![[Translate to English:] Interim Accounting Specialist Assists with Annual Financial Statements and Consolidated Audits in the Electrical Engineering and Automation Industry](/fileadmin/_processed_/3/5/csm_Bjoern_Thiele_Interim_Manager_Accounting_Interim_Aid_ac18352036.png "[Translate to English:] Interim Accounting Specialist – Financial Statements & Consolidated Audits")
A growing group of companies in the electrical engineering and automation sector faced a challenging audit situation. The goal was to prepare the 2025 financial statements for several subsidiaries and the consolidated financial statements in a much more structured and efficient manner than in the previous year. The investor expected reliable financial statements by mid-May 2026. In the previous year, the audit had dragged on into the summer.
At the same time, there was a lack of internal capacity for coordinating the audit, ensuring alignment among the companies, and handling audit inquiries in a structured manner. Different locations, a lack of commercial leadership, unclear responsibilities, and weak internal communication further complicated the situation.
The interim accounting specialist, Björn Thiele, was brought in at short notice to assume operational and coordinating responsibility within the audit and financial statement preparation process.
The interim management project focused on overseeing the audits of several companies and assisting with the preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with the German Commercial Code (HGB).
Key responsibilities included:
![[Translate to English:] Interim Accounting Specialist coordinates financial reporting and auditing for a corporate group](/fileadmin/_processed_/6/1/csm_AdobeStock_806596231_1c85471166.jpeg "[Translate to English:] Scope & responsibilities – Financial statement and consolidated audit")
![[Translate to English:] Interim Accounting Specialist structures audit processes and supports the preparation of consolidated financial statements under tight deadlines](/fileadmin/_processed_/6/6/csm_AdobeStock_289057123_Kostiantyn_ecde3253b4.jpeg "[Translate to English:] Approach – Interim Accounting & Audit Coordination")
The interim accounting manager, Björn Thiele, not only provided operational support for the audit but also structured the collaboration between the audit team, the accounting department, and management.
Shortly after the project began, it became clear that the timeline was extremely tight. There were only a few weeks between the project start in mid-January and the start of the audit. Under these circumstances, a comprehensive qualitative analysis of all accounting processes was virtually impossible.
The interim manager therefore initially focused on creating transparency and setting priorities:
In parallel with audit coordination, the interim manager provided support on accounting and organizational issues within the companies.
It quickly became apparent that the following topics, in particular, required additional attention:
A lack of commercial leadership and unclear decision-making processes led to delays in several areas. The interim manager therefore assumed additional coordination and technical responsibilities to drive decisions forward and resolve outstanding issues pragmatically.
A key factor in the success of the interim management project was the improvement in internal communication.
Over the course of the project, it became clear that schedules, requirements, and responsibilities were not always adequately communicated within the corporate group. Some key individuals were not involved or were unavailable at short notice.
The interim manager actively addressed these challenges:
As a result, several critical audit and coordination issues were addressed in a timely manner.
Despite the tight schedule, the audit processes were managed in a much more structured manner than in the previous year.
Particularly relevant:
The engagement of the interim manager created significant added value, particularly because operational implementation, technical oversight, and the coordination of all audit-related processes were ensured in parallel and under tight deadlines.
It is precisely in complex corporate and audit situations that the importance of experienced interim specialists becomes apparent specialists who, in addition to accounting expertise, can actively manage communication, prioritization, and coordination processes.
When is it worth hiring an interim accounting specialist?
An interim accounting specialist is particularly valuable when annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements, or audits need to be completed under tight deadlines and internal resources are insufficient. Common reasons for hiring such a specialist include staffing shortages, a lack of financial leadership, growth resulting from acquisitions, or complex reconciliation processes involving multiple companies.
What responsibilities does an interim accounting manager have during an audit?
An experienced interim manager provides support in areas such as:
What are the benefits of hiring an interim accounting specialist in a corporate structure?
Complex coordination and communication processes often arise, particularly in corporate groups comprising multiple companies. Interim specialists bring experience from similar assignments and help structure processes, clarify responsibilities, and support audits more efficiently.
Can an interim manager also provide support for short-term audit projects?
Yes. Interim managers are often brought in on short notice when financial statement or audit deadlines must be met and internal resources are insufficient. Thanks to their operational experience, they can quickly familiarize themselves with existing structures and immediately assume responsibility.
What risks can be mitigated through interim accounting support?
The use of experienced interim experts can help reduce the following risks, among others:
Interim Accounting Specialist for Financial Statements, Consolidated Financial Statements, and Auditing
An interim accounting specialist supports companies in complex accounting, financial reporting, and auditing situations. Typical areas of expertise include annual financial statements prepared in accordance with the German Commercial Code (HGB), consolidated financial statements, intercompany reconciliations, consolidation of multiple locations, and operational support for auditors.
Especially in fast-growing corporate groups or when internal capacity is lacking, experienced interim managers help coordinate audit processes, prioritize outstanding issues, and complete financial statements on time.
Interim Aid places experienced interim accounting specialists and finance experts with mid-sized companies, corporate groups, and international organizations—on a short-term and project-based basis.
Florian kursawe
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