Thomas Ruland, Finance Expert in Bad Münstereifel, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Thomas is available for hire
Hire Thomas

Thomas Ruland

Verified Expert  in Finance

Finance Expert

Location
Bad Münstereifel, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Toptal Member Since
January 6, 2021

Thomas is an experienced finance professional with over 15 years of in-depth knowledge in M&A, finance, and business operations. He has executed multiple M&A processes, capital raising deals, and acted as (interim) CFO/COO in startup environments. Thomas has expertise both on the advisory side as well as in operational roles. His work-style follows an analytical management approach in combination with a hands-on mentality.

Interim CFOVirtual CFOFinancial ModelingFinancial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)Financial ReportingFundraisingVenture CapitalMergers & Acquisitions (M&A)Project ManagementFundraising ConsultantCross-border M&A

Career Highlights

Interim CFO/COO/Head of Finance | Startups | Fundraising Manager | Finance Consultant
Freelance
Vice President/Director
Ludwig & Co. (Award-winning Corporate Finance Boutique)
CFO/COO
cloudControl (PaaS |Coud Technology Startup)

Education Highlights

Bachelor's Degree
Maastricht University

Case Studies

Image of Comparable Companies and Transactions Valuation project
Comparable Companies and Transactions Valuation
Financial ModelingCross-border M&ADue Diligence
Image of Fully-fledged Financial Model with Dynamic Statements (P&L, BS, CF) project
Fully-fledged Financial Model with Dynamic Statements (P&L, BS, CF)
Budget ModelingFinancial ModelingMicrosoft Excel
Image of M&A and Fundraising Process and Project Management project
M&A and Fundraising Process and Project Management
Project ManagementFundraisingM&A Reporting

Software Expertise

Office 365

Other Expertise

CFOCOODue DiligenceFinanceFundraisingMergers & Acquisitions (M&A)Startups

Work Experience

Interim CFO/COO/Head of Finance | Startups | Fundraising Manager | Finance Consultant

2020 - PRESENT
Freelance
  • Build a seed funding deck and actively managed the seed fund round for a pre-seed startup. Advised them on operational goals to kick-off process.
  • Assumed interim CFO/COO role with full responsibility on finance tasks. Got financial department up-to-speed within one month.
  • Advised on M&A topics, prepared M&A roadmap, documents, and long-/short-list.
  • Assisted client to form industry expert board with a combined financing round.
  • Consulted on topics in corporate finance, business and finance operations (e.g. budgeting, financial planning & analysis (FP&A), controlling), and investor relations,.
  • Oversaw project management, due diligence, executive briefings, board document preparation, market screening, and financial modeling.
Focus areas: Financial Controlling, Financial Management, Controlling, Reporting, Corporate Finance, Finance, Chief Operations Officer (COO), COO, Virtual CFO, CFO, Interim CFO, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Budgeting, Controller

Vice President/Director

2016 - 2020
Ludwig & Co. (Award-winning Corporate Finance Boutique)
  • Led multiple M&A transactions across industries (technology, IT, automotive, agri-tec).
  • Raised funding rounds for early stage and growth startups.
  • Managed carve-outs, financial restructuring, and distressed M&A projects.
  • Build and presented Information memorandums, company presentations, and financial models.
  • Led and executed due diligence processes on both the buy and sell side.
  • Recruited one of the best junior M&A teams in the industry.
Focus areas: Debt Raises, Equity Financing, Financing, Startups, High-tech Startups, Fundraising Consultant, Fundraising, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

CFO/COO

2009 - 2016
cloudControl (PaaS |Coud Technology Startup)
  • Raised multi-million EUR amounts in three funding rounds from business angels and VCs (Seed-Series B).
  • Managed all group financials: German GmbH & US Inc., including financial planning, monthly and annual report preparation, treasury, and investor relations.
  • Executed M&A projects: dotCloud acquisition from Docker, Inc., sale of cloudControl to Exoscale.
  • Set-up internal controlling systems and core KPIs for acquisition funnel, sign-up conversions, cohorts, and marketing effectiveness.
  • Oversaw all legal and data security topics.
  • Coordinated HR, recruitment processes, and employee evaluation.
  • Founded a US-based subsidiary as part of the international expansion strategy.
Focus areas: Financial Management, Controlling, Finance, Cloud, Startups, Venture Capital, Fundraising, Seed Fundraising

Analyst

2007 - 2009
UBS Investment Bank
  • Executed M&A transactions in the technology, real estate, and transportation sectors with EVs in the range of EUR 50-500 million each.
  • Prepared the multi-billion EUR IPO of one of Europe's largest railway operators.
  • Built extensive integrated financial models for both M&A and IPO cases.
  • Executed due diligence projects in digital and physical datarooms.
  • Prepared and presented key transaction documents such as a prospectus, pitches, and company presentations.
Focus areas: Initial Public Offerings, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
2006 - 2006

Bachelor's Degree in International Business Economics

Chengchi University Taipei - Taipei, Taiwan

2003 - 2006

Bachelor's Degree in International Business

Maastricht University - Maastricht, The Netherlands