Assistant Controller

Aalto University; Finland; Hybrid; EUR 38,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Aalto University is seeking an Assistant Controller in the Financial Services unit for the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. You will help plan, monitor, and report finances for education and research in a transparent, sustainable manner.

The role focuses on supporting academic staff, ensuring financial sustainability of educational portfolios, and collaborating on projects with industry and public partners. The work requires independent action and strong analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of accounting, financial management and financial processes.
• A relevant university degree and a few years of experience in financial management.
• Ability to work independently and take responsibility for your work.
• Service-oriented and collaborative mindset with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and an analytical, detail-oriented approach.

Responsibilities

• Managing the financial administration of teaching budgets, including related reporting and financial planning.
• Ensuring the smooth operation of financial processes and developing financial reporting practices.
• Supporting financial management of collaborative projects with companies, foundations, other universities and the public sector.

Skills

Accounting knowledge

Financial management

Financial reporting

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

University degree

Job description

At Aalto University, curiosity moves across disciplines, roles and communities. We bring people together to ask new questions, challenge familiar thinking and turn ideas into impact. Our work is rooted in responsibility, courage and collaboration, and in a shared commitment to shaping a more sustainable future.

Financial Services is looking for an ASSISTANT CONRTOLLER to School of Arts, Design and Architecture. In this role, you will help us ensure that the finances for education and research are well planned, monitored and reported in a transparent and sustainable manner.

Your role and impact

As an Assistant Controller, you will play a key role in supporting and guiding the department on financial matters, helping ensure the financial sustainability of its educational portfolio. You will apply your financial expertise and problem-solving skills to support academic staff and help identify solutions to questions related to financial planning and monitoring. Your work will include:

• Managing the financial administration of teaching budgets, including related reporting and financial planning.
• Ensuring the smooth operation of financial processes and actively contributing to the development of financial reporting and practices.
• Supporting the financial management of collaborative projects carried out with companies, foundations, other universities and the public sector.

You will work closely with the Unit Controller, HR, Learning Services, and the department’s leadership and academic staff. This role offers you an exciting opportunity to put your financial expertise to work in support of world-class research and artistic excellence.

What you bring

To thrive in this role, you will need:

• Strong knowledge of accounting, financial management and financial processes.
• A relevant university degree and a few years of experience in financial management.
• The ability to work independently and take responsibility for your work.
• A service-oriented and collaborative mindset, with excellent interpersonal skills. You approach even challenging situations constructively.
• Strong problem-solving skills and an analytical, detail-oriented approach to your work.
• The ability to see the bigger picture and drive tasks forward in a structured and systematic way, even under time pressure.

We also value:

• A curious and forward-thinking approach to your work. We encourage you to bring fresh perspectives; challenge established ways of thinking and contribute to the continuous development of our operations.
• The ability and willingness to quickly learn and adopt new systems.

Language requirements:

• English: Excellent skills in English
• Finnish: Working proficiency in Finnish

We know that meaningful work is built by people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. If you recognize yourself in the purpose of this role, we encourage you to bring fresh perspectives to our community.

The application deadline is 15 November 2026 at 23:59 Finnish time.

What we offer

At Aalto, you can expect:

• Work with purpose in a community where research, education, creativity and services support meaningful change.
• A multidisciplinary environment where collaboration, curiosity and new thinking are part of everyday work.
• Support for your professional growth.
• Occupational health care services in cooperation with Terveystalo.
• Staff-priced UniSport services on campus and at other UniSport locations.
• My Hour, a weekly well-being hour that allows you to use one working hour per week for your own well-being.

The salary range for this position is approximately 3400–3800 €/month.

Work-life balance and well-being in all aspects of life are important to us at Aalto. We work in a hybrid model, and the primary workplace is located on the Otaniemi campus in Espoo, Finland.

Explore our working environment here: Campus | Aalto University

Curious to make a difference?

For more information about the role, please contact Controller Maria Vihervä, [phone] on 5.11. at 15-17 or 13.11. at 8–9. For questions related to the application process, please contact HR Partner Isabella Itäpalo at isabella.itapalo(at)aalto.fi.

Aalto University is committed to a transparent and fair recruitment process. You are welcome to request feedback during or after the recruitment process.

About Aalto University

Aalto University builds on the legacy of three leading Finnish universities: Helsinki University of Technology, Helsinki School of Economics and the University of Art and Design Helsinki. Since 2010, we have brought science, art, technology and business together in new ways. Today, the Aalto community consists of 16,000 students and 5,200 employees, including 446 professors. Half of our faculty members have an international background.

Our campus in Espoo is a vibrant cluster of research and innovation with striking architecture, peaceful nature, open spaces for collaboration, and a wide range of services, all with excellent public transport connections.

Diversity is part of who we are. We work actively to build a community where people can belong, contribute and grow.

More about Aalto University: Aalto.fi youtube.com/user/aaltouniversity linkedin.com/school/aalto-university/ www.facebook.com/aaltouniversity instagram.com/aaltouniversity

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges.

Our community is made up of 16 000 students and 5 200 employees, including 446 professors, working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.