EXPERTISE
succession planning
Interim CFOs and controllers who stabilize reporting, enforce month-end discipline, manage bank and investor relationships, and give owners the financial clarity to lead.
When a key finance leader departs, growth outpaces capability, or lenders demand clearer reporting, business momentum stalls. ChurchillTerry places seasoned interim CFOs and controllers who quickly stop the bleeding, restore timely reporting, and create predictable finance operations—so you can make confident decisions and keep the business moving.
What we do
- Interim leadership: Assign a senior CFO or controller with relevant sector experience and a clear remit.
- Month-end discipline: Implement a repeatable close calendar, reconciliations, and reliable management packs.
- Cash & liquidity triage: Immediate cash assessment, short-term bridge plans, and prioritization of vendor/payroll actions.
- Bank & investor management: Produce lender/investor packages, lead calls, and negotiate terms where required.
- Process & controls: Fix core control gaps, document SOPs, and set SLAs for finance operations.
- Handover & hiring support: Develop role specs, assess candidates, and deliver a documented transition plan.
Typical engagement models
- Urgent mobilization: 48–72 hour remote start for critical situations (short-term stabilization).
- Medium-term interim: 3–6 months to stabilize operations and recruit/permanently place leadership.
- Long-term fractional CFO: Ongoing retained support when permanent hire is not needed or desired.
Our approach — three focused phases
- Rapid intake (48–72 hrs): Quick forensic review of cash, recent P&Ls, balance sheet oddities, and open covenant risk. Deliver a 1-page risk summary and top 5 immediate actions.
- Stabilize (2–8 wks): Implement month-end cadence, clear outstanding reconciliations, remediate high-risk items, and establish cash controls. Produce a first clean management pack for lenders/investors.
- Embed & transition (ongoing): Run finance operations, coach internal staff, and prepare a documented handoff for the permanent CFO or continued retained support.
Who this is for
- Companies with an unexpected CFO/controller departure.
- Founder-operators who need senior finance leadership without immediate hiring.
- Firms preparing for fundraising, lender negotiations, or turnaround work.
CLIENT SUCCESS
Emergency Finance Staffing
Deployed five finance professionals in 72 hours, uncovered $500K in hidden liabilities, and secured $1M in senior debt within the quarter.
FAQ
Here’s the Facts
How quickly can you start?
For urgent needs we can begin remote work within 48–72 hours. Onsite starts depend on location and scope.
How long do interim engagements last?
Commonly 3–6 months for stabilization and handoff; shorter emergency sprints (2–8 weeks) are possible for narrow remediations.
Do you take over bookkeeping or just leadership?
We can embed as senior leadership only, or deliver a combined model (leadership + outsourced back-office) if rapid operational work is required.