Heads of Controlling in Germany
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Meet FRATCH Heads of Controlling 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.
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
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
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
Wolfgang Horlacher
Last position:
Head of Finance and Controlling (Interim) at Kunert Fashion Group
Financial accounting: daily general ledger entries and month-end closing
Preparation of FY 2024 financial group statements (subunits KF, KNL, KAU, KCH)
Preparation of physical inventory for KF with inventory instructions for Logistic
Further development of ERP Finance processes integration with MS Dynamics BC 14
Implementation of electronic invoice verification and Multi Cash banking software
Expansion of sales and e-commerce controlling toolbox and processes
Preparation of budgets 2026, 2027, 2028, including investment plan, cost accounting
Preparation and commentary on monthly reports for sub-units and Group
Preparation of weekly financial plans, cash flow and liquidity plans
Further development of sales controlling, focusing on margins & product profitability
Creation and integration of accounting workflows for MS Dynamics
Leadership focus: Stabilization of the finance team and clear scope of work responsibility
Communication with banks, auditors, tax advisors, and tax authorities
Complete and accurate monthly reporting for each business unit and the KF Group
Preparation 2024 financial statements for KF Germany, KNL, KAU, and KNL with audit opinion
Detailed setup and preparation of the KF 2026 budget for the management and shareholders
Weekly cash flow planning coordinated with the management and shareholders
Turnaround in net sales and EBIT from September 2025 onwards – stable growth
Leadership & change through consistent, data-driven KPIs
Andreas Günkel
Last position:
Head of Controlling (ad interim) at amedes Group
- Functional and disciplinary management of the controlling department with 12 employees
- Assessment, stabilization, and restructuring of the Business Unit Controlling, Corporate Controlling, and Central Controlling
- Implementation of a cost-saving project (top-tier consultant), aimed at significantly improving EBITDA margin
- Simplification and acceleration of the reporting, planning, and forecasting processes
- Identification and implementation of business-critical KPIs
- Improvement of business performance commentary to shareholders
- Establishment of IT and sales controlling
- Support in preparing financial statements under HGB and IFRS
- Improvement of collaboration with accounting and treasury
Bernhard Colsman
Last position:
Head of Controlling and Plant Controlling at German midsize subsidiary of a global Japanese automotive supplier
- Continued tasks after the departure of a long-term employee and training a new staff member
- Preparation of the profit and loss statement as part of the weekly forecast, in cooperation with operational departments, and presentation in management meetings
- Regular analyses using Qlik Sense
- Preparation of monthly and quarterly closing
- Support for the plant manager
- Leading a team of four employees
- Conducting ad-hoc analyses for management
Mario Montagna
Last position:
Finance Director at Aluforge GmbH
- Commercial management: liquidity control, accounting, support for the 2024 and 2025 year-end closings, local and international reporting, strategy and financing, contract management
Peter Oßwald
Last position:
GB Foods
- Leading a team of 3 business controllers and 1 demand planner.
- Responsibility for reporting, forecasting, planning, and price management.
- Advising and supporting the implementation of annual negotiations with retailers.
- Managing and optimizing controlling processes.
- Close collaboration with sales, marketing, customer service, and accounting.
- Sales approx. €130 million.
- FMCG.
Klaus Baumhauer
Last position:
Managing Director at FineAntz GmbH
- Founder and Managing Partner of FineAntz GmbH, focusing on restructuring and transformation consulting as well as interim management in finance
Ralf Wüstermann
Last position:
Finance and Controlling Manager at Vanderlande Industries do Brasil Ltda
- International reporting in English
- Budget preparation
- Production controlling
- Process optimizations
Carsten Schoenberg
Last position:
CFO / Head of Controlling, HR, Accounting & Legal at Kabs Service & Logistik (Kabs PolsterWelt)
Sabrina Saule
Last position:
Interim Head of Group Controlling / Interim Corporate Vice President Group Controlling at CompuGroup Medical SE & Co. KGaA
- Buildup, expansion and management of the Group Controlling team
- Responsibility for actuals, forecast, planning and ad-hoc analysis
- Optimization of financial systems, data structures and financial hierarchy
- Implementation of a new BI tool
- Optimization of reporting and analyses
- Project for implementation of cost of sales method
Ella Ivanusec
Last position:
Accounts Receivable Accountant at Serrala Group
- Invoice creation in S4 Hana
- Backlog processing
- Support for dunning
Stefan Sprenger
Last position:
Head of Operational Controlling at ETO Gruppe Beteiligungen GmbH
- Industry: automotive supplier
- Group, segment, product and site controlling
- Personnel responsibility for 6 employees
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Heads of Controlling statistics
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
27 years
Position duration
1.6 years
Positions per freelancer
20
Top business areas
Finance, Business Intelligence, Project Management
Top industries
Professional Services, Manufacturing, Retail
Certification focus areas
Accounting, Strategy, Finance
Bachelor's degree or higher
100%
Master's degree or higher
73%
Doctorate
20%
Certifications per freelancer
3
Most common languages
German, English, French
Speak two or more languages
100%
Based on our profile pool as of 27 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 Heads of Controlling 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 27 Aug 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
About the role
Steering Financial Success in German Companies
Interim finance leaders ensure stability and growth in a highly structured market. In Germany, managing corporate finances requires a deep understanding of local accounting standards like HGB alongside international regulations such as IFRS. Freelance controlling experts step in to lead finance departments through transitions, establish transparent reporting systems, and advise the management board on strategic decisions. They bridge the gap between day-to-day accounting and long-term corporate strategy, ensuring compliance and profitability for both traditional Mittelstand businesses and global corporations.
Core Deliverables of an Interim Finance Leader
- Establishment of robust budgeting, forecasting, and liquidity planning processes
- Execution of comprehensive variance analyses and KPI reporting for stakeholders
- Leadership and modernization of the local finance and controlling teams
- Integration of financial data during mergers, acquisitions, or restructuring phases
- Implementation of cost-saving initiatives and profitability improvement programs
Modern Tools and Systems for Financial Steering
A modern controlling director relies on advanced ERP systems and business intelligence tools to drive data-based decisions. Experience with SAP ERP, especially SAP S/4HANA migrations, is crucial for maintaining operational continuity during digital transformations. They leverage BI solutions like Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, or Jedox to build automated dashboards that make complex financial data accessible to non-financial executives. By designing efficient data pipelines, they reduce reporting cycles and increase forecasting accuracy.
Why Companies Hire Freelance Controlling Leaders
Organizations bring in external expertise during periods of vacancy, rapid growth, or restructuring. A freelance professional provides an unbiased external view of the company's financial health and processes. This is particularly valuable during strategic reorientations, post-merger integrations, or unexpected departures of permanent executives. Their immediate availability and proven leadership experience in various industries allow them to take charge from day one without long onboarding phases, securing financial stability when it is needed most.
Frequently asked questions
Key details about Heads of Controlling, drawn from the questions we get asked most.
A freelance Head of Controlling takes full responsibility for a company's financial planning, budgeting, and performance management. They lead the finance team, optimize reporting structures, and provide strategic recommendations to executive management. During interim assignments, they also manage system migrations or structural reorganizations.
Hiring an interim Head of Controlling bridges critical leadership gaps immediately, preventing operational disruptions in your finance department. Permanent executive search in Germany often takes several months, whereas a freelancer can start within days to maintain business continuity. They also bring specialized project experience that permanent hires might lack, such as handling a sudden restructuring.
Yes, an interim finance director operating in Germany must be deeply familiar with HGB accounting principles and German tax laws. If the company is part of an international group, they also need extensive experience in IFRS or US GAAP. Fluent German is typically required for negotiating with local banks, tax consultants, and German authorities.
A professional Head of Controlling is highly proficient in enterprise resource planning software, particularly SAP ERP and SAP S/4HANA. They also utilize advanced business intelligence tools like Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, and specialized planning software such as Jedox or corporate planner tools to automate financial reporting.
Most freelance controlling leaders work in a hybrid setup, combining remote strategic planning with on-site team management. Critical phases like team onboarding, board presentations, or audit preparations usually require their physical presence at your office in Germany. The exact split is tailored to your company's operational requirements and remote infrastructure.
You can evaluate a candidate by reviewing their track record in similar industries, specifically their success in managing budgets of comparable size. A qualified interim manager should demonstrate experience with your specific ERP system and a proven ability to lead teams through change. References from previous stakeholders regarding their communication skills and delivery speed are highly valuable.
While both manage corporate finance, a Head of Controlling focuses heavily on internal data, budgeting, operational performance, and management reporting. A CFO holds broader corporate responsibility, including treasury, investor relations, legal affairs, and external financial reporting. In smaller companies, however, these roles can sometimes overlap.
Yes, a controlling expert working in the German Mittelstand often handles a broader range of hands-on tasks, including treasury and direct communication with owner-managers. In contrast, corporate groups require highly standardized reporting procedures, complex matrix organization navigation, and strict compliance with global corporate guidelines.
The average hourly rate for Heads of Controlling in Germany is 128 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 1,021 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers working as Heads of Controlling in Germany, 100% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 73% hold at least a Master's degree, and 20% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers working as Heads of Controlling in Germany have 27 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 1.6 years.
The most common languages among freelancers working as Heads of Controlling in Germany are German (100%), English (100%), and French (29%).
The most common industries among freelancers working as Heads of Controlling in Germany are Professional Services (76%), Manufacturing (71%), and Retail (71%).
The most common business areas among freelancers working as Heads of Controlling in Germany are Finance (100%), Business Intelligence (94%), and Project Management (88%).
FRATCH Heads of Controlling 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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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
