Introduction
Following a large-scale merger, a global media organization faced increasing pressure to improve cash flow visibility and financial efficiency. While revenues remained stable, poor working capital management limited liquidity and reduced the organization’s ability to reinvest and respond to market dynamics.
The challenge was not growth; it was unlocking trapped cash within existing operations.
Customer
A multinational media enterprise undergoing post-merger integration, dealing with fragmented financial processes and inconsistent cash management practices across business units.
Business Objective
- Improve cash conversion cycle and free cash flow visibility
- Identify and unlock working capital trapped in operations
- Standardize financial processes across merged entities
- Strengthen control over receivables and payables
Scope of Services
Working Capital Diagnostic
Conducted a structured assessment of accounts receivable and payable processes, identifying inefficiencies across the cash cycle.
Process Deep-Dive (Order-to-Cash & Procure-to-Pay)
Analyzed end-to-end financial workflows to uncover delays in collections and inefficiencies in vendor payment structures.
Opportunity Identification & Prioritization
Identified multiple high-impact levers to improve liquidity, including customer payment delays and suboptimal vendor terms.
Financial Visibility Framework
Designed a centralized tracking and reporting mechanism to monitor working capital performance across business units.
Transformation Roadmap & Governance
Established a structured execution plan supported by a program management office (PMO) to drive adoption and ensure accountability.
Key Challenges Addressed
- Lack of visibility into real-time cash flow performance
- Delayed customer payments impacting liquidity
- Vendor payment terms below industry benchmarks
- Fragmented financial processes post-merger
- Absence of standardized working capital governance
Benefits
Improved Cash Visibility
Enabled leadership to track free cash flow and working capital performance in real time
Optimized Financial Processes
Standardized receivables and payables management across business units
Stronger Vendor & Customer Management
Improved control over payment cycles and contractual terms
Structured Financial Governance
Introduced accountability through centralized monitoring and execution frameworks
Impact
- Identified opportunities to unlock $800M+ in cash benefits within two months
- Improved cash conversion cycle across business units
- Reduced delays in receivables and optimized payables structure
- Strengthened financial control in a post-merger environment
