Situation
When a publicly traded industrial packaging manufacturer acquired a nine-figure private company, they knew integration would take time. What they didn’t anticipate was how much financial restructuring would be required.
Post-merger, financial systems were outdated, cash management was fragmented, and key processes were disconnected. On top of that, significant attrition left the finance team without leadership, creating gaps in institutional knowledge.
As invoicing, payments, and reporting slowed, the company needed an experienced leader, fast.
Action
Keenan Reid Strategies placed an Interim CFO to stabilize finance operations while the company searched for a permanent hire. Initially brough in for a three-month engagement, she quickly made an impact.
As part of this work, the consultant:
- Integrated financial operations at the acquired company’s headquarters and worked cross-functionally to achieve financial results.
- Enhanced key financial processes at new Mexican manufacturing facility, ensuring compliance.
- Assumed full CFO responsibilities and stabilized the team.
- Assessed financial team capabilities and built a roadmap for the organization’s future.
Results
As a result, our client successfully stabilized financial processes, ensuring compliance and operational continuity. They also prevented further attrition by structuring the finance team for future growth.
After nine months, the executive search ended – because our Interim CFO had already proven she was the right person for the job. The company converted her to full-time CFO, securing a leader who had already driven transformation from within.
