Interim Business Controller

Nextt & Mason AB; Denmark; Remote; DKK 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Nextt & Mason AB is seeking an experienced Interim Business Controller to cover a parental leave across Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. The role focuses on business controlling rather than bookkeeping, reporting to the FP&A Manager and collaborating with an eight-person Nordic accounting team.

The interim will lead monthly close, support annual accounts and audits, and drive margin-driven analyses using a new ERP system.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills with experience in business controlling.
• Auditing background is preferred for governance and controls.
• Ability to work with a range of stakeholders across the organization.
• Experience analyzing margin per unit and distribution costs.

Responsibilities

• Execute month-end close for Nordic units, including price checks and deviation follow-up.
• Support completion of annual accounts and audit processes.
• Prepare forecasts after accounts filing and weekly forecasts of expected development.
• Analyze profitability per customer after distribution costs and review customer/product/supplier mix.
• Monitor hedging of fixed prices and budget control with ongoing follow-up.
• Utilize ERP reporting to explain margin development and identify optimization opportunities.
• Run scenario and transport analyses to support quick responses to supply changes.
• Upload and reconcile margin-related data in the group reporting system.

Skills

Analytical ability

Stakeholder management

Margin analysis

People skills

Education

Auditing background

Tools

ERP system

Reporting tools

Job description

Our client is a well-established trading and distribution company with operations in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Four Nordic companies, each with its own accounts, are managed from the head office in East Jutland, which has approx. 30–35 employees. The business is managed at margin level, and even small deviations in pricing or sourcing can have a significant impact on results.

The client is looking for an experienced Interim Business Controller (IBC) to cover a parental leave during a period of high pressure. The financial year closed on 30 September, and the annual accounts and audit must be completed while a new ERP system is being fully implemented. The focus is now shifting from stabilisation to making full use of the system’s capabilities. The timeframe is short, with approx. two weeks of overlap with the current controller, so the Interim Controller is expected to deliver from day one.

The role is primarily focused on business controlling and does not include bookkeeping, which is handled by the accounting function. The IBC reports to the FP&A Manager and works closely with the eight-person Nordic accounting team, the reporting team and the local business areas.

Key responsibilities include:

• Carrying out the month-end close for the Nordic companies, including price checks and follow-up on deviations
• Supporting the completion of the annual accounts and the subsequent audit
• Preparing the forecast after the accounts are filed, as well as weekly forecasts of the month’s expected development
• Analysing profitability per customer after distribution costs, as well as customer, product and supplier mix
• Following up on customer hedging of fixed prices and on budget control
• Using the new ERP system’s reporting to explain margin development and identify optimisation opportunities
• Carrying out scenario and transport analyses so the business can respond quickly to changes in the supply situation
• Uploading and reconciling margin-related data in the group’s reporting system

Profile:

• You are an experienced controller with a solid background in business controlling, ideally with an auditing background
• You are highly analytical and used to working with margin per unit rather than traditional gross margin percentage
• You have strong people skills and can work well with a range of stakeholders
• You can work on-site five days a week at the start; later in the assignment there may be an option to work from home on analysis days