Finance & Controlling Recruitment in Spain
Finance and controlling roles in international companies often combine several requirements: strong functional expertise, an understanding of the business, local responsibility and close collaboration with international headquarters.
Akens\Nordburg is an Executive Search and International Recruitment boutique supporting international companies in the search for Finance, Controlling and selected Corporate Functions profiles in Spain, particularly when functional requirements need to be combined with international experience, languages or a specific organisational context.
Spain is our core market, within an international practice with particular depth between Spain and Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH).
When the job title tells only part of the story
A Finance Manager, Business Controller or Head of Finance can carry very different responsibilities depending on the organisation.
In an international subsidiary, a position may combine controlling and reporting with budgeting, forecasting, business partnering or responsibility for accounting. In smaller organisations, the role may also include broader finance or administrative responsibilities.
For that reason, the job title alone is rarely enough. What matters is which responsibilities the candidate has actually held, the organisational environment in which that experience was developed and how well it transfers to the specific role.
Where our experience is particularly relevant
Our experience is particularly relevant in positions where Finance expertise needs to be combined with international collaboration, local responsibility or a specific organisational situation.
Finance Management & Controlling
Finance Managers, Heads of Finance, Business Controllers and Financial Controllers with responsibility for reporting, planning, performance management and financial transparency.
FP&A & Business Partnering
Profiles combining financial analysis, forecasting and planning with a strong understanding of the operational business and the ability to support management decision-making.
Accounting & broader financial responsibility
Positions where accounting, financial close, consolidation or broader financial management form an important part of the role.
Selected Corporate Functions
We also support selected assignments in areas such as Administration, Compliance, Risk or Governance where the position requires international coordination, local responsibility or a particularly specific combination of experience.
Between the local organisation and headquarters
Many Finance roles in international companies sit between the local organisation and headquarters.
The local business needs someone who understands its operations, provides reliable financial information and supports decision-making. Headquarters, at the same time, expects reliable reporting, planning, transparency and integration into international processes.
For companies headquartered in the DACH region, language, corporate culture and different expectations around scope or seniority may add another layer of complexity.
The right person therefore often needs to understand both sides and connect them effectively.
When multiple requirements narrow the candidate market
A Finance search may appear relatively broad at first and still become highly specific once the full requirements are considered.
Sector knowledge, international experience, leadership, ERP or reporting systems, languages, location, compensation and organisational context can significantly reduce the relevant candidate market when combined.
Before starting the search, we therefore clarify which requirements are essential and which professional backgrounds are realistically transferable.
We then analyse the relevant candidate market systematically (Market Mapping), identify suitable companies and professional backgrounds and approach relevant candidates directly.
Our search is not limited to professionals who are actively looking for a new position.
Selected assignments completed successfully
Our experience in Finance & Controlling includes both searches in Spain and selected international projects.
Controller — Barcelona
Search for a Controller in Barcelona for a German industrial company. The position combined controlling, reporting, planning and forecasting with accounting and consolidation in an international environment.
The role offered the opportunity to take overall responsibility for accounting and controlling over time.
Business Controller — Dublin
Search for a Business Controller in Dublin for an international group.
The position combined financial analysis, budgeting and forecasting with support for operational management in an international environment.
Building local Finance responsibility as an organisation grows
As a local organisation develops, its Finance structure often needs to evolve with it.
At an earlier stage, some activities may still be handled by headquarters, external partners or another group company. As the organisation grows, there is often a point at which dedicated local Finance responsibility becomes useful or necessary.
At that stage, the question is not simply who to hire. It is first necessary to define the right level of responsibility, seniority and combination of Finance and business expertise for the organisation’s next stage of development.
More about the first critical hire in Spain →Are you hiring for a Finance or Corporate Functions role in Spain?
If you are looking for a Controller, Finance Manager or another demanding Finance or Corporate Functions profile in Spain, we can review the mandate, the requirements and the relevant candidate market with you.