Interim CFO and Controller for Finance & Controlling

We typically present you with suitable profiles within 24 to 36 hours. As soon as we receive your request, we match your requirements with our curated network—whether you need an interim CFO for a restructuring, an FP&A specialist for the planning process, or an IFRS expert for the annual financial statements. We clarify availability, areas of expertise, and team fit in advance so you can get started right away with the right candidate. A precise briefing on the assignment, timeframe, and stakeholder environment is crucial—it enables us to make an accurate pre-selection without wasting time.

Typical triggers include an unexpected departure from financial management, an upcoming annual or consolidated financial statement with capacity constraints, the implementation of a new reporting or planning system, a restructuring with increased liquidity pressure, or preparation for an investor round. Companies also specifically rely on external expertise when implementing new accounting standards (IFRS, ESG reporting) or switching finance systems (e.g., Lucanet, Tagetik). Together, we determine which profile best fits the specific situation.

For us, matching means more than just professional expertise: We take into account corporate structure, leadership culture, team size, stakeholder composition, and the specific scope of responsibilities. An interim CFO for a private equity-backed portfolio company requires a different profile than a Head of Controlling at a medium-sized company focused on the German Commercial Code (HGB). That’s why we conduct a structured briefing session before every recommendation and carefully align the expert’s personality and work style with your specific setup.

Yes—our finance and controlling experts are not consultants in the traditional sense; rather, they assume operational responsibility: They lead finance teams, prepare financial statements, manage liquidity, are responsible for reporting to shareholders and supervisory boards, and actively drive projects such as finance transformation or system implementations. We clarify the exact scope of responsibility during the briefing so that expectations on both sides are clear from the start.

An interim CFO assumes full strategic and operational financial responsibility—including leadership, communication with investors and banks, and decision-making authority at the executive level. A freelance financial controller typically operates at the technical level: they are responsible for reporting, planning, cost accounting, and financial statement preparation, without necessarily holding leadership responsibilities. Which profile is the right fit depends on your organizational structure, the maturity of your finance function, and your specific needs—we’ll clarify this together during our initial consultation.

The following details will help us make an accurate pre-selection: company size and structure, relevant finance functions and key responsibilities, desired start date and duration of assignment, relevant accounting standards (HGB, IFRS), financial systems in use, team size and management responsibilities, stakeholder environment, and specific requirements such as industry experience or language skills. The more precise the briefing, the faster and more accurate the placement—we’re happy to provide structured support throughout the process.

A finance consultant is usually brought in around a defined event: a financing round, an IFRS conversion, a liquidity squeeze or an unplanned departure in the finance team. Typical corporate finance advisory services range from business planning and valuation support through to due diligence readiness. Our financial consultants also cover the operational side — reporting, month-end close, treasury — so that corporate finance services and day-to-day controlling come from one network.