Publication
Going Global: A Financial Guide for International Expansion
https://www.toptal.com/management-consultants/business-development/global-expansion
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Kate Papiashvili
Verified Expert in Management Consulting
Management Consulting Expert
Tbilisi, Georgia
Toptal member since March 11, 2020
Bio
Kate is a fractional CFO and strategic finance partner with 15+ years of international experience advising founder-led companies, startups, and growth-stage businesses. She partners with CEOs and leadership teams on high-impact decisions involving growth, hiring, cash flow, pricing, and financial structure. Known for combining strategic judgment with analytical rigor, Kate helps businesses build financial clarity, strengthen decision-making, and scale with greater discipline and confidence.
Career Highlights
Fractional CFO
Geisel Software
Founder
Cresco Consulting
Senior Analyst
BGEO Group | Georgia Capital
Education Highlights
Master's Degree
The University of Manchester
Bachelor's Degree
Free University of Tbilisi
Certification Highlights
Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)
Corporate Finance Institute (CFI)
CFA Program Participant, Completed Level II
CFA Institute
ACCA Qualification
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Case Studies
Financial Modeling via Monte Carlo Simulation
Business PlanningForecastingBudgetingFinancial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)Three-statement ModelingBusiness Models+ 5 more
Business Valuation Model
ForecastingFinancial ModelingFinancial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)Cash FlowRevenue & Expense ProjectionsThree-statement Modeling+ 6 more
Interactive Analytical Dashboard
Financial Reporting DashboardsFinancial ModelingFinancial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)DashboardsData AnalysisData Analytics+ 4 more
Expertise
- Budgeting
- Cash Flow
- CFO
- Financial Modeling
- Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
- Forecasting
- Fractional CFO
- Revenue & Expense Projections
Work Experience
Fractional CFO
2024 - PRESENT
Automat-IT Prague
- Redesigned the budgeting process, reducing preparation time from two weeks to one day by automating inputs, integrating accounting data, and eliminating manual errors—enabling faster invoicing and greater profitability visibility.
- Automated key finance workflows by integrating bank transactions, accounting records, and reporting logic into a single transparent system—making budgeting auditable, real-time, and decision-ready across the company.
- Led the set up and oversight of accounting functions across multiple entities, introducing controls, standardizing processes, and ensuring compliance while supporting smooth international operations.
- Acted as a key advisor on international tax, transfer pricing, and cross-border efficiency strategies—supporting the leadership team in making informed decisions around structure, resource allocation, and global cash movement.
- Built systems for financial data integrity and control, ensuring accurate, complete, and timely information across business units to support operational performance and executive decision-making.
Focus areas: Financial Management
Fractional CFO
2023 - PRESENT
Geisel Software
- Managed the day-to-day operation of the finance team and helped drive business success by providing financial insights that led to better commercial decisions in a high-growth startup.
- Ensured the existing business ran smoothly and oversaw day-to-day operations by implementing sound financial and operational processes. The list of refined methods in two months' time included monthly billing, reporting, and forecasting.
- Created and maintained best-practice financial reporting to give the executive board visibility over the company's current and future financial status, including the P&L statement, cash flow management, and balance sheet.
- Created a revenue forecast using three approaches: target, top-down, and bottom-up. These allowed various team members to better see their positions and strategies, including the CEO, VP of sales, HR, and project manager.
Focus areas: Fractional CFO, CFO, Revenue & Expense Projections, Forecasting, Budgeting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Modeling, Cash Flow, Cash Flow Management, Controller, Financial Reporting Dashboards, Three-statement Modeling, Interim CFO, Reporting, Microsoft Excel, Data Analysis
Fractional CFO
2014 - PRESENT
GT Georgia
- Joined the company at an early startup stage as Fractional CFO and supported its growth to an ongoing revenue exceeding $2 million. Set up and maintained initial accounting, reporting, and control systems.
- Provided ongoing monitoring of all finance-related processes, including review of methods and control systems, analysis of financial statements and operating data, cash flow management, and ad-hoc support as needed by the management.
- Established budgets and analyzed actual results against budgeted figures to monitor deviations and control the operations, ensuring the company effectively manages its cash. Raised $250,000 to finance business expansion.
- Prepared internal financial reports for decision-making purposes, including weekly, monthly, and annual financial statements. Also prepared external financial reports for audit purposes per IFRS.
Focus areas: Budgeting, Forecasting, Financial Modeling, Revenue & Expense Projections, Three-statement Modeling, Cash Flow, Controller, Cash Flow Management, CFO, Fractional CFO, Interim CFO, Startups, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Reporting, Business to Business (B2B), Cash Flow Modeling
Fractional CFO
2019 - 2024
Leo Institute
- Joined the company at incorporation; set up accounting, reporting, analysis systems; supported the discussion of ideas for business growth; provided meaningful finance-related inputs helping strategic decisions and ensuring a two-digit growth rate.
- Helped the management to identify and track operating KPIs for the business. The CEO had a clear net profit target, and by creating a three-statement financial model, the main operational goals were clear.
- Conducted sensitivity and scenario analysis to take the company through the pandemics and ensure its further growth. Analysis revealed key factors that needed monitoring as they affected the cash flow and profitability the most.
Focus areas: CFO, Fractional CFO, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections, Forecasting, Cash Flow, Financial Modeling, Three-statement Modeling, Budgeting, Accounting, Controller, Cash Flow Management, Startups, Reporting, Microsoft Excel, Financial Controls & Processes, Profit & Loss (P&L)
Founder
2019 - 2024
Cresco Consulting
- Served as a fractional CFO and controller at 10+ startups. Established accounting and reporting systems; introduced relevant financial controls. Managed daily operations and supported long-term decision-making processes.
- Conducted thorough financial analysis by compiling financial statements, forecasts, flexible budgets, and analytical dashboards for over 50 companies, including early-stage startups and entities with over $20 million in revenue.
- Facilitated fundraising of $30+ million for over 10 entities, devising business plans, financial models, and investor presentations. Industries included tech, manufacturing, services, retail, hospitality, healthcare, agriculture, and construction.
- Prepared complete packages of IFRS-compliant financial statements for tech, manufacturing, distribution, and retail businesses with over $50 million in turnovers.
Focus areas: Budgeting, Forecasting, Accounting, Reporting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Modeling, Cash Flow, Cash Flow Management, Revenue & Expense Projections, Three-statement Modeling, Startups, CFO, Interim CFO, Fractional CFO, Controller, Cash Flow Consultant, Cash Flow Modeling, Finance Director
Certified Coach
2018 - 2023
Leo Institute
- Facilitated 20+ self-development seminars in Georgia and Finland. The goal of the Leo Institute is to support individuals in learning to create their lives instead of being at the mercy of others, events, and themselves.
- Coached 100+ individuals attending business seminars. The goal of the Leo Institute's is to enable companies to create a culture of "Working Together" and a culture of "Leadership" that leads to breaking silos and high employee engagement.
- Coached 100+ individuals on personal development topics, including communication, planning, goal setting, conducting difficult conversations, and resolving conflicts.
Focus areas: Coaching, Business Coaching, Executive Coaching, Business Planning, Management
Invited Lecturer
2018 - 2023
International Black Sea University
- Delivered core courses in finance to more than 300 undergraduate and postgraduate students for five years. Courses include Financial Reporting, Consolidated Financial Reporting, Managerial Finance, and Investment Analysis.
- Mentored a team of seven students that won second place at a national business case competition reviewing Harvard Business Case. The case was about business evaluation and supported the preparation of the financial forecast and business valuation.
- Gained a certification for IFRS for SME coaching and partnered with European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to deliver three courses on IFRS for 50+ practitioner accountants from SMEs in various cities in Georgia in 2019.
Focus areas: Reporting, IFRS Financial Reporting, Finance Reports, Financial Statements, Profit & Loss (P&L), UK GAAP, Cash Flow, Finance, Microsoft Excel, Variance Reporting, Accounting, Budgeting, Internal Financial Reporting, Financial Analysis
Post-merger Process Analyst
2021 - 2021
Freelance Client
- Prepared a detailed description and analysis of the company's internal processes related to finance and supply chain within a month. The main challenge was gathering the data, as most process owners had left the company during the merger.
- Identified major issues in the process flow, resulting in incorrect financial numbers and challenging the external audit. I found ways to resolve the issue by implementing alternative software.
- Presented suggestions for resolving the issues to the top management. After agreeing on a course of action, I supported the integration of additional software by managing the project, including people from the supply chain, accounting, and IT.
Focus areas: Process Mapping, Business Planning, Financial Controls & Processes, Business Processes, Administrative Procedures, Systems & Procedures, Accounting, Business Models, Reporting, Policies & Procedures Compliance, Process Design, Analysis, Data Analysis
Corporate Risk Manager
2018 - 2019
JSC Bank of Georgia
- Built and analyzed detailed financial models and forecasts, including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, sensitivity analysis, risk assessment, and valuation for over 100 clients' loan applications with a total value of over $500 million.
- Evaluated over 100 corporate clients' loan applications with a total amount of over $500 million. As a result, creating a loan portfolio of over $200 million with a concentration in real estate, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, and wholesale.
- Launched NBG, a requirement for commercial banks entailing the conduction of a detailed stress-test analysis for loan clients. I created a financial model from scratch, analyzed a portfolio of $2 billion, and successfully passed the evaluation.
Focus areas: Financial Modeling, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Budgeting, Forecasting, Business Models, Revenue & Expense Projections, Three-statement Modeling, Accounting, Business Planning, Cash Flow, Controller, Data Analysis, Reporting, Microsoft Excel, Cash Flow Analysis, Finance Reports
Senior Analyst
2015 - 2018
BGEO Group | Georgia Capital
- Served as a senior financial analyst in the reporting, budgeting, and analytics department of BGEO Group—a holding listed among the largest 250 companies on the London Stock Exchange (FTSE 250).
- Prepared weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual managerial reports covering more than 200 entities for the Group's management. The reports included P&L analysis, forecasts, budgets, liquidity, covenants, FOREX, and analytical dashboards.
- Prepared reports for external investors and the public, including audited financial statements, annual reports, and investor presentations for a holding listed among the largest 250 companies on the London Stock Exchange (FTSE 250).
- Served as the head of a subsidiary's reporting, budgeting, and forecasting in the food and beverage sector with over $15 million in revenue. Implemented an effective reporting system, external reporting functions, and audit procedures.
- Appointed as an intermediate controller for six months to implement systems and procedures in a subsidiary manufacturing beverages, which was on the verge of failing an audit because a new accounting and reporting system was not set up properly.
Focus areas: Reporting, Budgeting, Forecasting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Modeling, Accounting, Business Models, Revenue & Expense Projections, Three-statement Modeling, Dashboards, Data Analysis, Finance Reports, Microsoft Excel, Systems & Procedures, Financial Controls & Processes
Auditor
2011 - 2013
Deloitte
- Prepared business process descriptions and analyses for clients. These included detailed reports of operations flow, documents, and control mechanisms for manufacturing, services, and retail industries with over $200 million in turnover.
- Participated in testing, preparing financial statements, and audit reports per IFRS for 10+ clients in various sectors, including manufacturing, services, and retail, with a turnover of over $200 million.
- Performed detailed control environment reviews and testing for multiple business cycles to ensure that robust processes were implemented for 10+ clients in sectors including manufacturing, services, and retail, with a turnover of over $200 million.
Focus areas: Accounting, Reporting, IFRS Financial Reporting, Process Mapping, Business Processes, Financial Controls & Processes, Financial Statements, Microsoft Excel, Administrative Procedures, Profit & Loss (P&L), Systems & Procedures, UK GAAP, Auditing, Policies & Procedures Compliance, Process Design
Other Experience
Education
2013 - 2014
Master's Degree in Business Analytics: Operational Research and Risk Analysis
The University of Manchester - Manchester, England, UK
2008 - 2012
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration
Free University of Tbilisi - Tbilisi, Georgia
Certifications
MAY 2024 - PRESENT
Fathom Advisor Certification
Fathom Certification
AUGUST 2023 - PRESENT
Capital Markets & Securities Analyst (CMSA®)
Corporate Finance Institute (CFI)
DECEMBER 2022 - PRESENT
Commercial Banking & Credit Analyst (CBCA)
Corporate Finance Institute (CFI)
NOVEMBER 2022 - PRESENT
Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)
Corporate Finance Institute (CFI)
AUGUST 2020 - PRESENT
CFA Program Participant, Completed Level II
CFA Institute
AUGUST 2015 - PRESENT
ACCA Qualification
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Skills
Finance
Forecasting, Revenue & Expense Projections, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Modeling, Accounting, Budgeting, Cash Flow, CFO, Data Analysis, Controller, Cash Management, UK GAAP, Profit & Loss (P&L), Cash Flow Modeling, Internal Financial Reporting, Financial Management
Output Software
Microsoft Excel
Other
Reporting, IFRS Financial Reporting, Financial Reporting Dashboards, Startups, Business Models, Cash Flow Management, Finance, Business Planning, Fractional CFO, Interim CFO, Dashboards, Finance Director, Data Analytics, Finance Reports, Process Mapping, Financial Controls & Processes, Business Processes, Financial Statements, Analysis, Management, Administrative Procedures, Systems & Procedures, Cash Flow Consultant, Business to Business (B2B), Cash Flow Analysis, Policies & Procedures Compliance, Process Design, Financial Analysis, Variance Reporting, Auditing, Discounted Cash Flow Analysis
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