CV Ruth Pauline Wachter English

RUTH PAULINE

WACHTER

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER & SENIOR BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION EXPERT

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

Territory CFO - Managing Director Germany (Germany)

Schneider Electric Group - Software Division, 04/2022 - 02/2024

Transformed a strategic €130 million DACH portfolio in licensing and project business, operations across 17 legal entities and led a team of 400 employees. Spearheaded a strategic shift by converting traditional licenses into a SaaS model, significantly enhancing service delivery, and aligning with cutting-edge digital transformation goals.

Established an end-to-end regional finance organization, integrating accounting, controlling, FP&A, treasury, taxes, legal, and supply chain, emphasizing efficient end-to-end processes and administrative functions. Directed the digital transformation through the pilot implementation of SAP S/4 Hana Public Cloud (SaaS), designed processes and controlling structure, revolutionizing the operational backbone and reducing process times by 300%.

Spearheaded the post-acquisition integration and compliance roll-out, significantly enhancing financial reporting, controlling, accounting, and supply-chain processes.

Enhanced business partnering by collaborating closely with the DACH Business VP and regional teams, focusing on strategic alignment and optimized decision-making to drive business objectives.

Led a major M&A initiative to streamline the corporate structure, reducing the number of legal entities from 17 to 6, which included consolidating portfolios, harmonizing IP rights, and aligning salaries and bonuses.

Handpicked 10 high-performing international professionals and led a hybrid team of 25, focusing on virtual leadership and strategic alignment.

Personally trained them in accounting and controlling, successfully instilling a support function mindset that led to flawless execution and enhanced business partnering.

Conducted detailed business reviews and storytelling leveraging LucaNet, HFM and SAP for comprehensive financial analysis and reporting, enhancing transparency and stakeholder engagement.

Finance Manager Austria & Business Partner (Germany)

Schneider Electric Group - Europe Operations, 04/2021 - 03/2022

Rebuilt and led the finance team post-Finance Manager departure, overseeing accounting, controlling, treasury, and FP&A for manufacturing and sales units in Austria during the COVID period and shortage including price changes, and channel delivery strategy.

Enhanced financial processes, established the CFO Business Partner role within the Austrian management team, and drove growth initiatives.

Secured and transformed €100 million in business volume across four entities, improving financial reporting and focusing on strategic analysis of price, volume, and mix variances in a challenging market. Quarterly Business Reviews and storytelling.

Conducted internal and external operational and tax audits, ensuring compliance and maintaining high financial integrity.

Email: rpwachter@mac.com

Phone: +436763003040

Address: Assmayergasse30 Vienna

DateofBirth: 03-12-1979

Maritalstatus:Divorcedwithnochildren

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Enterprise-Resource-Planning(ERP):

SAPR/3(FI,CO,MM,SD,PS)

SAPECC(FI,CO,MM,SD,PS)

SAPS/4HanaCentralFinanceDigital Layer

SAPS/4PublicCloud(SaaS)allApps

MicrosoftDynamicsNAV

OracleJDEdwards

OracleCloudSuite(SaaS) ProAlpha iTWO

FinancialConsolidationand Reporting: HyperionFinancialManagement(HFM) SAPBusinessPlanningand Consolidation(BPC)

Lucanet

Tagetik

Cognos(OneStream)

EnterprisePerformanceManagement (EPM)

OracleEPMCloud HyperionFinancialPlanning

BusinessIntelligence(BI)and Analytics

PowerBI

Tableau

GoogleAnalytics

IBMWatson

AWSAnalyticsServices

CustomerRelationshipManagement (CRM): SAPCRM Salesforce

Pipedrive PriceFX

AccountingAutomationTools: BlackLine

ReadSoft Coupa

LocalAccountingTools(HGB/UGB): Datev

BMD CONTACT

Territory Finance Transformation Manager DACH (Germany)

Schneider Electric Group - Corporate Finance, 04/2019 - 05/2021

Transformed a conglomerate with over €1 billion in revenue, leading more than 5,000 employees across diverse units, which significantly improved operational coherence and strategic focus.

Achieved IFRS monthly financial closings by the second working day in HFM, for over 20 DACH entities (before: D+10), including manufacturing plants and R&D units operating on more than 12 different ERP systems, by implementing compliance and Lean Accounting principles that significantly streamlined accounting and controlling processes, enhancing reporting speed and accuracy.

Centralized accounting and controlling processes to shared service centers in Poland and India, integrating digital transformations for specific tasks to enhance efficiency and compliance, resulting in significant cost reductions.

Reduced finance process times by up to 50% in transformation projects, facilitating quicker decision-making and improving responsiveness to market changes through advanced change management techniques.

Developed and implemented advanced financial dashboards, consolidating data across the territory, which greatly improved financial oversight and strategic decision-making capabilities using HFM, BI, and Tableau.

Pioneered comprehensive digitization projects, employing SAP and its satellites to revolutionize financial systems, which significantly increased efficiency and reporting capabilities.

Redesigned financial teams and processes, instilling a growth mindset that aligned with strategic objectives, leading to enhanced team performance and goal attainment.

Led the global integration of ProLeit Group (Group’s Software Division), overseeing the initial IFRS consolidation with tools like LucaNet and HFM, which streamlined reporting and integration efforts.

Prepared and executed a consulting carve-out in Germany (Converse), ensuring strategic continuity and operational excellence during the corporate restructuring phase.

CFO - Managing Director (pre-seed till exit phase - Austria)

iGumps Software R&D 07/15 - 08/2018; Advisory Board till 05/2021

Secured critical initial and follow-on investments, demonstrating compelling value to investors and ensuring sustained financial support for growth. Investor Relationships and Quarterly Business Reviews.

Led financial strategy and operations, effectively managing cash flows, budgeting, and investor relations to drive the startup through critical growth phases. Implemented ROI calculations for R&D costs and NPV assessments, guiding pricing strategies and investment decisions for optimal profitability and investor confidence.

Accelerated market entry and expansion of new products like Lee McPea, leveraging international collaborations to enhance the startup's product offerings and market presence.

Directed high-level negotiations, securing partnerships with key industry players like Google and Apple Education Teams, and aligning with international software developers to enhance product capabilities and market reach.

Led public relations and strategic engagements with the Austrian government, establishing favorable terms and support for technology initiatives, significantly boosting the startup's visibility and operational framework in critical markets.

Successfully negotiated and executed the company’s exit strategy, achieving a profitable sale and delivering significant returns to investors, validating the startup's growth strategy and operational success.

MORE TECHNICAL SKILLS

ProjectManagementand

Collaboration: Jira

Slack Trello

Gather

Slack Yammer

MSProjects

SmartDraw

Administration:

MicrosoftOffice365(incl Excel, PowerPoint,Sharepoint&Teams)

OSOfficeApplications

GoogleWorkspace

ChatGPT

DesignTools:

AdobeCreativeCloud Canva

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

FinancialManagement:

FinancialReporting

FinancialControlling

FinancialAccounting

SharedServiceRollout

StrategicFinancialManagement

Consolidation

Budgeting

Rolling-Forecasting

Treasury

LeanFinance

DigitalTransformationFinance

InternalandexternalAudits

StrategicPlanningandAnalysis:

StrategicThinking

BusinessDevelopment

KeyPerformanceIndicators(KPI)

StrategicBusinessReviews

GrowthInitiatives

MergersandAcquisitions(M&A)

StrategyConsulting

Transformation

Reorganization

TurnaroundStrategies

Restructuring

InvestmentandMarketOperations:

InvestorRelations

InitialPublicOffering

BusinessCases

GlobalFinance

Compliance

QuantitativeAnalyses

CompanyValuation

Divestment

Group CFO - Commerical Lead (Restructuring - Austria)

Tele-Haase Steuergeräte (Manufacturing Industry), 11/2012 - 01/2014

Executed a decisive restructuring and turnaround strategy

Developed and implemented Product Controlling, aligning production controls and R&D ROI calculations to make pricing decisions and product lifecycle strategies, driving profitability and market competitiveness.

Negotiated critical agreements with banks and shareholders, securing favorable terms on loans and capital injections to stabilize liquidity and fund restructuring initiatives.

Developed and implemented zero-based budgeting and cost accounting measures, leading to significant cost reductions, optimized production lines, and improved product margins.

Reorganized finance and administrative functions, championing digitization efforts that enhanced data-driven decision-making and streamlined company-wide processes.

Led the strategic realignment of corporate structure, incorporating IFRS standards and cost-oriented strategies to elevate management reporting and financial transparency.

Recruited and empowered high-potential financial professionals, building a team capable of driving change and sustaining new strategic initiatives.

Managed diverse strategic departments including logistics, sales, HR, and R&D, aligning them under a unified vision to ensure comprehensive operational coherence and agility.

Acted as chief negotiator for OEM warranty claims

Vice President Group Finance (Private Equity - Austria)

New Frontier Group (Software) 06/2008 - 06/2012

Executed comprehensive financial due diligence for 30 Central and Eastern European companies and managed 21 strategic acquisitions, significantly expanding the group's market presence and operational reach.

Spearheaded the adoption of IFRS, focusing on IFRS 9 and IFRS 15, to ensure compliance and enhance financial transparency. Developed and implemented purchase price models, coordinated seamless post-merger integrations, and optimized shareholder reporting.

Led the integration of advanced financial systems, including SAP, Navision, and HFM, significantly enhancing decision-making and financial reporting capabilities. Decided the controlling and accounting structure.

Developed Group’s Project and EBIT controlling including ROI concepts, established a KPI framework, and rigorously challenged pricing and project calculations, leveraging percentage-of-completion strategies to ensure strategic financial control and profitability.

Unified finance teams from multiple regions into a single cohesive global finance operation, overseeing 70 full-time employees. Standardized reporting processes and significantly improved the strategic roles of local CFOs as finance business partners.

Drove the successful consolidation of the group by implementing purchase price allocation and developing strategic business cases that facilitate insightful, country-specific business reviews for enhanced strategic planning.

Expertly optimized the group's capital structure to maximize shareholder value, successfully implementing Net Present Value analyses to inform and enhance financing decisions and risk management strategies.

Directed the comprehensive preparation process for an Initial Public Offering, effectively positioning the company to attract substantial investor interest and facilitating access to public markets, thereby underscoring the group’s robust valuation and market readiness.

MORE SKILLS

LeadershipSkills

ExecutiveLeadership

StrategicPartnerships

GlobalTeamManagement

InnovativeProblem-Solving

ExecutiveTeamCollaboration

RapidDecision-Making

Hands-OnLeadership

People-FocusedApproach

Goal-DrivenStrategy

CreativeInnovation

CommercialLeadership

EffectiveTalentRecruitingandRetention

DevelopmentofHighPerformers

SkilledNegotiation

HybridTeams

OrganizationalSkills

OperationalEfficiency

ChangeManagement

ProjectManagement

OrganizationalRestructuring

SystemImprovements

PerformanceEnhancement

CostReductionStrategies

QualityAssurance

AgileMethodology

Cross-FunctionalCollaboration

StrategicRealignment

FURTHER EDUCATION

MassachusettsInstituteof Technology(2023-2024):

ExecutiveDiplomainDigitalBusiness (includingAIandMachineLearning)

ExecutiveDiplomainManagementand Leadership(includingDigital TransformationStrategyandManaging HumanSideofDigitalDisruption)

ExecutiveDiplomainStrategy& Innovation(includingInquiry-Driven LeadershipandBlockchain Technologies)

YaleUniversity(2023):

ExecutiveWomen'sLeadershipProgram

UniversityofGeorgia(2017): CertificateinSixSigma

UniversityofMaryland(2014): CertificateinEntrepreneurship

CaseWesternReserve(2014): CertificateinLeadershipthrough EmotionalIntelligence

Division Finance Manager for Austria & Switzerland (Austria)

Microsoft Group - Europe, 03/2007 - 05/2008

Rebuilt control of € 500 million revenue for the Entertainment Division in Austria and Switzerland, from recurring incomes and hardware sales, including Microsoft devices. Global business reviews and storytelling. Establishing internal digital solutions such as electronic reports, channel dashboards, and interfaces to wholesellers streamlines operations for business units and headquarters in Ireland.

Served as Regional Brand and Marketing Controller for Xbox, guiding critical budget allocation decisions, collaborating with commercial sales teams, and strategically challenging divisional plans in response to market trends and global strategy.

Provided vital support to the Europe HQ, offering comprehensive business reporting, forecasting, and budgeting services with a focus on campaign, event, supply chain, and channel controlling.

Managed advertising cost subsidies for the ALPS region and conducted strategic financial planning for the division, resulting in improved profitability.

Identified areas for efficiency enhancement through analysis of cost factors, contributing to increased profitability in Austria and Switzerland. Established Shared Service Center collaboration to achieve operational goals.

Promoted by Microsoft executives to take over a Vice President’s role (New Frontier Group)

I have to admit, I left out my professional roles before 2007 in my CV to keep some mystery about my age But I can assure you, I have a few more wrinkles and a lot more experience now! If you're curious about my prior roles, I'd be happy to tell you all about it over a virtual cup of coffee (or tea, if that's more your style)

ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITIES

Author - Multi-Facet Book Der Widerspenstige (The Stubborn)

RE-ACTeU(VIE)01/2024-04/2024

Authored a book combining storytelling with self-coaching, aimed at those interested in digital transformation and personal development.

Interim Manager Austria, Germany, Switzerland

RE-ACTeU(VIE),07/2012-present

Engaged in various confidential roles across industries in addition to the listed ones, focusing on restructuring, mergers & acquisitions, and growth.

Business Consultant

RE-ACTeU(VIE)07/2012-present

Consulted on restructuring, business transformations, and digital transitions, serving as an external advisor to the Big 5.

ACADEMIC CAREER

University Lecturer - Master's Theses

ViennaTech-UniversityofAppliedSciences2017-present

University Lecturer - Lectures

ViennaTech-UniversityofAppliedSciences,2015-2022

Accounting, Cost Accounting, Investment & Financing, Innovation Management,

MORE EDUCATION

WIFIVienna(2014): BusinessCoachDiploma

DIRK(2011): CertificateInvestorRelationsManager

LANGUAGES

German:Native(C2level)

English:Proficient(C1level)

Spanish:CurrentlyataB1level,with practicalapplicationinprofessional settingsforinternationalcommunication afterashorttrainingperiod

ACADEMIC EDUCATION

RushfordBusinessSchool(2026): DoctorofBA -Finance

UniversityofLiverpool(2015): MasterofScience -Psychology PostgraduateDiploma-Psychology WeekendMScProgram

UniversityofAppliedScienceBFI Vienna(2008): Bachelor&MasterStudiesinEuropean Economics(FinanceandLeadership) EveningPrograms

FederalHigherInstituteforApparel Technology(1998): CommercialandTechnicalMatura(ALevel)

SUMMARY

I am a highly experienced CFO and senior business transformation expert with 26 years of experience in digitalization, acquisition, optimization, restructuring, and growth strategies. With an additional strong background in supply chain and customer care, I have led multimillion euro portfolios, managed teams of hundreds of employees, and directed post-merger transformations of conglomerates. I have a hands-on leadership style, keen organizational skills, and innovative problem-solving abilities. My expertise in global team management, executive team collaboration, and high performer development makes me a valuable asset to any company seeking to take their business to the next level.