SAP CO-PA Experts in Germany

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

• SAP ERP/ECC, SAP S/4 Hana
• Analysis and documentation of SAP FI/CO, PSM, PSCD customizing
• Analysis, consulting and documentation of S/4 Hana apps for defining and preparing statutory reports
• Clarification of the prerequisites for using S/4 Hana apps to define and prepare statutory reports
• Analysis and documentation of customizing for in-house developments
• Consulting on the integration of SAP FI/CO as well as PSM, PSM-FM (Funds Management), Contract Accounts Receivable and Payable (PSCD)
• Consulting and documentation of customizing adjustments in SAP FI/CO, PSM, PSM-FM and PSCD for the introduction of new company codes and other organizational structures
• Consulting and documentation of required process adjustments

• 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

• Lead SAP Controlling, Product Costing and Material Ledger activities across multiple legal entities, improving standard-costing consistency, inventory valuation and month-end financial reporting.
• Contributed to a 30% reduction in the overall financial closing cycle by coordinating SAP Finance, Controlling, Material Ledger and plant-closing activities against a structured month-end calendar.
• Maintain 99.5% SLA adherence while resolving complex Level 2 and Level 3 incidents across Product Costing, Cost Center Accounting, Material Ledger, Actual Costing, WIP, variance calculation and production-order settlement.
• Execute and validate individual and mass standard-cost estimates using CK11N and CK40N, ensuring accurate costing based on current BOMs, routings, activity prices, purchasing conditions and overhead structures.
• Improved product-costing accuracy by identifying and correcting inconsistencies across material-master costing views, activity types, work centres, BOMs, routings and purchasing data.
• Reduced month-end delays by resolving missing cost estimates, incomplete settlement rules, incorrect activity allocations, variance-calculation errors and production-order settlement failures.
• Reconcile production-order costs, inventory values, purchase-price differences, work in process, production variances and settlement postings across SAP Controlling, Material Ledger and General Ledger.
• Execute Material Ledger and Actual Costing close activities, including price determination, purchase-price-difference allocation and periodic unit-price validation.
• Analyse manufacturing-cost variances across raw materials, labour, machine activity, subcontracting, production usage and overhead costs, enabling business controllers to identify root causes and cost-reduction opportunities.
• Configure and support costing variants, valuation variants, quantity structures, cost-component structures, overhead-costing sheets and automatic account-determination settings.
• Coordinate annual standard-cost planning, costing runs and standard-price releases with Finance, Procurement, Production and plant-controlling teams.
• Improved indirect-cost visibility through cost-center planning, activity-price calculations, assessments, distributions and cost-allocation cycles.
• Support profitability reporting through Account-Based CO-PA, enabling analysis by product, customer, market, company code and profit center.
• Developed reconciliation controls, standard operating procedures and costing reports that improved financial governance, closing accuracy and audit readiness.
• Facilitate workshops and knowledge-transfer sessions covering standard costing, Material Ledger, WIP, production variances and production-order settlement.

• Strategic consulting, technical consulting, interim management, and training
• Management consulting and development of application solutions through interdisciplinary solution approaches
• Employee and team development as well as innovation and communication management

Short profile:

• Active in national and international projects focusing on rollouts, transformations, release upgrades and subproject management
• Supporting the design, implementation, configuration and optimization of accounting processes
• Taking responsibility from functional design through customizing to go-live + hypercare and serving as an interface between the business and IT
• Structured analysis of complex financial processes, clear communication with stakeholders, and a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach

SAP FI/CO expertise:

Comprehensive knowledge and experience in SAP FI/CO modules, including implementation, configuration and optimization

Project management:

Experience in leading and coordinating SAP projects, including rollouts and system migrations

Process optimization:

Skills in analyzing, consulting and improving business processes in the SAP environment

SAP S/4 HANA & SAP ECC:

Experience with SAP S/4 HANA / SAP ECC implementations and migrations

ABAP programming:

Knowledge in ABAP programming for custom developments and adjustments

Data analysis:

Skills in data analysis and evaluation, especially with SAP tools and Excel

International projects:

Experience in executing SAP projects in various countries and cultures

Service portfolio:

• Functional and technical consulting
• Requirements/data/process analysis
• Creating functional designs, blueprints and solution proposals
• Customizing and support in FI/CO including process optimizations
• Conducting workshops/tests
• Preparing training materials and conducting user training
• Data migration
• Interface support including development knowledge
• Partial/full project management, cutover management and hypercare

Industries:

• Precision mechanics and optics industry
• Automotive industry
• Food industry
• Beverage/food industry
• Mechanical engineering

SAP knowledge:

• Very good knowledge of SAP CO, FI and AA
• Additionally: SAP DRC, Fiori, Concur, DART, DMEE and user exits
• Good knowledge of SAP PS, authorization management and ABAP
• Basic knowledge of SAP components MM, PP, SD
• Basic knowledge of the HR module
• Version experience: SAP R/3 4.7 / SAP ECC / SAP S/4 HANA
• Migration tools: LSMW, Migration Cockpit

Experience with legal requirements:

• Germany
• Hungary
• Turkey
• Switzerland
• China
• Czech Republic
• Slovakia
• United Kingdom (UK)
• Sweden
• France
• Portugal

I am an SAP FI/CO consultant with extensive experience in national and international projects. My focus is on rollouts, transformations, release upgrades, and managing subprojects. In doing so, I take responsibility from functional design through customizing to go-live and hypercare. As an interface between business and IT, I ensure that complex financial processes are analyzed in a structured way, communicated clearly, and implemented pragmatically.

My core expertise lies in the SAP FI/CO modules, where I have successfully carried out implementations, configurations, and process optimizations. With in-depth knowledge of SAP S/4 HANA and SAP ECC, I reliably support companies in implementations, migrations, and release upgrades. Additionally, I have experience in ABAP programming for custom adjustments and developments, allowing me to flexibly meet individual requirements.

I bring extensive experience in leading and coordinating SAP projects, particularly in rollouts and system migrations. In the process, I carefully analyze business processes in accounting, develop practical solutions, and implement them efficiently. My approach combines structured project management with pragmatic process understanding to achieve tangible results for companies.

I have executed SAP projects in numerous countries, taking into account different legal requirements. This international experience has not only given me technical know-how but also intercultural competence, flexibility, and the ability to successfully manage complex projects in various regulatory environments.

If you are looking for an experienced SAP FI/CO expert to support national and international projects with responsibility, technical expertise and a pragmatic process understanding, I look forward to hearing from you.

• Responsibility for group-wide financial management with a focus on management, PE, and lender reporting.
• Focus on an integrated financial model (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow), robust liquidity and covenant management, and preparation of decision-ready materials for financiers, auditors, and rating stakeholders.
• Establishment of reporting standards, data logic, and closing routines for high-frequency scalability.
• Further development of an integrated financial model (P&L/BS/CF), including scenario capabilities, sensitivities, and driver-based forecasting logic.
• Design and management of a rolling liquidity plan (short-/mid-term), including working capital mechanisms and financing instruments.
• Preparation and quality assurance of lender reporting, including covenant calculations, bridge analyses, and variance explanations.
• Support for the CFO agenda in financier and stakeholder communication (Q&A, documentation logic, key messages, data consistency).
• Coordination and content input for rating- and financing-related deliverables (e.g., presentations, data rooms, management commentary).
• Management of IFRS/accounting topics (e.g., IFRS 16 lease logic, accrual and reconciliation concepts) to ensure reporting and audit readiness.
• Standardization of reporting structures, templates, and KPI definitions across entities to increase transparency, comparability, and speed.

• Network elements, network, operational and operator-related systems
• Supporting around 20 different products (managed agile)
• Requirements analysis and management (functional and non-functional)
• Test concept and planning (scope, test phases, effort, schedule, resources, organization, etc.)
• Aligning approach with clients and service providers
• Managing and assisting in creation of test cases for system, integration and end-to-end tests
• Guiding and supporting test execution
• Defect management and planning bug fixes with external providers
• Preparing and facilitating workshops
• Regular reporting and creating automated test reports
• Further development of agile testing methodology and configuration of supporting tools
• Conceptual support in developing a quality seal for rating product and service quality of internal and external providers
• Requirements engineering based on ISO/IEC 25010, Scrum, SaFE
• BMC Remedy, Atlassian Confluence, Atlassian Jira (including plugins Xray, Structure), Microsoft Office (incl. Visio), Obsidian, doxis document management system, Gitlab, Obsidian

• Consolidation of several systems, consulting for overall SAP Finance / Controlling, FI/CO, DRC, F2R, R2R, incoming and outgoing invoice mapping and target postings of contracts and BP from source systems. CAMt53, creation of the technical concept for the migration of various business areas, creation of migration templates and FMD files, support with data migration, consolidations and data recording, test support, training of end users in all FI and CO areas, FI-AA

• 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

• Interim ABAP-OO developer in S/4 HANA migration
• Automation of trade calculation (IS-Retail)
• RFC interface between cash register system and S/4 (SD)
• RFC interface between S/4 and R/3 for price comparison (SD)
• Automatic creation and assignment of pricing conditions (SD)
• Automation of setting the standard supplier in the info record (MM/SD)

• Project planning and resource planning
• Requirements definition and technology selection
• Data migration and risk management
• Monitoring up to go-live
• Tools: Office365, Jira XRAY, Strato, Onboarding App

As part of my work, I focus on three key areas that are essential for the innovation and future viability of business and society: business start-ups, digitalization and automation, and career planning and personal development.

One focus is on the challenges and opportunities of starting a business—especially academic start-ups as drivers of regional and national innovation. I teach skills for the entire start-up process: from idea creation and building viable business models to managing and scaling a company.

The topic of digitalization and automation covers technical, economic, and social dimensions. It includes basics of digitalization, automation technologies, IIoT and smart manufacturing, software and IT infrastructures, and application areas in various industries. I also analyze human-machine interaction, economic impacts, and future trends that have a lasting effect on companies.

In the area of career planning and personal development, I support future specialists and managers in developing their personal strengths, recognizing their entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial potential, and designing an individual market and career strategy. Topics such as personal branding, personal marketing, and strategic career planning are key to fostering long-term professional direction and proactive action.

• CO greenfield implementation on S/4 HANA (margin analysis, contribution margin accounting according to two parallel standards)
• Concept for data migration for the integration of a company code
• Set up a parallel contribution margin accounting solution via extension ledger with alternative valuations
• Definition and implementation of derivation strategies
• End-user and key user training