Business Controller
On this page
- What's it like to be a Business Controller?
- How to become a Business Controller
- Latest Business Controller jobs
- Top skills and experience for Business Controllers
What's it like to be a Business Controller?
A Business Controller serves as the financial leader of an organisation, leading it toward growth and profitability through financial planning, analysis and reporting. Their role requires aligning financial decisions with the strategic objectives of the organisation. They work closely with various departments to provide insights that help shape strategies and resource allocation decisions. Business Controllers work in various industries, from finance and manufacturing to retail and technology.
Tasks and duties
- Analysing financial data to identify trends, opportunities and areas for improvement.
- Establishing budgets and financial forecasts to guide strategic planning activities.
- Assessing financial performance against targets and providing insights.
- Working collaboratively across departments to align financial strategies with business goals.
- Generating financial reports to present to management and stakeholders.
How to become a Business Controller
Being an effective Business Controller requires you to have a relevant qualification and expertise, strategic thinking skills and leadership abilities.
- 1.
Complete a bachelor degree in finance, accounting or a related field.
- 2.
Gain practical experience. Get started in your journey by working as a Financial Analyst, Cost Analyst or Budget Analyst and gain hands-on experience.
- 3.
Acquire professional qualifications. Get certifications such as Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) to enhance your credentials.
- 4.
Consider career advancement opportunities. As your experience and expertise increases, aim for roles such as Finance Director, CFO or Vice President of Finance. You may also explore specialising in areas like strategic financial planning, mergers and acquisitions or risk management to advance your career further.