Controlling & Finance
in Business Development
The integration of business development and controlling is of central importance for the development and implementation of growth strategies. Business development focuses on identifying growth opportunities and developing new business areas and business models. Controlling ensures that these activities align with the company’s goals and budget targets. Close collaboration between these two departments forms the foundation for the company’s long-term success.
Controlling & Finance in the Master’s Program
Were you already interested in the topics of controlling and finance during your bachelor’s program? Both subjects are essential for business development, which is why 8 modules focus on issues that are central to modern, forward-looking controlling and support business developers in their work.
1st Semester
Market & Customer
Insights
5 ECTS credits
1st Semester
Business Development Controlling
5 ECTS credits
2nd Semester
Business Development Analytics
5 ECTS credits
2nd Semester
Business Model
Innovation
5 ECTS credits
2nd Semester
Agile Mindset
& Methods
5 ECTS credits
3rd Semester
Financing & Business Plan Development
5 ECTS credits
3rd Semester
Business Development Practical Project
5 ECTS credits
4th Semester
Business Development Management Simulation
5 ECTS credits
You’re also welcome to write your master’s thesis in the field of controlling. This will increase the number of ECTS credits earned in this subject to 62–representing 52% of the program. This is how you’ll develop your personal skill set in the field of controlling and finance!
"Students who combine business development and management accounting benefit from a more comprehensive perspective on business management. Management accounting provides essential tools for planning, steering, and monitoring."
Key Course Content of the Modules
in the Controlling & Finance Learning Path
Market & Customer Insights (1st Semester)
- Estimating Market Size (Market Volume, Market Potential)
- Market and Competitive Analyses
- Trend analyses
- Analysis of customer needs
- Design and implementation of market research projects
Fundamentals of Sustainability (2nd Semester)
- History and Fundamentals of Sustainability
- Global Change and the Policy Framework for Sustainable Development
- The Role of Business in Global Transformation
- Current Management Approaches to Business Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability, and ESG Management
- Stakeholders as Partners in the Transformation
- Regulatory Requirements for Sustainability and ESG Management: EU Taxonomy, Supply Chain Act, CSRD
- Integrating Sustainability into Processes: Supply Chain Management, Communication & Reporting, Controlling, Finance, Innovation, Marketing
- Initiating the Green Transition: Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Climate Strategy, Circular Economy, and Resource Efficiency as Key Elements of Environmental Management
- Sustainable Business Strategies and Models, Product Design
- Organizational Embedding
- Practical Examples
Business Model Innovation (2nd Semester)
- Business Model Frameworks
- Business Model Analysis
- Resilient Business Models
- Digitization of Business Models
- Sustainability of Business Models
- Business Model Development Process
- Business Model Innovation
Business Development Analytics (2nd Semester)
- Structured instructional content on the topics of the information society, ETL processes, data models, and tools for quantitative empirical social research
- In-depth application of tools for the business use of IT technologies and data—in particular, Power BI and Azure
- Application of tools from the fields of descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analytics
Agile Mindset & Methods (2nd Semester)
- Fundamentals of Agile Principles and Values
- Agile Mindset and Its Implications for Organizations and Leaders
- Modern Agile Methods
- Agile Formats for Team and Project Work
- Collaboration and Communication in an Agile Context
- Agile Approaches in Selected Functional Areas
Business Development Controlling (3rd Semester)
- The Role of Controlling in Business Unit Development and Management
- The Role of “Business Cases” in Controlling
- Controlling Based on External Accounting
- Product Contribution Margin Analysis, Customer Profit Analysis, Multidimensional Contribution Margin Analysis
- Selected Cost Management Tool: Activity-Based Costing
- Selected Cost Management Tool: Target Costing
- Selected Cost Management Tool: Life Cycle Costing
- Aspects of value-oriented corporate management
Financing & Business Plan Development (3rd Semester)
- Introduction to Business Plans
- Brainstorming and Innovation Methods for Developing Business Ideas
- Development and Analysis of the Business Idea and the Market Environment
- Presentation of the Service/Product
- Development of an integrated financial plan in Excel (income statement, cash flow statement, balance sheet)
- Investment Financing and Financing of Day-to-Day Operations
- Assessment of financing needs and financing options (short-, medium-, and long-term)
- Development of a business plan
- Ongoing coaching of students Lecturers
- Final presentations
Business Development Practical Project (3rd Semester)
- Structuring a practical project with a direct connection to business development
- Conducting the necessary analyses (company, markets, customers)
- Developing appropriate solution concepts based on the problem at hand (business models, marketing strategies, HR strategies, etc.)
- Defining the prerequisites necessary for project implementation within the company and any potential need for change or development (organization, HR, procurement, service delivery, processes)
- Preparing and presenting the results in a format ready for decision-making
Business Development Management Simulation (4th Semester)
- Strategy Development and Implementation
- Integrated Budget
- The Importance of Value-Based Management
- Tools for Effective Teamwork
- Concepts of Personnel Development