Many people wonder how a consultant finds their place within a client’s organization. Is there a clear role and meaningful day-to-day responsibilities?

NIS consultant Rebecca Kero worked for six months as an Interim Business Controller at Bonava, where she covered for an employee on parental leave. At Bonava, Rebecca received a warm welcome and quickly found her place within the construction group.

The Bonava Group is one of Europe’s leading residential developers. In Sweden, Bonava operates in strong growth regions such as Stockholm and other major metropolitan areas, as well as in Malmö and Gothenburg. The company focuses on quality and sustainability, where responsibility is a central part of the business. This sustainability focus was also one of the factors that sparked Rebecca’s interest. But what did her day-to-day work actually look like?

“In the consultant role, it can be challenging that information often needs to be gathered from different sources, and that you need to manage a certain level of uncertainty. At Bonava, the information was always clearly structured and easily accessible, which helped me develop as a specialist within the construction industry.”

In her role as Business Controller, Rebecca primarily worked with monthly reporting, cash flow forecasts, and cost follow-ups. She received a thorough introduction, clear guidelines, and well-defined responsibilities, which created both structure and flexibility in her work. Bonava’s clarity regarding expected outcomes also facilitated a fast onboarding.

“In the consultant role, it can be challenging that information often needs to be gathered from different sources, and that you need to manage a certain level of uncertainty. At Bonava, the information was always clearly structured and easily accessible, which helped me develop as a specialist within the construction industry. In addition, it was easy to ask questions, which helped me quickly get into the role, the industry, and the ways of working,” Rebecca continues.

“In the construction industry, I have been challenged by revenue recognition and tax issues, which require a different way of thinking,” Rebecca explains. “I joined the company during an exciting period in the business year, where I worked with both budgeting and year-end closing. In the construction sector, you need to take a long-term perspective, which can be challenging in today’s environment. At Bonava, I learned how the company handles these challenges.”

Despite Bonava being a large organization, Rebecca experienced a very warm reception:

“It felt like I quickly became a valued part of the team as a consultant, where everyone was included in the joint work. It was easy to integrate into the company culture and to participate in social activities such as lunches and after-work events. The organization felt secure and open, with a strong culture that encouraged development and new ideas. Even though large organizations can sometimes be perceived as bureaucratic, it felt like everyone was working towards the same goal—and that I was part of it.”

The timing was also particularly interesting, as the construction industry was facing challenges related to inflation, rising interest rates, and declining consumer demand. In an uncertain environment, external perspectives can be valuable. An interim Business Controller can serve as important support—with the right expertise, new perspectives, and quick availability when the need arises.

Bonava was so satisfied with Rebecca’s contribution that she continued working with the company during the autumn of 2023.

“It was very enjoyable to return to the construction industry, where you get to follow how budgets are transformed into sustainably built homes,” Rebecca concludes.

Thank you for the collaboration!