Customised CFO for SMEs - financial management that suits you
The demands on your financial management are changing - quickly, complexly and individually. Our CFO solutions adapt to your structures, your challenges and your resources.
Book a non-binding initial consultation nowWho we are there for
Balmer-Etienne covers a very broad spectrum in the SME sector. We provide our expertise in the following situations in particular:
- SMEs that require part-time strategic financial management
- Temporary relief in the event of vacancies or handovers such as maternity leave
- Organisations in financial difficulties that require advice on measures and implementation support
- Establishment and further development of your finance department
We can also offer additional resources or specialists at various hierarchical and functional levels as required.
Our CFO services at a glance
We can draw on a team with different personalities and experience to offer comprehensive services that go beyond the preparation of financial statements or bookkeeping: Financial management at eye level - by experienced experts:
- Advice as a financial sparring partner for management and / or the board of directors
- Financial planning, liquidity management & cash flow management
Regular reporting with analysis comments - Advice on issues relating to cost accounting and management accounting
- Advice on various accounting standards
How to get started with your customised CFO
- Initial meeting - We analyse your situation and goals
- Profile & requirements - Together we define the right type of CFO
- Matching & proposal - We present suitable profiles within a very short time
- Start assignment - Fast integration, flexible contract models, full confidentiality
Frequently asked questions about our CFO offer
How quickly can a CFO assignment start?
If time is of the essence, we will send you suitable profiles of candidates within 1-2 days, who will then be available to meet and get to know each other. As soon as you have made your decision, the contract is finalised and the CFO assignment can then begin. As a rule, however, it only makes sense to start once the relevant IT technical requirements have been met and access to the relevant systems is guaranteed.
What knowledge do your CFOs have?
This in turn depends heavily on the specific mandate and the circumstances. Depending on the desired profile, the focus is placed on specific knowledge of accounting standards (e.g. IFRS), project expertise or industry knowledge. It is also possible for the customised CFO to receive targeted support from specialists in the areas of payroll processing, taxes or reporting.
How long does a typical assignment last?
There are basically two different assignment models. On the one hand, there are long-term part-time assignments, some of which last for years. Here, the CFO we provide works on the mandate for 4 - 12 hours a week and fulfils a wide range of activities including attending management meetings. On the other hand, there are full-time engagements, which usually last between 6 weeks and 6 months. Often until a suitable replacement can be found and trained.
What does an external CFO cost?
The hourly rate varies depending on requirements and qualifications. In any case, we will transparently disclose the costs of the corresponding services to you in advance. As a rule, an external full-time CFO is more expensive than an internal CFO, but you have full flexibility when it comes to adjusting your workload at short notice.
What sets Balmer-Etienne apart from other providers?
We specialise in issues that affect SMEs and large companies operating in Switzerland with a turnover of up to around CHF 500 million and have a wide range of specialists who can be called in at short notice. Thanks to our experience, we also have templates and tried-and-tested methods that we can apply quickly and precisely.
