ADVISORY CFO
Your company faces critical moments that require specialised financial expertise - a transaction, a fundraising round, a major restructuring, or a complex accounting challenge. You need seasoned guidance to navigate these pivotal phases, but not necessarily an ongoing commitment. That's when our Advisory CFO services step in.
What we do
Advisory CFO services provide specific expertise for critical business phases. Unlike ongoing fractional services, we step in at pivotal moments to deliver specialised guidance, execute complex projects, and ensure you navigate transitions successfully.
Is your company ready for the next phase?
START-UP
The start-up phase is where ideas turn into action, requiring strategy, financial planning, industry connections, and capital raising.
GROWTH
The growth phase focuses on scaling, managing finances, expanding markets, and optimizing operations to sustain profitability.
MATURITY
Mature companies must sustain competitiveness, manage complex structures, ensure compliance, and optimise operations for continued growth.
EXIT
Successful transitions - whether through sale, merger, or leadership change - require strategic planning, valuation, and due diligence.
Phases of growth companies evolve through
Every business's life cycle has distinct phases, each with unique financial challenges.
Three Core Service Areas
CORPORATE FINANCE ADVISORY
When: You're buying, selling, raising capital, or preparing for a major transaction
What We Do:
Due Diligence
• Financial due diligence for acquisitions
• Vendor due diligence for sell-side transactions
• Quality of earnings analysis
• Working capital analysis
• Identification of financial risks and opportunities
• Red flag identification and mitigation strategies
Vendor Assistance
• Prepare your company for sale or transaction
• Financial information package preparation
• Data room organisation and management
• Vendor management within the transaction context
• Coordination with buyers, advisors, and legal teams
• Ensure seamless transition through the transaction process
Business Valuation
• Valuation for M&A; transactions
• Valuation for financial reporting purposes
• Valuation for tax planning and compliance
• Fair market value assessments
• Enterprise value calculations
• Multiple valuation methods (DCF, comparable companies, precedent transactions)
Fundraising Support
• Financial modelling for investor presentations
• Preparation of financial projections and scenarios
• Investment memorandum support
• Investor due diligence preparation
• Cap table modelling and analysis
Post-Merger Integration (PMI)
• Integration planning and execution
• Financial systems consolidation
• Harmonisation of accounting policies
• Synergy identification and tracking
• Integration of reporting structures
• Cultural and operational alignment support
COMPLEX ACCOUNTING ADVISORY
When: You face specific accounting challenges that require specialized expertise
What We Do:
Consolidation
• Consolidation for small and medium-sized groups under various GAAP
• IFRS consolidation (International Financial Reporting Standards)
• Swiss GAAP FER consolidation
• FRS 102 consolidation (UK/Ireland)
• Complex group structures and intercompany eliminations
• Foreign currency translation
• Preparation of consolidated financial statements
Internal Controls
• Assessment of existing internal control systems
• Design and implementation of internal control frameworks
• Segregation of duties analysis
• Process documentation and workflow optimisation
• Control testing and validation
• Remediation of control deficiencies
• Compliance with regulatory requirements (SOX, etc.)
Complex Accounting Issues
• Implementation of new accounting standards (IFRS 15, IFRS 16, etc.)
• Transition to IFRS from local GAAP
• Revenue recognition analysis and implementation
• Lease accounting implementation
• Financial instruments accounting (IFRS 9)
• Business combination accounting
• Impairment testing and fair value measurements
• Implementation of specific financial reporting tools
RESTRUCTURING & TURNAROUND
When: Your company needs to navigate financial distress or major operational changes
What We Do:
Financial Restructuring
• Cash flow analysis and improvement strategies
• Debt restructuring and refinancing support
• Working capital optimisation
• Cost reduction initiatives
• Profitability analysis by segment/product/customer
Turnaround Management
• Financial crisis assessment
• Stakeholder management and communication
• Restructuring plan development
• Implementation oversight
• Performance tracking and reporting
How we work
Advisory CFO services are project-based engagements designed to address specific challenges or opportunities. We work intensively during critical phases, delivering specialised expertise exactly when you need it most, without the commitment of an ongoing retainer.
PROJECT-BASED APPROACH:
SCOPING & ASSESSMENT
We begin with a thorough assessment of your specific challenge or opportunity. Understanding your objectives, timeline, and constraints allows us to design a tailored engagement scope.
EXECUTION
We deploy specialised expertise to execute the project. This may involve financial analysis, transaction support, system implementation, or complex problem-solving. We work intensively, often alongside your team and other advisors.
DELIVERY & HANDOVER
We deliver actionable results—whether that's a due diligence report, a valuation analysis, implemented systems, or resolved accounting challenges. Clear documentation ensures smooth handover and sustainable outcomes.
Key Characteristics:
Defined scope and timeline
Clear deliverables and outcomes
Intensive, focused engagement
Project-based fees (not retainer)
Specialized expertise for specific challenges
Can transition to Fractional CFO for ongoing needs post-project
Typical Engagement Duration:
✔ Due diligence: 2-8 weeks
✔ Valuations: 2-4 weeks
✔ System implementations: 3-6 months
✔ Consolidation projects: 1-3 months
✔ Transaction support: Duration of transaction + handover
Why Choose Us?
SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE, NOT GENERALISTS
We bring deep expertise in corporate finance and complex accounting - not general consulting. Our team has handled hundreds of transactions, consolidations, and complex accounting challenges across diverse industries.
WE'VE BEEN ON BOTH SIDES
Our experience spans both advisory (due diligence, valuations) and operational roles (CFO, audit). We understand what buyers look for, what auditors require, and what actually works in practice.
TOP-TIER METHODOLOGY AT ACCESSIBLE SCALE
We deliver the rigour and frameworks of top-tier consulting firms, adapted specifically for small and medium businesses. You get Big-4 quality without Big-4 fees.
NO CONFLICTS, COMPLETE FOCUS
As independent advisors, we have no conflicts of interest. Our only objective is your success - whether that's closing a transaction, implementing systems, or resolving complex issues.
RESPONSIVE & PRAGMATIC
Critical moments require speed and pragmatism. We deliver thorough analysis quickly, communicate clearly, and focus on actionable insights rather than theoretical recommendations.
SEAMLESS INTEGRATION WITH YOUR ECOSYSTEM
We work effectively alongside your accountants, lawyers, auditors, and other advisors. Our role is to complement, not compete with, your existing relationships.
Our Credentials
Our Team's Experience
✔ Swiss Chartered Accountants
✔ 15+ years in corporate finance, M&A;, and complex accounting
✔ Experience with top-tier consulting firms (Deloitte, Berney Associés, Smith & Williamson)
✔ Led sell-side due diligence for international transactions
✔ Prepared consolidated financial statements for pharmaceutical groups under IFRS (Big-4 audited)
✔ Valuations across multiple industries (retail, real estate, professional services)
✔ Corporate finance advisory for leading M&A; boutiques
✔ Cross-border transaction experience
Notable Projects:
★ Led sell-side due diligence in international campaign (sale of Quantis to BCG)
★ Preparation of consolidated financial statements for a pharmaceutical group under IFRS
★ Financial reporting for a jewellery manufacturer under IFRS
★ Valuations, financing, and corporate finance advisory for SMEs
★ Implementation of IFRS standards for various companies
★ Internal control assessments and implementations
★ Complex consolidation projects across multiple GAAP frameworks
Client Success Stories
"Ducommun played a key role in expediting our financial due diligence for a complex digital assets transaction.`Their expertise, responsiveness, and ability to navigate the digital assets market were invaluable. Despite a tight deadline, they delivered thorough, actionable insights, making the process smooth and efficient."
— Ahmed Elgabri, Senior Investment Professional
60%
of executives attribute deal failure to poor due diligence that did not identify critical issues
Bain & Company
US$ 170.60m
average transaction value in the Corporate Finance market in 2024
Statista
>50%
of occupational frauds occurred due to a lack of internal controls or an override of existing controls
ACFE
70%
of investors prefer global comparability of financial statements, which IFRS facilitates
CFA
FAQs
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Advisory CFO services are ideal for specific, time-bound projects or critical moments: transactions, fundraising, implementing new systems, resolving complex accounting issues, or preparing for major changes. Fractional CFO services are for ongoing strategic finance leadership. Many clients start with Advisory CFO for a specific project, then transition to Fractional CFO for ongoing support.
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Engagement duration varies by project type. Due diligence typically takes 2-8 weeks, valuations 2-4 weeks, system implementations 3-6 months, and transaction support lasts the duration of the transaction. We provide clear timelines during the scoping phase.
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Absolutely. We're designed to complement your existing relationships, not replace them. We work seamlessly alongside your accountants, lawyers, auditors, and other advisors. Our role is to provide specialised expertise for specific challenges.
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Many clients transition from Advisory CFO engagements to Fractional CFO services for ongoing support. If we've worked together on a transaction or implementation, we already understand your business deeply - making the transition to ongoing partnership natural and efficient.
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Yes. We have deep experience with IFRS, Swiss GAAP FER, FRS 102, and other accounting frameworks. We also support transitions between standards (e.g., local GAAP to IFRS).
