Study Program
Highlights
- Economic control of all company activities (Controlling)
- Shaping a company’s financial and risk positions
- Strategic management
- Leadership and communication competence
Organization
Type of degree program
Part-time (PT)
Classes on two to four days per week (depending on the semester); starting at 18:30, sometimes blocked or at the weekend, occasionally in the afternoons
Language of instruction
German (single modules in English)
Study-abroad semester
Possible
Optional Double Degree Program with UIC (Universitat
Internacional de Catalunya) in Barcelona with focus on “Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital and Private Equity”
Start of the degree program
Always at the beginning of the winter semester in September
Place of study
wko campus wien, Währinger Gürtel 97, 1180 Vienna
(U6 metro station Währinger Straße/Volksoper)
Application
Information events
To the dates of the information events
Application
- Deadlines & Dates
- Admission requirements Master’s Programs
- Specific admissions procedure MA Financial Management & Controlling
Costs
€ 363.36 per semester (excl. Austrian students’ union fee)
Brush-up courses
Focus & Qualifications
Financial leadership describes the sum of the requirements that a leader in finance has to fulfill these days. Part of the challenge is bringing together differences: expert and personal know-how, internal and external accounting, leadership and controlling.
Excellent expert knowledge is a matter of course these days – going further means understanding complex and new content quickly and making the right decision in a critical situation. We have divided these requirements into four large teaching modules. These modules place the emphasis of the Master’s degree program in Financial Management & Controlling on:
Securing of proper corporate governance (regulatory systems)
The legal requirements for CFOs are varied and range from the creation of the annual financial statement to the responsibility of being part of executive management to corporate governance.
Shaping a company’s financial and risk positions (risk and financial management)
Good understanding of capital markets and correct risk management are success factors by which CFOs determine the development of their company.
Yield enhancement of all business activities (decision and control systems)
CFOs are integrated in every sector of a company due to budgeting and reporting. They therefore need to have an in-depth understanding of the value chain.
Managing staff (management techniques & personal development)
Because of profit responsibility, CFOs are not just responsible for there own team, but are in fact indirectly responsible for all employees in a company.
The Department of Management at FHWien der WKW is pleased to be able to offers its students the course “Certified Management Accountant (CMA)” as part of its Master’s degree program. The head of the course is Prof. Dr. Christian Kreuzer, the CEO of Controller Institute (CI) in Vienna. More information about the CMA program can be found by clicking on the following link: http://www.imanet.org/cma-certification/cma-certification-overview
Curriculum
Know more – do more
The requirements of the labor market are growing and growing – making it increasingly important to be “fit for the job” after completing your degree program. Curricula are improved on an ongoing basis so as to fit in with developments in the working world and new international trends. This is to prepare our graduates for the beginning of – or the next step in – their careers. Our motto spans from “know more” to “do more” – meaning that we focus more on practical strengths learned. Teaching, learning and exams at FHWien der WKW are completed in modules. This means: Topic blocks make up modules, and at the end of the module there is an exam.
What is a module?
A module is a teaching unit consisting of multiple topic blocks, which are thematically linked and cover a specific area relevant to the degree program. In this module, clearly defined skills will be developed, with an examination of all sub elements at the end.
How does it help students?
Teaching is directed towards learning outcomes. Competency-based learning and fewer exams – which are integrated and more comprehensive – make up the curricula. Students’ personal development and their employability in business is our central goal.
| Module | ECTS |
| Financial & Economic Principles Establishing a common understanding of business management |
6 |
| Financial Markets & Risk Management Capital Markets, Risk Management & Venture Capital Financing |
6 |
| Managerial Accounting Concepts & Business Simulation | 6 |
| Sustainable Business Strategy Strategic Change, Responsible Business |
6 |
| Empirical Methods of Social Research Academic Writing & Qualitative Research, Quantitative Methods & Concept |
6 |
| Module | ECTS |
| Monetary Economics Macroeconomics and economic policy with special consideration of financial markets |
6 |
| Business Valuation & Compliance | 6 |
| Business Planning, Performance Management & Sustainability Reporting Sustainability & ESG Reporting, Business Planning & Performance Management |
6 |
| Project & Negotiation Skills Project Management Advanced, Negotiation Techniques |
6 |
| Master Thesis 1 – Concept | 6 |
| Module | ECTS |
| Competitiveness and Business Architecture Intra-organizational and inter-organizational forces for sustainable competitiveness |
6 |
| International Accounting IFRS, US GAAP valuation differences and their effects, case studies |
6 |
| Business Analytics & ERP Systems Business Analytics Advanced, ERP Systems SAP Advanced |
6 |
| Leadership Skills Conflict Management & Mediation |
6 |
| Master Thesis 2 – Theory | 6 |
| Module | ECTS |
| Balance Sheet Analysis and Accounting Policy Analysis and preparation of the annual financial statements using discretionary powers |
6 |
| Modern Concepts of Corporate Management | 6 |
| Leadership Change Management, Leadership Dynamics |
6 |
| Master Thesis 3 – Empiricism | 6 |
| Master’s Examination | 6 |
Jobs & Career
Having graduated from the Master’s degree program in Financial Management & Controlling you will have all the skills and knowledge at your fingertips to take up a job in one of the following areas:
- In large and medium-sized companies e.g. financial director, CFO
- In a company department i.e. head of accounting, head of business controlling
- In a bank e.g. head of risk management, head of asset management
- In an auditing or tax advising company, e.g. as business unit leader, partner
- In a management consultancy, e.g. as business unit leader, partner
Application
Curious about our study program? Inform yourself about the requirements and the admissions procedure at FHWien der WKW.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here you will find the most frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ) about the Master’s program in Financial Management & Controlling:
Study program
The Master’s program in Financial Management & Controlling enables our graduates to advance to management positions in the field of financial management and controlling.
The program focuses on
- Corporate finance and controlling
- Structuring financial and risk positions (financial risk management)
- Economic control of all corporate activities (controlling)
- Accounting and compliance
- Operational and strategic corporate management
- Leadership and communication skills
- Analytical and methodological skills
- Business analytics & ERP systems
In addition, you will use modern systems such as Bloomberg, Power BI and SAP HANA in the lectures.
The Master’s program in Financial Management & Controlling is mainly taught in German. Individual modules are taught in English.
At FHWien der WKW, you study real business. All study programs have a very high practical relevance. Two-thirds of our lecturers come directly from the business world and pass on their expertise and professional experience to our students.
Exciting projects and case studies with cooperation partners from the business world round off the practical training.
The Master’s program in Financial Management & Controlling is suitable for individuals who have already completed a relevant Bachelor’s degree and are aiming for a management position in the field of financial management & controlling.
Organization
The Master’s program in Financial Management & Controlling lasts a total of 4 semesters.
The Master’s program in Financial Management & Controlling is offered exclusively on a part-time basis.
Classes take place two to four days per week, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Some classes are also held in blocks or on weekends and occasionally in the afternoons.
The distance learning component accounts for 35 to 45% of the program.
For the Master’s program in Financial Management & Controlling, you should plan on spending an average of approximately 40 hours per week (lectures and self-study).
The part-time program is designed to enable working professionals to efficiently combine their careers with their studies.
No, proof of employment is not required. Due to the flexible schedule, part-time studies give working professionals the opportunity to efficiently combine their career and studies. However, employment is not mandatory.
International
A semester abroad is optional in the part-time Master’s program in Financial Management & Controlling and can be completed at partner universities.
A semester abroad is an unforgettable experience and offers a unique opportunity to get to know foreign cultures, improve foreign language skills and make international friends. It is also a great asset on your resume.
FHWien der WKW also offers a dual degree program with UIC Barcelona in the field of “Entrepreneurial Financing, Venture Capital & Private Equity,” in which students complete a semester abroad in their third semester, which counts toward their Master’s degree at FHWien der WKW. To successfully complete the dual degree program, students must also have subject-specific professional experience and write a Master’s thesis in English according to the criteria of both universities.
FHWien der WKW cooperates with approximately 160 partner universities worldwide. An overview of our partner universities can be found here. Please note that not every partner institution is suitable for every study program. You can use the map to filter which partner universities are suitable for your study program.
Career & Job
No, you do not have to complete a professional internship in the Master’s program in Financial Management & Controlling.
Upon completion of the Master’s program in Financial Management & Controlling, you will be awarded the academic degree Master of Arts in Business (MA).
Thanks to our practical training, our graduates are highly sought after on the job market. Exciting career prospects are open to our alumni:
- Controlling and accounting
- Treasury, corporate finance, financial analysis
- Risk management/asset management
- Commercial management
- Fiduciary services or auditing
- Operations management
- Management consulting
FHWien der WKW has its own job platform for students and graduates. In the Career Center, you will find exciting jobs and internships from companies in various industries. The platform also provides helpful career and application tips.
Once a year in fall, FHWien der WKW also holds its Career Day. This career fair offers a free CV check and an application photo shoot. You can also get in touch with exciting companies and find out about current job vacancies.
Costs & Subsidies
Tuition fees amount to € 363.36 per semester for EU and EEA citizens, Swiss citizens and third-country nationals with exceptional circumstances. Third-country nationals who do not qualify for exceptional circumstances are required to pay different tuition fees.
In addition to the tuition fees, the ÖH contribution and the special contribution of € 25.20 per semester must be paid.
A detailed list of costs and exceptions for third-country nationals can be found here.
(As of August 2025)
Under certain conditions, students are entitled to various forms of financial support (e.g. study grants, travel allowances, insurance contributions, childcare allowances) and scholarships (e.g. graduation scholarships, self-support scholarships). The ÖH FHWien is available to answer any questions you may have.
In accordance with the Study Grant Act (Studienförderungsgesetz), merit-based scholarships are also awarded each year for outstanding achievements in the previous academic year. The amount of each scholarship is determined annually by the Federal Ministry of Science and Research and ranges from EUR 726.72 (double tuition fees) to EUR 1,500.00. You will be informed annually about the application and award process by mail.
(As of August 2025)
Application
All information on admission requirements, the admissions procedure, dates and deadlines, as well as helpful downloads, instructions and FAQ can be found here.
Start of studies
The program begins each year in the fall semester in September.
There is a kick-off event for first-semester students, where you can meet the Head of Program and lecturers as well as your fellow students and receive important initial information about the university of applied sciences and your study program.