Controlling Implementation in SAP S/4HANA: From Strategic Design to Business Value

Controlling in SAP S/4HANA represents a fundamental shift from the classic structures and logic of SAP ECC. Many familiar concepts have been modernized―or entirely reimagined―to meet current business demands and align with SAP’s evolving technological landscape.

For many organizations, the transition to SAP S/4HANA creates a rare opportunity to redesign fragmented Controlling landscapes, harmonize processes, simplify architectures, and establish a future-ready foundation aligned with SAP Best Practices and SAP’s strategic roadmap. However, these opportunities can only be realized when Controlling is approached not merely as a configuration task, but as a strategic design domain directly linked to business value creation.

Controlling Implementation in SAP S/4HANA: From Strategic Design to Business Value provides a structured framework for making key design decisions that shape long-term system architecture, enterprise steering capabilities, reporting transparency, and operational agility. The book explains the conceptual and functional changes introduced in SAP S/4HANA Controlling through direct comparisons with SAP ECC and demonstrates how strategic design choices influence transformation success far beyond technical go-live.

Designed for project and workstream leads, solution architects, SAP consultants, and client-side stakeholders, this book helps readers make informed Controlling design decisions that support scalable system architecture and measurable business value.

Readers Will Gain:

• A clear understanding of the strategic challenges and critical design topics in SAP S/4HANA Controlling 
• A structured framework for evaluating key design decisions and their impact on architecture, governance, and process harmonization
• Practical guidance for aligning Controlling solutions with SAP Best Practices and SAP’s long-term direction 
• The ability to make informed, future-proof decisions that support scalable architecture and long-term business value

This Book is for:

• SAP S/4HANA project and Controlling leads
• SAP S/4HANA system architects
• SAP S/4HANA CO consultants
• Client-side project management teams
• Corporate and business unit controllers on the client side

Aleksei Arziaev is a SAP Senior Manager at Accenture GmbH, based in the Munich office. His core expertise lies in SAP Controlling (CO), Project System (PS), and data migration management. In addition, he has hands-on experience in related areas such as SAP Portfolio and Project Management (PPM), Financial Accounting (FI), and cutover management.

Throughout his career, Aleksei has contributed to numerous SAP S/4HANA transformation projects, taking on various roles across different phases of delivery. In 2024, he published a practical guide Data Migration Management for SAP S/4HANA with Apress. He also holds a professional certification in SAP FI/CO.

Before transitioning into IT and SAP consulting, he spent 10 years working in strategic and operational planning roles within government organizations. Academically, he holds a master’s degree in Development Economics, as well as a degree in Management.