Yes, an interim manager can prepare a company well for an investment round. He or she quickly puts in place the financial, legal and organizational foundations that investors expect, without you having to hire a permanent employee. This works best when the interim manager has supported a capital round before and can work directly with your board. Curious which profiles we have available? Take a look at our talent pool. Want to stay up to date on new insights and profiles? Subscribe to our newsletter.
Investors assess not only your figures, but also the quality of your team, processes and reporting. Below, you can read which tasks an interim manager takes over, when that choice makes sense and what it costs.
Which tasks does an interim manager take over before an investment round?
An interim manager takes over the tasks that slow down your capital round or make it risky: financial reporting, business plan and forecasts, data room, governance and coordination with advisors and investors. This way, your own managers keep their focus on day-to-day operations.
In practice, this often involves the following work packages:
- Cleaning up the accounting and setting up reliable monthly reporting with clear KPIs.
- Drawing up a financial model with realistic growth scenarios.
- Structuring the data room with contracts, shareholder documents and permits.
- Improving internal processes, so that the company remains scalable after the round.
- Managing external parties such as accountants, lawyers and corporate finance advisors.
These tasks require specific experience. An interim manager who has already been through several rounds knows which questions investors ask and which documents they request first.
What type of interim manager does an investment round require?
Usually that is an interim CFO or finance director, sometimes supplemented by an interim COO or HR manager. The choice depends on the weak spot in your organization. If your finance function has gaps, you look for an interim CFO. If processes or team structure fall short, an operational profile is a better fit.
Interim CFO
An interim CFO builds the financial foundation: reporting, forecasting, cash flow management and the investor story in numbers. In addition, he or she conducts the discussions with prospective investors about valuation, terms and financial agreements. Look for someone with proven experience in scale-up financing or private equity.
Interim COO or transition manager
Investors also look at operational strength. An interim COO or transition manager streamlines processes, clarifies roles and makes the company less dependent on one or two key people. That reduces the risk that investors build into their valuation.
When is interim management better than a permanent hire?
Interim management is better when you quickly need specific expertise for a defined period. A permanent hire is a better fit when the role remains structurally needed after the investment round. The time-pressure argument often weighs heavily: a permanent senior hire easily takes several months.
Choose an interim manager in these situations:
- Your capital round starts within a few months and you have no time for a lengthy recruitment procedure.
- You need one-off experience that you do not have internally, such as a first data room or due diligence.
- You do not yet know which profile you will need after the round.
- An existing manager drops out or leaves in the middle of the process.
A combination is also possible. The interim manager prepares the round and then hands over to a permanent successor, whom he or she helps select. You can read more about this approach on our page about interim management in Belgium.
How does an interim manager approach the preparation step by step?
An interim manager works in four phases: first a baseline assessment of the company, then fixing weak points, next building the investor file and finally guiding the process itself. Each phase has concrete deliverables and a clear owner.
- Baseline assessment: the interim manager analyzes finances, contracts, organization and risks, and maps out the gaps.
- Repair and structure: outstanding issues are addressed, such as unclear ownership structures, missing contracts or unreliable figures.
- Building the file: business plan, financial model, pitch material and data room are completed and aligned with each other.
- Guiding the process: the interim manager coordinates investor questions, prepares the management for meetings and safeguards the planning.
This step-by-step plan works best when owners and board give the interim manager full access to figures and documents from day one.
What do investors look at during due diligence?
During due diligence, investors mainly check the reliability of your figures, the legal soundness of your company, the quality of your team and the sustainability of your growth story. Any discrepancy between what you tell them and what they find in the documents can put pressure on your valuation or on the deal itself.
The main areas are:
- Financial: consistent figures, clear revenue sources, realistic forecasts and insight into cash burn.
- Legal: ownership of intellectual property rights, shareholder agreements, ongoing disputes and regulatory compliance.
- Commercial: customer concentration, contract duration and market position.
- Organization: key people, employment contracts, company culture and dependence on individuals.
An interim manager finds these weak spots early, often before an investor discovers them. That gives you the chance to fix them or to explain them transparently in advance.
What does an interim manager cost and what does it deliver?
The cost of an interim manager depends on profile, experience, duration and workload. Usually he or she works on a daily or monthly basis, and the rate is higher than the equivalent of a permanent salary, because you only pay for the period and do not build up fixed costs. Always ask for a clear scope and end date.
What it delivers is often greater than the cost itself:
- A faster and smoother round, because investor questions are answered more quickly.
- A stronger negotiating position, because your file is complete and consistent.
- Less risk of unpleasant surprises during due diligence.
- Knowledge transfer to your own team, which stays with you after the project.
It is best to calculate the return against the potential impact on your valuation and the time your management would otherwise lose themselves.
How Skill&Will helps you prepare your investment round
We find the interim manager who fits your company, your stage and your plans. We know the Belgian market, especially Brussels and Flemish Brabant, and build on more than 50 years of combined experience. This way, you do not get a pile of CVs, but a targeted shortlist.
- Together with you, we determine which profile you need: interim CFO, COO or transition manager.
- We screen candidates on experience with capital rounds, due diligence and scale-up financing, and on cultural fit with your team.
- We support both your organization and the interim manager during the assignment, so that goals and expectations stay aligned.
- We help plan the handover to a permanent successor when needed.
Want to know which interim manager will best prepare you for the next round? Contact us and we will discuss your situation, without obligation.
