Controller salary trends

Do you work as a controller and are you curious whether your salary is in line with current market rates? Or are you looking for a job within controlling, but you have no idea what salary you can expect? Our Salary Survey provides an overview of current salaries for controller positions in The Netherlands.

Salary of a Financial Controller

Many financial controllers start their career in a 'Big4'. With three to four years of audit experience, you have a good basis for an all-round financial reporting function, allowing you to grow into a job as a financial controller. Professionals with previous experience in general ledger accounting and a strong analytical understanding often progress to a financial controlling position. It often makes a perfect second step in a career as finance professional.

Financial controllers with a maximum of 5 years of relevant work experience earn between €45,000 and €71,000 gross in permanent employment. Salaries differ greatly depending on, among other things, the size of the organization and the sector in which the company operates. In most organizations this salary is supplemented with secondary employment conditions such as a company car and bonus. A financial controller with 5 to 9 years of work experience can expect a salary between €70,000 and €85,000. Senior financial controllers with more than 10 years of experience can count on a gross annual salary of around €100,000.

Salary of a Business Controller

A business controller acts as a strategic partner of the CEO, the COO and the CFO. In contrast to the financial controller, his or her range of tasks consists of operational matters rather than compliance, tax and accounting tasks.

The demand for business controllers has been huge for the last number of years. Digital transformation and the ongoing financial impact of the covid crisis kept business controllers much sought after. As a result, experienced business controllers have a strong negotiating position. A business controller with up to five years of experience can count on a gross annual salary between €50,000 and €70,000. From five to nine years of experience, the annual salary rises to around €95,000 and those with more than 10 years of experience in business control can count on a gross salary of up to around €115,000. Just like with financial controllers, this salary is supplemented with a wide range of secondary conditions.

Division Controller & Group Controller Salaries

Curious about the salary of a division controller, group controller and other finance positions? Request direct access to our salary survey. Here you will find salary trends, frequently requested skills and other insights into the labour market for finance professionals.

More information

Reach out to us at netherlands@robertwalters.com or tel. 020-644 4655.