Coffee Assurance Services

As interim CFO and adviser, Ruben Faust built the commercial functions at Coffee Assurance Services – an international NGO from Bonn (€4m revenue, 10 employees) – after the spin-off and led the sale to an investor. The reporting line was to the managing director and board.

Situation

After being carved out from the parent organisation, the entity needed a standalone commercial base – from accounting to IT – and a solid foundation for the planned sale to an external investor.

Challenge & Brief

The brief: fully build accounting, controlling, IT, admin and HR after the spin-off, value the company, prepare and execute the spin-off to an external investor, and develop a sales and customer-pricing strategy.

Approach & Result

Ruben Faust built the commercial functions from the ground up, implemented a suitable ERP (Odoo), prepared the company valuation and steered the spin-off – including pricing and sales strategy – successfully to the external investor.

Achievements & Business-Partnering Results

• Build-up of accounting, controlling, IT, admin and HR after the spin-off
• Strategic and operational support during and after the spin-off
• Preparation and execution of the spin-off to an external investor
• Company valuation
• Development of the sales and customer pricing strategy
• Advisory and business partnering for the CEO on legal and financial matters

• FAQ: Does an interim CFO support carve-outs and spin-offs?
• FAQ: Is an interim CFO worthwhile for smaller companies too?
• FAQ: What does an interim CFO do?
• Guide: hybrid forms of advisory and interim leadership
• Guide: which system fits which structure

»A very pleasant collaboration. I was impressed above all by his foresight, his ability to structure and his clarity.«— Gustavo Bacchi, Managing Director