Background
In the series 'situations from practice' we share a case in our newsletter that we recently tackled...
One of our clients, a fast-growing international e-commerce company, was experiencing a sharp increase in their activities. The demand for financial reporting, cost efficiency analyzes and cash flow management became increasingly important to support growth in a sustainable way. Their current financial team, which mainly consisted of junior employees and a financial controller, encountered capacity problems. They lacked experience and expertise in complex financial analyses, business strategy and risk management. Our client decided to hire an experienced Interim Finance professional to support them in optimizing their financial processes. Due to the urgency and the specific area of expertise needed, they chose to look for an Interim Finance Professional through Ypsylon HR Group.
he biggest challenge was finding an Interim Finance Professional who had both strategic insight and operational strength. Our client needed someone with experience in fast-paced, volatile markets, who could help establish cash flow forecasting, improve cost efficiency, while contributing to strategic decision-making at board level. In addition, the candidate had to be available within two weeks and be able to quickly switch between different financial systems and business processes, as there was no time for a long training period.
We received a clear briefing from our client's HR Manager and CFO. Within 48 hours we presented a selection of three suitable candidates. All three had extensive experience in e-commerce and international trade, and a strong background in corporate finance and cash flow management. After a number of intensive discussions with the CFO and CEO of the company, an Interim Finance Professional with more than 10 years of experience in financial leadership positions at comparable companies was chosen. Our Interim Finance Professional had successfully supported companies in growth and transformation processes, was familiar with the financial challenges of e-commerce companies, and had the necessary expertise in cash flow management, financial reporting and strategy.
Result
Our candidate started as an Interim Finance Professional within two weeks of the first interview. Within a month she had optimized the financial processes by:
- Cash Flow Management: Our Interim Finance Professional prepared a cash flow forecast that took into account both the short and long term needs of the business, allowing our client to better manage their liquidity.
- Cost Analysis and Optimization: Our Interim Finance Professional introduced a detailed cost efficiency analysis, allowing our client to quickly identify where cost savings could be achieved without compromising the quality of operations.
- Reporting structure: Our Interim Finance Professional implemented a new, automated reporting system, which made financial reporting more efficient and gave management faster access to crucial figures.
- Strategic Advisory: Our Interim Finance Professional acts as a direct point of contact for the CFO and management team and contributed to strategic decision-making, combining data analysis and financial trends to support business growth.
Thanks to the mediation of the right Interim Finance Professional, our client was able to relieve the internal pressure on their finance department and take important strategic steps in their growth path. The interim solution not only resolved the operational challenges, but also had a positive impact on the company's long-term strategy. Ultimately, during the interim period, we were asked to also advertise a permanent vacancy for Finance Manager. We have now also carefully managed to realize this mediation. This practical example once again shows how crucial our Finance Professionals can be in supporting a company that is experiencing rapid international growth.
