When Celsius’ Head of Finance for Europe moved to the company’s headquarters in the United States, the organization found itself in a challenging situation. The CFO role became temporarily vacant, and before a permanent replacement could be recruited, a fast and controlled solution was needed to ensure continuity in the finance function. Celsius, known for its energy drinks, turned to its partner NIS to secure operations during the recruitment process.

As interim CFO, Alexander Franzén from NIS’s Swedish office was appointed. With his strong background in auditing and experience in analysis, he matched the client’s needs well.

On short notice, the team was also strengthened by NIS consultant Pontus Kaneberg, who took on a combined role as Financial and Business Controller. Finding the right competence quickly was possible thanks to NIS’s strong understanding of their consultants’ strengths and experience, as well as their ability to match the right profile to the client’s needs.

Success factors: financial expertise and rapid adaptability

For an external consultant to quickly integrate into an organization, deep specialist expertise is not enough—there is also a need for the ability to quickly understand new environments. Alexander and Pontus were smoothly integrated into Celsius’ finance team, which already consisted of a Group Financial Controller, a Financial Controller, and a Business Controller.

“A finance consultant must quickly be able to understand a constantly evolving organization and absorb large amounts of new information. Deep financial expertise is crucial, but in times of change, communication skills and flexibility are especially important,” says Alexander.

A broad and international assignment

Alexander Franzén worked as interim CFO for a total of seven months and was part of Celsius’ European management team. He was responsible for finance functions in Sweden, Finland, Norway, and the United Kingdom. The role included financial planning, forecasting, and budgeting, as well as analyzing business performance to improve efficiency and results.

“During the collaboration, we contributed a valuable external perspective, especially within financial analysis and risk management,” says Alexander.

In his role, he reported directly to the Head of Europe and worked closely with leadership in sales, marketing, and supply chain. He was also responsible for monthly, quarterly, and annual closings as well as reporting to the parent company in the United States. Pontus Kaneberg’s expertise in analysis and reporting further strengthened the team.

“Many of our clients, like Celsius, operate in both Sweden and Finland. NIS’s ability to be a strong partner in both markets is a clear advantage for our clients,” Alexander concludes.