The added value of a finance consultant

Henri Collin is a finance consultant at Hyphen, a staffing agency that provides solutions for filling temporary finance roles and offers expertise on specific finance projects.

With a background in audit and supported by the training provided by Hyphen, Henri brings the necessary knowledge to his current client. At the same time, he gains experience there which he then takes with him to his next project. “This keeps my learning curve sufficiently steep. That accumulated expertise is the added value of a consultant.”

With over 100 freelancers and 60 consultants, Hyphen currently ensures the continuity of the finance function within companies. Whether a finance director is going on maternity leave, a finance controller is on long-term sick leave, or a company is looking for extra support to bridge a specific period, a specialist consultant from Hyphen offers a flexible solution. In addition, consultants also facilitate or lead specific finance projects, such as the implementation of a new BI tool or the development of a finance framework. This offers a wide range of options to take the pressure off the finance function.

Meeting specific business needs

“Another common scenario is that a company is temporarily seeking specific expertise,” says Henri. “We offer a solution for that too. This could be an accountant, but just as easily a specialist in big data, BI or AI. These are often areas where an in-house team lacks in-depth knowledge. External input makes all the difference there.” Henri currently works at Van de Velde Packaging, a rapidly growing family-run business in the packaging industry. The company has a strong ‘buy-and-build’ strategy, which puts enormous pressure on reporting. “Van de Velde invested in the LucaNet tool to optimise reporting, and I was given the opportunity to undertake training straight away. I came on board, partly to integrate the new acquisitions into the reporting process.”

Exchange of knowledge

When a client requests an extension of the consultancy agreement, Hyphen checks this against the consultant’s own plans. “We have a lot of say in the projects but, of course, we also give our full commitment, ” says Henri. “With my current client, I can fully utilise my expertise and, in return, gain at least as much knowledge. Perhaps my next assignment will be with a larger company, where I’ll learn a great deal myself in a new role. That’s how I build up expertise that I then take with me to the next client. Ultimately, that expertise is the major added value a consultant brings.” It is precisely this approach that Henri was looking for at Hyphen. “I worked in audit for almost 8 years, which meant the job started to become routine. I became a consultant because I prefer projects with concrete deliverables. I enjoy working in new environments on a regular basis and interacting with different people. That keeps my learning curve steep.”

A fresh perspective and an extensive network

“Even though the aim is often to ensure continuity within the finance team, as an external consultant you still bring a fresh perspective to the existing way of working, ” adds Henri. “This allows a consultant to help increase the efficiency of a process and identify improvements that genuinely add value.” Hyphen invests in developing its consultants ’ hard and soft skills, and ensures that a project aligns with the consultant’s training programme. That’s why the assignment at the packaging company was a good fit for Henri. “I’m constantly given the opportunity to undertake various training courses through Hyphen.” And when a client has questions that the consultant cannot answer straight away, they can seek advice from their colleagues at Hyphen. “So, as a client, you’re not just working with a single Hyphen consultant; you also benefit from the expertise of their extensive network.”