Accounting​/Controlling Analyst - R&D

Accounting/Controlling Analyst - R&D

Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €19.7 billion in 2025 and currently employs around 76,000 people in 54 countries and markets.

Tire solutions from the Tires group sector make mobility safer, smarter, and more sustainable. Its premium portfolio encompasses car, truck, bus, two-wheel, and specialty tires as well as smart solutions and services for fleets and tire retailers. Continental has been delivering top performance for more than 150 years and is one of the world's largest tire manufacturers. In fiscal 2025, the Tires group sector generated sales of 13.8 billion euros.

Continental's tire division currently employs around 53,000 people worldwide and has 19 production and 16 development sites.

The R&D Controlling Analyst is responsible for financial planning, analysis, reporting, and controlling activities supporting the US R&D organization across Uvalde, TX;
Auburn Hills, MI; and Fort Mill, SC. The position is based in Uvalde, Texas, where the analyst serves as the on-site financial partner to the local R&D team, while also providing Controlling support to the R&D teams in Auburn Hills and Fort Mill.

The role operates as an integral member of the global R&D Controlling organization, requiring close and regular collaboration with R&D Controlling colleagues in Germany. Germany-based Controlling colleagues are part of the same global team, with shared processes, priorities, and responsibilities.

The position combines local presence in Uvalde Proving Grounds, multi-location US R&D support, and global teamwork, ensuring financial transparency, effective cost management, and alignment of the US R&D organization with global R&D Controlling processes and objectives.

The analyst is expected to understand the underlying R&D activities and business drivers, translate financial information into actionable insights, proactively identify risks and opportunities, challenge assumptions when appropriate, and support informed decision-making across the supported R&D locations.

Responsibilities include budgeting, forecasting, cost and headcount controlling, financial reporting and analysis and accruals.

Business Partnership & R&D Support

• Serve as the on-site Controlling partner for the Uvalde Proving Grounds team, maintaining close collaboration with site leadership and operational colleagues.
• Provide Controlling support to the R&D teams in Auburn Hills and Fort Mill, ensuring consistent financial transparency and support across the US R&D organization.
• Build strong working relationships with R&D colleagues across all three U.S. locations.
• Understand R&D activities and translate operational developments and decisions into their financial impact.
• Support R&D teams with budgeting, forecasting, cost management, headcount planning, financial analysis, and decision support.
• Provide transparency regarding financial performance, key drivers, risks, and opportunities.
• Challenge assumptions constructively and support R&D colleagues in identifying financially sound solutions.
• Ensure alignment between financial data and operational reality across the supported R&D locations.

Global Collaboration

• Operate as an active member of the global R&D Controlling team.
• Work closely and regularly with R&D Controlling colleagues in Germany as part of the same global organization.
• Actively participate in global R&D Controlling processes, planning cycles, projects, meetings, and team activities.
• Facilitate effective communication and alignment between the US R&D teams and the global R&D Controlling organization.
• Work effectively across geographic locations, cultures, and time zones.
• Demonstrate reasonable flexibility in working hours to accommodate the time-zone difference with Germany when required for team meetings, planning and forecasting cycles, month-end activities, projects and other business-critical topics.
• Balance strong local ownership, multi-location US support, and global team collaboration.

What You Bring To The Role

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or related field
• 2-5+ years of relevant experience in Controlling, Accounting, FP&A, or Finance
• Prior Accounting experience
• Solid understanding of accounting principles, budgeting, forecasting, cost controlling, and financial reporting
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate financial data into business insights
• Strong proficiency in Excel and Power BI
• Strong communication skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Comfortable working as part of a global R&D Controlling team, including close collaboration with colleagues in Germany and some flexibility for time-zone differences.
• Ability to work regularly on-site in Uvalde, TX, while supporting R&D teams in Auburn Hills, MI, and Fort Mill, SC, with periodic travel as needed.
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required.…