Publication
Advantages of Google Sheets: Why It’s Time for Finance Pros to Switch From Excel
https://www.toptal.com/management-consultants/excel-experts/google-sheets-advantages
Stefan is currently unavailable
Stefan Thelin
Verified Expert in Management Consulting
Management Consulting Expert
Lund, Sweden
Toptal member since January 9, 2018
Bio
As an investment banker, startup CFO, fundraising consultant, and corporate M&A director, Stefan has built financial models and conducted due diligence and analysis for projects ranging from a €6 million startup fundraising to a €7 billion LBO. Occasional freelancing allows him to tackle interesting finance challenges in areas outside the scope of his full-time job as M&A director.
Career Highlights
CFO
REAC Fuel
Manager, Leveraged Finance
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)
Education Highlights
Master's Degree
Boston College
Bachelor's Degree
European Business School
Case Studies
Financial Model for a Cleantech Startup
Financial ModelingMonte Carlo SimulationsStartupsHigh-tech StartupsVenture CapitalBoard Presentations+ 1 more
Financial Model for M&A DCF Valuation
Financial ModelingOperating ModelsMergers & Acquisitions (M&A)Startup FundingLeveraged Buyout ModelingLeveraged Finance+ 3 more
Fundraising Projections for a Communications Hardware and Software Startup
Three-statement ModelingFinancial ModelingVenture FundingEarly-stage FundingEarly-stage StartupsStartups+ 3 more
Industry Expertise
- Accounting Services
- Venture Capital & Private Equity
- Manufacturing
- Software
- Financial Modeling
- Startups
- Consulting
- Early-stage Startups
Software Expertise
- SQL
Other Expertise
- CFO
- Cross-border M&A
- Financial Modeling
- Google Cloud
- Python
Work Experience
Director, Data-Driven Insights and Analytics
2021 - PRESENT
Cargotec
- Defined the vision for data analytics in the finance organization, mapping demand from senior management and other stakeholders to technical solutions and driving change through articles, training, and sharing of best practices between teams.
- Led finance-related data engineering, analytics, and BI transformation projects.
- Drove hands-on data engineering, analytics, and automation using Python, SQL, and Google Cloud Platform. Data visualization using Google Data Studio. Workflow automation and Google Workspace add-on development using JavaScript/TypeScript.
Focus areas: Analytics, Big Data, Financial Data, SQL, Google Data Studio, Google Cloud
Director, M&A | Finance | PMO | Finance Digitalisation, Hiab
2016 - 2021
Cargotec
- Led all aspects of PoCs and a pilot with Google BigQuery, from idea and architecture design to presenting outcomes to Cargotec's CIO, which led to Cargotec's adoption of BigQuery as its data warehousing solution for BI. This was on my initiative.
- Led financial and other due diligence, business case development, and internal approval steps for M&A globally, with completed transactions in countries including Germany, Italy, Chile, and South Africa, and significant work with Chinese targets.
- Took charge of finance and business control for Hiab's New Business Solutions division, encompassing its IoT, connectivity, and software business.
- Handled finance and business control for Hiab's importer markets, covering sales to more than 60 countries.
- Led the Hiab Program Management Office, tracking the execution of key strategic initiatives for the Hiab leadership team.
Focus areas: Finland, Due Diligence, Budget Modeling, Programming, Financial Forecasting, Excel Modeling, Pandas, Python, Data Engineering, Big Data, Google Cloud, SQL, Chile, Germany, Transaction Comparables, Comparable Company Analysis, DCF Modeling, DCF Valuation, Board Decks, Google Slides, Google Apps Script, Google Sheets, Software, CFO, Budgeting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), M&A Modeling, Cross-border M&A, Industrial Equipment
Program Office Senior Manager, Hiab
2015 - 2016
Cargotec
- Tracked the execution of the most important strategic initiatives in the Hiab business unit (€1+ billion in unit revenue) and reported to senior leadership on a weekly basis. Also supported the execution of key strategic initiatives as part of an in-house consulting team.
- Prepared the business portfolio analysis, economic-value-added analyses, and internal and external benchmarking for Cargotec's corporate strategy team.
- Supported Cargotec's corporate M&A team on several transactions; responsible for financial modeling and financial analysis.
Focus areas: Finland, Excel Modeling, DCF Valuation, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Cross-border M&A, Program Management, Strategic Planning & Execution
Financial Analyst, MacGregor
2014 - 2015
Cargotec
- Led the financial analysis and developed key decision-making materials for the CFO and senior management team of the MacGregor business unit (€1+ billion of unit revenues in 2014) on a range of topics and projects, including outsourcing evaluations, make-or-buy decisions, cost and headcount reductions, synergy estimations, divestment decisions, and net working capital optimization initiatives.
- Coordinated the financial aspects of MacGregor's long-term corporate strategy, and prepared materials for internal decision-making and board presentations.
- Built financial models and conducted financial analyses for Cargotec's central M&A team, working with a top-tier investment bank on larger projects.
Focus areas: Budget Modeling, Board Decks, Excel Modeling, Cross-border M&A, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Working Capital Management, Financial Forecasting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
Partner | Co-founder
2011 - 2014
Ominor Capital
- Co-founded an early-stage investment firm with a technology industry executive who has more than 25 years of experience with Silicon Valley startups as well as with larger enterprises. The initial funding was provided by several successful Swedish entrepreneurs who also provided mentoring and guidance to portfolio companies.
- Worked closely with portfolio companies on business development, product roadmap decisions, financial planning, and follow-on fundraising efforts.
Focus areas: Private Equity, Excel Modeling, Early-stage Startups, Acquisitions, DCF Valuation, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Seed Fundraising, Venture Funding, Early-stage Venture Capital, Investment Monitoring, Investment Briefs, Investor Presentations, Due Diligence
Interim CFO
2012 - 2013
Vers Audio
- Drove the innovation in the finance function of the company by implementing a cloud-based QuickBooks solution, SalesForce CRM, and Zendesk customer service software solutions to provide all stakeholders with clear financial information.
- Strengthened the financial control by implementing a quarterly and annual financial planning and budgeting process as well as weekly cash flow forecasts.
- Implemented policies and procedures related to credit limits, revenue recognition, record-keeping procedures, approval processes, bank mandates, and segregation of duties.
Focus areas: Capital Structuring, Budget Modeling, Excel Modeling, Interim CFO, Early-stage Startups, Early-stage Venture Capital, CFO, Customer Service, CRM Systems, Accounting Software, Accounting, Cash Flow Forecasting
Independent Financial Consultant
2008 - 2013
Casteyo
- Founded an independent consulting practice to facilitate communication between startup founders with technical and non-financial backgrounds and their investors and board members.
- Assisted small startups with $0-10 million in external financing with fundraising, financing strategy, financial planning, board reporting, and strategy execution.
- Employed two analysts who focused on financial modeling, financial analysis, market research, and preparation of the presentation materials.
Focus areas: Mentorship & Coaching, Cash Flow Forecasting, Capital IQ, Financial Forecasting, Excel Modeling, Early-stage Startups, Early-stage Venture Capital, Risk, Acquisitions, Google Sheets, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Consulting, Business Planning, Budgeting, Financial Modeling, Seed Fundraising
CFO
2010 - 2012
REAC Fuel
- Joined as a CFO after helping the company raise $6.2 million from international investors including VantagePoint Capital Partners, BP Alternative Energy Ventures, and Sustainable Technologies Fund.
- Led a finance and IT team of five resources—driving the transition of the finance function from an accounting-focused support function to a strategic business partner that added an analytical value-creation focus to management and board discussions.
- Built a financial model using Monte Carlo simulations to guide business development and prioritize engineering efforts. The intellectual property portfolio was eventually sold to Renmatix, a competitor that was funded by John Doerr and KPCB.
- Presented and reported financial matters and financial model findings directly to the board, led by chairman André T. Heinz.
Focus areas: Mentorship & Coaching, Capital Structuring, Budget Modeling, Accounting, Board Decks, Cash Flow Forecasting, CleanTech, Financial Forecasting, Excel Modeling, Early-stage Startups, Early-stage Venture Capital, Board Presentations, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Management, Execution, Monte Carlo Simulations, Venture Funding, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Modeling, Cash Flow Modeling, Budgeting, CFO, Startup Funding
Manager, Leveraged Finance
2006 - 2008
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)
- Led the financial modeling and analysis for leveraged buyouts with enterprise values between €250 million to €1 billion in the Nordic region, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland; including EQT's acquisition of Scandic Hotels from Hilton.
- Managed the internal approval processes—presenting the proposed transactions, due diligence findings, key features of legal documentation and details of leveraged finance securities and loans.
- Monitored early warning indicators and prepared credit reviews for portfolio companies in which RBS held securities including senior and junior bank debt, mezzanine and high-yield bonds.
Focus areas: Credit Reviews, Capital Structuring, Board Decks, Cash Flow Forecasting, Financial Forecasting, Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Excel Modeling, Private Equity, Acquisitions, Cross-border M&A, Payment-in-Kind (PIK) Notes, Due Diligence, Debt, Senior Secured Debt, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Modeling, Mezzanine, Bonds, Leveraged Buyout Modeling
Analyst, Leveraged Finance
2003 - 2005
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)
- Built financial models and analyzed financial impact of due diligence findings on landmark leveraged finance transactions in the Nordic region and Germany, Austria and Switzerland where RBS acted as Mandated Lead Arranger, including Terra Firma's €7 billion acquisition of Viterra, Permira's €700 million acquisition of Debitel, and EQT's more than €1 billion acquisition of Sanitec.
- Participated in RBS's London-based Global Banking & Markets Graduate Trainee Programme.
- Supported all aspects of internal approval processes, syndication of loans and securities, and communications with clients through analysis and presentation materials.
Focus areas: Credit Reviews, Capital Structuring, Board Decks, Cash Flow Forecasting, Financial Forecasting, Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Excel Modeling, Senior Secured Debt, Payment-in-Kind (PIK) Notes, Acquisitions, Mezzanine, Private Equity, Cross-border M&A, Leveraged Finance, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Target Screening, Due Diligence, Financial Modeling
Other Experience
Publication
Google Apps Script Tutorial for Mastering Macros
https://www.toptal.com/management-consultants/excel-experts/google-apps-script-tutorial
Publication
Python and Finance: Power Up Your Spreadsheets
https://www.toptal.com/management-consultants/financial-modelers/python-and-finance
Publication
Forecaster’s Toolbox: How to Perform Monte Carlo Simulations
https://www.toptal.com/management-consultants/financial-forecasting/monte-carlo-simulation
Education
2005 - 2006
Master's Degree in Finance
Boston College - Boston, MA, USA
1999 - 2003
Bachelor's Degree in International Business
European Business School - London, UK
Certifications
SEPTEMBER 2015 - PRESENT
Passed all three levels of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program
CFA Institute
Skills
Finance
Capital Structuring, Credit Risk, DCF Valuation, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Modeling, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Budgeting, Capital Raising, International Finance, Seed Fundraising, Equity Valuation, CFO, Forecasting, Private Company Valuation, Senior Secured Debt, Credit Reviews, Due Diligence, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Mezzanine, Corporate Finance, Risk, Startup Funding, Cross-border M&A, Working Capital Management, Investment Briefs, Investment Monitoring, Venture Funding, Cash Flow Modeling, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Management, Debt, Payment-in-Kind (PIK) Notes, Cash Flow Forecasting, Accounting, M&A Modeling, Comparable Company Analysis, Private Equity
Output Software
Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Google Slides, Google Sheets, Mekko Graphics, Microsoft Word
Industry Expertise
Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, High-tech Startups, Industrial & Manufacturing, Venture Capital, Software, Early-stage Startups
Geographic Expertise
Sweden, United Kingdom, Chile, Austria, Finland, Switzerland, Spain, China, Norway, Brazil, Germany, United States
Data & Analysis Software
Pandas, SQL, Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, Salesforce, Capital IQ, Financial Data
Other
Excel Modeling, Finance, Google Apps Script, Big Data, Monte Carlo Simulations, Python, Mentorship & Coaching, Target Screening, Leadership, Budget Modeling, Acquisitions, Equity Investment, Board Presentations, Early-stage Funding, Think-cell, Program Management, Execution, Post-merger Integration, Business Strategy, Strategy, Leveraged Finance, Databases, Startups, IPython, Interim CFO, Analytics, Google Data Studio, Financial Statements, Financial Forecasting, Strategic Planning & Execution, Investor Presentations, Early-stage Venture Capital, Business Planning, Bonds, Accounting Software, CRM Systems, Customer Service, Operating Models, DCF Modeling, Board Decks, Transaction Comparables, Google Cloud, Data Engineering, Divestitures, REST APIs, Manufacturing, Management, Investments, Behavioral Economics, Corporate Governance, Consulting, Programming, CleanTech, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Industrial Equipment
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