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Case study

Interim Head of Finance & Accounting

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At a PE-backed European IT service provider

A PE-backed, fast-growing IT service provider in German-speaking Europe is professionalizing its finance organization: An Interim Head of Finance is bringing stability to day-to-day business, supporting the rollout of a cloud ERP system, and creating scalable structures for further growth.

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Company

A European IT services company specialized in custom software development, cloud solutions, data/AI, and digital transformation.
The company was created through the merger of several technology units and pursues an ambitious buy-and-build and growth strategy.

The organization has an international reach, with several locations in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and over 1,000 employees. Growth has recently been supported by a renowned private equity investor.

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Business sector: IT services/digital transformation
Business model: Project & service business
Region: Germany, Austria, Switzerland/Europe
Ownership: Private equity-backed
Situation: Fast-growing, increasingly international service company

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Challenge

As the organization continued to scale up and become more professional, the company faced several parallel challenges in its finance department:

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Increasing complexity of financial and accounting structures due to growth and internationalization
Increased demands from management and investors for transparency, manageability and reporting
Simultaneous introduction of an integrated cloud ERP system (finance and accounting)
The local finance team had some temporary gaps in capacity and experience

The Managing Director of the Austrian unit needed an experienced Interim Head of Finance & Accounting with short notice to act as a consulting partner, ensuring stability in day-to-day business while driving forward strategic initiatives.

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Objectives

The goal of the interim mandate was to stabilize the finance department’s operations, continue its strategic development, and ensure the smooth implementation of the new finance system — in line with the expectations of management and investors.

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Central objectives:

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Providing a stable, efficient, and scalable finance structure
Effective technical support for the implementation of a cloud-based finance and accounting system
Strengthening financial expertise in the local management structure

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Implementation

The interim manager appointed by Atreus took on a central management and consulting role in the finance department at short notice.

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Consulting and governance

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Close cooperation with the Managing Director of the national subsidiary
Consulting with the Global Head of Finance on strategic and operational financial matters
Support with decision-making, prioritization, and governance issues

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System and transformation support

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Technical support during the rollout of a cloud-based finance and accounting system
Providing a clear map of finance and accounting processes in the new system
Coordination between finance, IT, external implementation partners, and management

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Operational leadership and support

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Temporary specialist leadership of the local finance team
Coaching employees in new processes, roles, and system logic
Ensuring operational performance during the transformation phase

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Accomplishments

Short-term results:

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Stabilization of the finance team despite ongoing transformation
Relieving the burden on management through reliable coaching and decision-making support
Clear structuring of financial issues for investors

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Medium-term effects:

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Successful integration of finance and accounting processes into the new cloud system
Increased transparency and process reliability in the finance department
Stonger and more skilled finance teams at the local level

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Long-term added value:

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Scalable finance structures to fuel further growth
Improved control and reporting capabilities for management and investors
Sustainable professionalization of financial functioning in an international setup

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