Stage I - Controllers Best Practice

Market, competitive and stakeholder situations are changing at an ever-increasing pace, calling for agile yet targeted management control. So setting up a controlling system that addresses modern requirements is essential. In-depth practical experience of key controlling tools, new approaches and methods are another important prerequisite.

At the same time, controlling and the role and skills demanded of controllers are changing in the wake of digitalization. Stage I communicates hard and soft skills to successfully perform the role of business partner and shape controlling processes effectively and efficiently. In addition, new roles in controlling, such as the Data Scientist, will also be discussed.

After the seminar you will be able to:

• be more competent in your role as a business partner
• understand and apply key controlling tools and their interrelationships
• be more persuasive in leading and facilitating meetings and more results-oriented in your work
• identify and understand current trends, such as digitalization

Seminar Content

I. Controlling for Successful Corporate Management

• The controller as a business partner – understanding the role and necessary competences
• Controlling as a management process of target setting, planning and control
• Objectives and Key Results (OKR)
• With contribution margin accounting to the right decision
• Break even chart, price volume changes, variance analysis and cost structure
• Future-oriented controlling – successfully leading of variance analysis meetings including forecast and deriving action

II. Important Connections between Management Accounting and Financial Accounting

• Details of profit and loss account, balance sheet and cash flow statement
• Cost summary and cost of sales method
• Holistic thinking and acting in controlling
• The ROI-tree as start for driver planning and for sensitivity analysis and simulation
• Derivation of profit target over the capital costs
• Case study on planning and budgeting

III. Planning, Budgeting, Variance Analysis and Forecast

• Integration of strategic and operational planning
• Modern budgeting and rolling forecast
• Application of strategic instruments (SWOT, five forces, product portfolio, potential profile, strategic form)
• Computer based sales forecast with regression analysis (predictive analytics)
• Cost center planning and variance analysis

IV. Development and Building Blocks of the Controlling System

• The accounting panorama – connections of contribution margin accounting, product costing and cost center accounting
• Calculation and sales price determination on the basis of various practical examples
• Case study on strategic planning

V. Trends and Developments in Controlling

• Overview of controlling trends
• Digitalization and data
• Modern planning
• Future development for controllers (New roles for the controlling function)

 Target groups

The Seminar Stage I – Controllers Best Practice addresses to managers and employees from controlling service and accounting as well as executives, who look for deep insights in controller’s work.