Successful CFO Ad Interim Placement for a Global Healthcare Company

Introducing our Client

Our Client is a science-led global healthcare company with a mission: they want to help people to do more, feel better, live longer. They have 3 global businesses that research, develop and manufacture innovative pharmaceutical medicines, vaccines and consumer healthcare products. 

Roles and Responsibilities of the CFO Ad Interim

Our client needed a CFO ad interim able to fulfill the five following tasks

1. Provide finance strategy and insights

2. Lead business and performance processes

• Manage financial planning and analysis department,
• Achieve and assess financial performance of organization regarding long-term goals, budgets and forecasts,
• Sponsor digital transformation of processes, tools and systems,
• Develop and maintain monthly operating budget and annual company operating budget.

3. Lead tax and accounting

• Lead reviews of all month-end closing activities including general ledger accounts, balance sheet accounts and overhead cost allocation; supervise preparation and communication of monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements, lead preparations reviews f local and federal tax returns,
• Improve coordination between regional finance teams and shared services center to achieve further efficiency. 

4. Supervise treasury

• Manage cash flow planning process and ensure funds availability, 
• Supervise Accounts Receivable management and provide guidance relating to the collection process, 
• Oversee weekly cash management and accounts payables stocks while ensuring related operations.

5. Lead Statutory and Internal audit reviews

• Serve as a key point of contact for external auditors, Manage preparation and support of all external audits,
• Review and ensure application of appropriate internal controls and financial procedures.

Our Approach to Find the Right Match

1. Determining the Client Needs:

We met our Client to understand quickly requirements and translated these into a mission description and key search criteria.

2. Search and Selection of Freelacers:

Based on our algorithm and people knowledge, we searched on our different talent pools for the specific expertise and experiences, contacted our freelancers, and then prioritized based on motivation, expectations, availability, location and (wide range of) rate.

3. Talents Shortlist:

In a very short period of time, we set up a shortlist and communicated 5 profiles to the end client with following information : profile summary, screening & interviews summary, outcome of Clients references checks, Curriculum Vitae (inc. above mentioned items.

4. Interviews with Client:

The Client decided to interview 2 short listed candidates. We set up the meetings and attended these. Their fit with the CFO ad interim position was quickly highlighted and the final decision was taken by the head of Business Unit.

5. Candidate Placement:

Once our Client confirmed this person, our freelancer was starting his assignment in less than a week.

6. Project Follow-Up:

We followed-up closely to ensure the fit with the team.

Success and Results

• CFO ad interim mission delivered successfully
• Integration with the Team and other SBUs achieved
• New "Finance Business Partner" organization set-up (on top of initial scope)
• Mission timeframe: 12 months (5 days a week)

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