table of contents
  1. average salary as business controller.
  2. different types of business controller.
  3. working as a business controller.
  4. education and qualifications as business controller.
  5. frequently asked questions about working as a business controller.
  6. monitor jobs as business controller.

what is a business controller?

As a business controller, you analyze the company's financial data. You are a financial specialist who acts as a link between management and the finance department. Your tasks include creating forecasts and budgets, as well as finding opportunities for improvement and insights to strengthen profitability. You monitor the market and observe how it develops, and you stay updated on changes that affect the business. With the support of your structured analyses, you can assess the financial consequences of different plans for the organization. You can investigate whether services and products will be profitable and how sales differ between various customer groups and geographic areas.

what does a business controller do?

As a controller, you analyze financial information, formulate forecasts, and ensure that management receives a solid basis for decision-making to guide the organization. The role involves follow-up, advisory work, and financial management with a focus on streamlining working methods and improving results. A controller is an important link between operational management and the finance department and acts as an advisor on strategic and financial matters. 

There are several specializations within the controller profession depending on whether you work more with business operations or closer to accounting. A business controller interprets and uses numbers as a basis for developing the company. You work closely with decision-makers and managers to analyze data for the future, set goals, and provide strategic support through financial key figures. An accounting controller is also called a financial controller and works with internal reporting, closing accounts, and checking figures. The tasks here include ensuring the accuracy of financial reports and maintaining an overview of the budget and goal achievement. This role requires strong skills in accounting and various financial systems.

business controller jobs
1

average salary as business controller.

The average salary for a business controller is 54,700 kr per month. According to Unionen, the salary range can vary depending on experience and education. The lowest salaries are 41,300 kr per month while an experienced business controller can earn up to 72,600 kr per month. 

A senior controller who works closely with the management team and has greater strategic responsibility usually receives a much higher salary than an assistant and newly graduated controller. There is also a noticeable difference between industries, where the private sector offers higher compensation than the public sector. Salaries are higher in metropolitan areas, which is especially evident in Stockholm. In addition to a base salary, there may be performance-based benefits and bonuses such as wellness allowances, occupational pension, and company car. This results in higher compensation than the stated average salary.

factors that affect the salary as business controller.

The salary for a controller is influenced by several factors such as work experience, education, and industry. People with specialist skills in areas like analysis, accounting, and system support can receive higher compensation. If you work with strategic responsibility and have direct contact with the management team, you will earn a higher salary than a more junior controller in a supporting role. Soft skills are also important. As a business controller, you need to be able to communicate financial analyses clearly and act as a strategic partner to the company’s management. It is beneficial to be able to drive change within the organization, manage complex data systems, and work with project management. Market demand varies, where higher competition and a more complex business environment require controllers with commercial and analytical skills. This affects your salary development within the profession.

2

different types of business controller.

There are several areas of responsibility a controller can work within. Here are some of the roles described: 

  • Business controller: A business controller uses and interprets numbers to develop operations. You work closely with decision-makers and managers to conduct business analyses focused on the future, create action plans, and formulate goals. You monitor financial key figures and provide strategic support to management.
  • Accounting controller: The role of accounting controller involves working with accounting in a finance department. You prepare reports, perform results analysis and consolidation. An accounting controller reviews the current situation and meets the company's internal and external needs.
  • Payroll controller: A payroll controller ensures that laws, agreements, and regulations related to salaries are followed. With broad communication with employees, the payroll controller manages decision-making materials and data.
  • Quality controller: This job role works with quality management. A quality controller compiles, collects, and communicates about the quality of services, products, and operations. The work focuses on management, control, and development with the goal of continuous improvement.
3

working as a business controller.

As a business controller, you work with interpreting and analyzing figures that form the basis for business development. You collaborate closely with managers and decision-makers to formulate goals, create business analyses, and action plans. You monitor the company's financial key figures and serve as the management's strategic support. In this role, you need strong knowledge in business management and finance.

  • work tasks

    As a business controller, you work with: 

    • Forecasts: You use your financial and analytical skills to drive the business. The work includes monitoring external trends and how they affect the company's financial results.
    • Advisory: You act as an advisor to people in company management. With your expertise, they can make decisions regarding planned investments, upcoming product launches, and other important areas within the company's finances.
    • Strategies: As a business controller, you design strategies. This may involve financial strategies for a specific product or a certain period of time, but also larger and more overarching business strategies.

  • work environment

    The work of a business controller is mainly carried out in an office environment at companies, municipalities, organizations, and government agencies. You work at a computer where you analyze the company's finances, prepare reports, and make accurate forecasts. Part of the workday may involve meeting and collaborating with management and other key people in the organization. This role involves a lot of digital work in various analysis tools and financial systems. Travel may occur, especially in a larger organization or in international environments.

  • your colleagues

    Working as a business controller means being a link between the operations and the finance department. You collaborate with managers, accounting assistants, accounting manager, project manager and salesperson. Often, access to data and IT systems is required. In these cases, you need to work together with business developers and IT specialists.

  • work schedule

    You usually work during office hours; daytime on weekdays. The work can be adapted to hybrid work where you partly work from home. During certain periods, there may be work peaks, such as when major reports need to be completed during budget work and year-end closing. Then it may be necessary to work overtime or to have greater flexibility regarding your working hours. In organizations with operations in several countries, you may need to participate in meetings outside regular working hours, especially when collaborating across time zones.

  • future prospects

    During the coming year, a stable demand for business controllers is expected. Organisations are now placing greater emphasis on sustainability reporting and digitalisation, which means the need for controllers who interpret business results and turn them into strategy is constantly increasing. The profession is a safe educational choice as it offers moderate competition for jobs and provides consistent opportunities for career development. Growth in the field is expected within five years. The job market is believed to remain strong in the public sector, large companies, and international groups with complex financial management.

  • benefits of finding a job as business controller via randstad

    There are many advantages to finding an open job as a business controller through Randstad. 

    • opportunity for education and skills development

    • an experienced contact person who supports you when needed

    • access to a wide selection of available jobs

    • flexibility to work full-time or part-time depending on the assignment 

    Are you looking for a permanent position as a business controller? Working as a consultant can be a stepping stone to a permanent job with respected employers. Every year, a large number of consultants move on to permanent positions through Randstad. In addition, many companies recruit business controllers through us.

4

education and qualifications as business controller.

To work as a business controller, a university degree in economics is required, for example in accounting, business administration, or financial economics. An important part of the education is courses in bookkeeping, management accounting, budgeting, analytical tools, and Excel. It may happen that a controller does not have an academic education but has instead completed internal training. In that case, the employer has offered courses entirely or partly during working hours.

skills and qualities.

Below are examples of skills and qualities that are valuable in the job as business controller. 

  • Analytical ability: In your work, you interpret highly complex financial data, identify patterns, and draw conclusions that provide guidance for the organisation's strategic decisions.
  • Communication skills: You need pedagogical competence to present financial results in a clear way. In your reports, you adapt the language to people with varying degrees of financial knowledge.
  • Digital competence: As a business controller, you work in various database systems, such as BI tools and Excel. Experience with data visualization and system analysis is beneficial.
  • Problem solving: You identify discrepancies, ensure the accuracy of figures, and propose various solutions that strengthen financial management within the organization.
  • Organizational skills: The role involves managing several projects at the same time with strict deadlines, reporting, and budget processes. Therefore, you need to have a strong ability to prioritize and structure your work.
5

frequently asked questions about working as a business controller.

Here are the most common questions about working as a business controller.

  • what salary does a business controller get?

    The salary for a business controller varies depending on level of responsibility, experience, region, and sector. The average salary is 54 700 kr per month. Positions in major cities like Stockholm usually offer higher compensation. Salary levels in the public sector are often lower than in the private sector.

  • what education is required to become a business controller?

    To work as a business controller, a university degree in economics is usually required, such as a degree in business and economics. Common specializations in the profession are accounting, management, business administration, and financial analysis. Many employers also prefer knowledge in financial management as well as strong digital skills.

  • how do I apply for a job as business controller?

    It's easy to apply for a job as a business controller. Check out our available positions in finance in your area. When you find a position that suits you, click "apply" and upload your application documents to us. The selection process may include interviews and tasks where you demonstrate your analytical experience. Do you need support with your application? Read our career tips here!

  • what does a business controller do?

    A business controller conducts thorough analyses of financial results to provide the management with a basis for making strategic decisions. In this role, the controller performs forecasting, budgeting, reporting, and monitors key performance indicators. The tasks involve identifying deviations and proposing various measures to strengthen the company's profitability. The educational aspect of the job is to create insights from numbers so that they are easy for company management to understand. In this way, you contribute to the development and increased efficiency of the business.

6

monitor jobs as business controller.

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