automation of processes
Lowering interest expenses by 44% and increasing cash discount income by 23% through the introduction of liquidity management
Six-figure reduction in maintenance costs through the introduction of cost accounting
Thomas Hala
Last position:
HUBER + SUHNER GmbH
- Preparation and support of the year-end closing for the Austrian site
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Financial Controllers statistics
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
24 years
Position duration
3.1 years
Positions per freelancer
14
Top business areas
Finance, Accounting, Business Intelligence
Top industries
Professional Services, Manufacturing, Banking and Finance
Certification focus areas
Accounting, Finance, Human Resources
Bachelor's degree or higher
87%
Master's degree or higher
62%
Doctorate
7%
Certifications per freelancer
2
Most common languages
German, English, Spanish
Speak two or more languages
96%
Based on our profile pool as of 26 Aug 2026.
Daily rate distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers in this role in Germany are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows how many freelancers charge within that range.
Average rates for Financial Controllers in Germany
Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.
The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.
The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.
Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 26 Aug 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
About the role
What they do
A Financial Controller keeps the numbers reliable and useful. The work sits between accounting, reporting, and decision support. Strong controllers do not only close the books. They explain what changed, where the risk sits, and what management should do next.
- Month-end and year-end close support
- Management reporting and variance analysis
- Budgeting, forecasting, and rolling planning
- Cash flow tracking and working capital follow-up
- Cost centre, P&L, and balance sheet review
Typical projects
Companies bring in freelance Financial Controllers when the finance team is under pressure, a process needs structure, or a reporting package has to be improved fast. Common projects include new reporting cycles, support during audits, ERP changeovers, and interim cover during leave, turnover, or growth.
In Germany, this often means close work with local finance teams, group reporting lines, and stakeholders who expect clear, precise English and German documentation. The role is common in manufacturing, industrial groups, e-commerce, services, and mid-sized companies with demanding reporting needs.
Core skills
A strong Financial Controller combines accounting knowledge with calm business judgment. The person should be able to challenge data, spot inconsistencies, and keep deadlines under control without creating noise.
- IFRS, local GAAP, and group reporting logic
- Excel, Power BI, and ERP systems such as SAP
- Strong variance analysis and KPI interpretation
- Clear communication with finance and non-finance teams
- Structured approach to close, controls, and documentation
Good fit signals
Freelance support makes sense when the company needs speed, flexibility, or a very specific reporting skill set. It also helps when a permanent hire would take too long, but the finance function cannot wait.
A good fit is a controller who can work independently, ask the right questions, and leave behind clean templates, better controls, and a process the team can keep using.
How strong controllers stand out
A strong financial controller does more than prepare reports. They understand the business model, connect operational drivers to financial results, and keep the reporting line consistent across teams and systems.
Look for someone who:
- finds the root cause behind deviations
- builds reports people actually use
- improves processes without overcomplicating them
- stays precise under close deadlines
Working style
Freelance controllers often work hybrid or remote, but on-site time can matter during close, handovers, or system work. In Germany, it is common to need clear German communication for local teams, while group reporting or investor-facing work may run in English.
The best projects are well scoped, with access to systems, definitions, and the people who own the numbers. That is where a freelance Financial Controller can add value quickly and with little friction.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions that come up most around Financial Controllers.
A Financial Controller supports the finance function with close, reporting, analysis, and planning. The work usually includes management reports, variance analysis, budget follow-up, and checks on P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow. In many companies, the controller also helps improve reporting formats and control routines.
Freelance support is a strong choice when the need is urgent, temporary, or highly specific. It fits well for month-end pressure, audit preparation, ERP changes, or cover during absence. If the work must start now and the scope is clear, a freelancer is often the faster option.
Look for solid accounting knowledge, sharp Excel skills, and confidence with ERP and reporting tools. A good Financial Controller also needs strong analysis, careful attention to detail, and the ability to explain numbers clearly to managers. In practice, that mix matters as much as technical knowledge.
An accountant is usually closer to booking, statutory accounting, and ledger accuracy. FP&A is more focused on planning, scenarios, and business partnering. A financial controller sits between those areas: controlling the close, ensuring quality, and turning actuals into useful management insight.
Yes, many tasks can be done remotely, especially reporting, analysis, and documentation. On-site work can still be useful for handovers, process reviews, or close periods when fast coordination matters. For German clients, clear communication in German is often helpful, while group reporting may run in English.
Excel is still central, but most Financial Controllers also work with ERP and BI tools. SAP is very common, and many teams also use Power BI, access databases, or reporting layers on top of the ERP. The exact stack depends on company size and how mature the finance function is.
You should expect clean reports, clear variance comments, planning files, and better control routines. A good controller can also leave behind templates, close checklists, and definitions that make the process easier for the team. The best deliverables are not just accurate, but easy to reuse.
Ask for examples of reporting packs, close support, or planning work they have handled in similar settings. A strong financial controller should be able to explain how they found issues, improved a process, and worked with finance and business stakeholders. Clarity, structure, and judgment matter more than polished jargon.
The average hourly rate for Financial Controllers in Germany is 116 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 929 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers working as Financial Controllers in Germany, 87% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 62% hold at least a Master's degree, and 7% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers working as Financial Controllers in Germany have 24 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 3.1 years.
The most common languages among freelancers working as Financial Controllers in Germany are German (99%), English (95%), and Spanish (26%).
The most common industries among freelancers working as Financial Controllers in Germany are Professional Services (75%), Manufacturing (69%), and Banking and Finance (54%).
The most common business areas among freelancers working as Financial Controllers in Germany are Finance (96%), Accounting (89%), and Business Intelligence (80%).
FRATCH Financial Controllers main locations
Our freelancers and interim experts are at home across the DACH region — available on-site in the major business hubs or fully remote. Choose a location to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
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FRATCH CEO
