From full-time job to award-winning master's thesis: An interview with Noah Samuel Erb

Balancing a position as an Assistant Vice President at Deutsche Bank with a part-time master's degree while writing an award-winning thesis – for Noah Samuel Erb, this was the path to second place at the 2026 EFF Finance Award from the European Finance Forum. In this interview, he explains why he chose the part-time Master’s in Controlling and Financial Management at CBS International Business School, how he managed to juggle a full-time job with his studies, and how the insights from his master's thesis help him in his day-to-day work.

"I am thrilled that my master's thesis was awarded second place at the EFF Finance Awards. It highlights how crucial the responsible integration of artificial intelligence is for the future viability of bank management. A big thank you to the EFF for this recognition, and I look forward to the exchange at upcoming industry events." - Noah Samuel Erb

Why the part-time Master’s in Controlling and Financial Management at CBS?

After completing his dual bachelor's degree in business administration, it was important for Noah to continue combining theory and practice, which is why he consciously chose a part-time master's programme:

"After my dual bachelor's in business administration, it was important to me to keep theory and practice closely linked. The Master’s in Controlling & Financial Management at CBS offered the ideal focus areas and was perfectly compatible with my professional commitments," says Noah.

Assistant Vice President at Deutsche Bank: Cost Management in the Private Bank division

Noah works at Deutsche Bank alongside his studies. He describes his responsibilities there as follows:

"As an Assistant Vice President at Deutsche Bank, I work in the Global Cost & FTE Management department within the Private Bank division. My core tasks include operational and strategic cost management, ensuring compliance with various guidelines, and the continuous optimization and management of controlling processes for various service areas."

Time management and discipline: The personal and professional benefits of the programme

The dual burden of a full-time job and his studies has helped Noah grow not only professionally but also personally:

"Professionally, I was able to significantly expand my methodological knowledge in controlling, which directly helps me tackle complex analytical tasks. Personally, the dual burden of a full-time job and studies taught me to structure my time even more efficiently and to work with discipline toward long-term goals," says Noah.

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Finding the topic: AI in controlling at major banks

The research question for his award-winning master's thesis came directly from Noah's professional life:

"In banking practice, I experience daily how the demand for faster, data-driven decisions is growing, which is why AI is an enormous lever for planning, forecasting, and reporting. The tension between this huge technological potential and the strict regulatory requirements for major banks is what fascinated me most about the topic," he explains.

From number cruncher to data translator: Insights for everyday work

Noah also applies the findings from his master's thesis to his own daily work:

"The most important insight is that the best algorithm is worthless if the data foundation and governance structures are not right. Furthermore, it is clear that the role of controlling is inevitably shifting from a mere 'number cruncher' to a strategic 'data translator' due to automation," says Noah.

Applying for the EFF Finance Award

Noah did not come across the European Finance Forum's call for entries on his own:

"My thesis supervisor, Mike, brought the call for entries to my attention and inspired me to submit my work. Since exploring the potential of AI in the financial sector is right in line with the current zeitgeist of the industry, I was happy to seize the opportunity," says Noah.

EFF Membership: Networking with the Industry

In addition to the prize money, Noah receives a one-year membership to the European Finance Forum. What this means for him personally:

"I am very excited about the one-year membership, as it gives me the chance to engage with an excellent network of industry experts. It is a fantastic opportunity to delve deeper into current industry trends and technological developments in the financial world through exciting events," says Noah.

Noah’s journey shows just how much personal and professional growth can come from a part-time master's programme, especially when your job and studies are closely integrated. If you are considering pursuing a master's degree while working and want to balance your career and studies, the CBS University of Applied Sciences offers various programmes with personalized support and a practical focus.