International Interim CFO: role, fees and process
An interim CFO takes responsibility for finance leadership for an agreed period. CFO stands for Chief Financial Officer. Manfred Schönberger supports companies internationally through vacancies, turnaround and change. Based in Winikon in the canton of Lucerne, he works with your team on site, in a hybrid arrangement or remotely.
A vacancy before the monthly or annual close
Your finance leader is unavailable while closing and reporting deadlines approach. An interim CFO leads the team, prioritises outstanding closing tasks and agrees responsibilities with management and the auditors. Workload and timing depend on the tasks ahead and availability.
What responsibilities does an interim CFO take on?
The scope may include leading the finance team, planning cash and earnings, and coordinating monthly and annual closing. Reporting and budgets give management a basis for identifying variances and deciding what to do next.
Cash pressure and an uncertain outlook
Customers pay later, inventory ties up cash or margins fall. The interim CFO combines actual figures and assumptions in a cash flow forecast. Sales, procurement and operations agree actions, owners and decision dates. Management gains a basis for aligning financing with operational priorities.
Integration after an acquisition
Following an acquisition, finance teams, closing calendars and reporting need to work together. The interim CFO clarifies responsibilities, aligns metrics and account structures, and coordinates financial integration with system owners. Day-to-day operations and integration tasks each receive clear priorities.
Vacancy cover or an ongoing fractional role
A vacancy assignment works towards handing over to the next finance leader. A fractional CFO supports management regularly at an agreed part-time capacity. We decide which model fits by reviewing your organisation and the tasks that currently remain unresolved.
How your interim CFO assignment starts
The free initial consultation covers your situation, urgency and decision-making responsibilities. If the need is clear, we agree tasks, workload, responsibility and a start date directly for the assignment. We use a flexible retainer based on effort. If an initial diagnosis is needed, you can choose the Finance & Performance Check as a separate fixed-fee assessment.
Preparing the handover
The assignment should leave a finance function your team can run. Documented processes, understandable reports and clear ownership therefore form part of delivery. We agree which responsibilities return to your team and where further support is useful.
Preparing for the initial consultation
A short description of your situation, key deadlines and the responsibilities to be covered helps structure the discussion. We discuss the workload you need, your finance team’s resources and collaboration with management. This forms the basis for the possible scope and next steps.
Experience in international finance leadership
Manfred Schönberger brings more than 20 years of experience in international companies. His background includes finance leadership roles at GE Gas Power, Alstom Power and Siemens VDO / Continental, as well as interim CFO assignments with Swiss SMEs. His work connects finance leadership and controlling with finance process development and ERP transformation.
From practice: industry and trading
The following articles draw on assignments in industry and trading. They show how finance leadership, process work and system expertise connect.
Scenario planning under margin and cash pressure
Delayed orders, lower margins and later customer payments change financial headroom. The article describes work on an agreed financial baseline, documented assumptions and thresholds for decisions. AI supports preparation; finance leaders and management remain responsible for review and action.
Read the scenario planning article
D365 process analysis in trading
During an assignment in the trading sector, Manfred Schönberger led process analysis for a D365 implementation. The brief covered capturing all current processes with AI support and conducting the subsequent fit-gap analysis. The article explains the requirements for discovery, professional review and the basis for decisions.
Questions about the assignment
Can the assignment be part-time?
Yes. Workload and duration are agreed around the tasks. Both temporary vacancy cover and an ongoing fractional assignment are possible.
Do you also act as an interim head of finance in Switzerland?
Yes. Based in Winikon in the canton of Lucerne, Manfred Schönberger supports companies as an interim CFO or head of finance in Switzerland and internationally. Each assignment defines the leadership and operational responsibilities, together with decision-making authority.
Where do you work?
FinanceInterim is based in Winikon in the canton of Lucerne. We support companies internationally. Location, working language, time zones and on-site, hybrid or remote arrangements are agreed for each assignment.
How much does an interim CFO cost?
FinanceInterim agrees a flexible retainer based on effort. Tasks, workload and duration determine the scope. The Finance & Performance Check provides a fixed-fee initial assessment; specific terms are set out in the proposal.
How does an interim CFO assignment start?
After the free initial consultation, we can agree the assignment directly if the interim need is clear. We define tasks, workload, responsibility and a start date. A Finance & Performance Check is optional when the starting position needs further assessment.
Related expertise
Discuss the next step
In a free initial consultation, we discuss your situation and the scope of support. International, on site, hybrid or remotely.