When Celsius’ European CFO transitioned to the U.S. headquarters, the company faced a challenging situation, with the CFO position temporarily vacant. A rapid and controlled resourcing process was needed before a successor could be recruited. Celsius, known for its energy drinks, turned to its partner NIS to ensure that the finance function remained operational during this critical period.
Alexander Franzén from NIS' Swedish office stepped in as Celsius' interim CFO. With a solid background in auditing and experience in analytics, Alexander was exactly what the client needed.
Additionally, Pontus Kaneberg from NIS was recruited to take on a combined role as interim Financial- and Business Controller. NIS’s comprehensive understanding of its financial experts’ skills and strengths, coupled with its insight into the client’s goals, enabled a quick and accurate placement for these key roles.

Finance expertise and adaptability were the keys to success
A smooth start for an external financial consultant requires not only in-depth financial knowledge, but also the ability to absorb new information quickly. Both Alexander and Pontus integrated well with the existing Celsius finance team, which included a Group Financial Controller, Financial Controller, and Business Controller.
"A financial consultant has to quickly adapt to a dynamic environment and absorb a lot of new information. The most important thing is, of course, a broad financial knowledge, but interpersonal skills and adaptability are also key in such a changing environment," says Alexander.
The broad and international scope offered a challenge
Alexander Franzén served as interim CFO for seven months, contributing as part of Celsius’ European management team. He oversaw the accounting and finance departments across Sweden, Finland, Norway, and the U.K. His responsibilities included financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, and analysing business progress to drive performance and efficiency.
"Throughout the collaboration, Celsius benefited from a fresh, external perspective on financial analysis and risk management," Alexander emphasises.
As interim CFO, he reported directly to the European CEO and collaborated closely with sales, marketing, and supply chain management. He was also responsible for preparing and reporting monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements to the parent company in the U.S. Pontus Kaneberg’s experience in analytics and reporting further strengthened the client's finance team.
"Many of our clients, such as Celsius, operate in both Sweden and Finland. NIS's ability to serve as a reliable partner in both markets is a significant advantage for our customers," says Alexander.
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