Senior HR and CFO leadership – exactly when you need it.
candea supports SMEs, scale-ups, and large companies with senior expertise in human resources and finance: as an interim solution, on a part-time mandate, or project by project. We don't just advise – we implement with you.
Interim and fractional CFO, financial strategy and governance, finance transformation, ERP and AI – from the founding phase to international group structures.
A full leadership role for a defined period – for example as interim CFO during a vacancy, transformation, or crisis. With operational responsibility and decision-making authority.
Ideal for: vacancies, crises, transformations
Fractional / retainer
Ongoing senior support on a part-time basis, for example one to two days per week or a fixed number of hours. Your sparring partner for management and the board – without the cost of a permanent hire.
Minimum term: 3 months
Fixed-price project
Clearly defined initiatives with agreed scope, timeline, and price – such as a finance health check, an HR audit, or preparing a financing round.
Scope and price agreed upfront
For occasional questions and sparring, we also work on an hourly basis. Fees are agreed individually and transparently.
Approach
From the first conversation to a lasting solution
Initial call
Free and without obligation, 30–45 minutes by video or in person. We clarify your situation, goals, and needs.
Clear proposal
You receive a proposal with defined scope, timeline, and transparent pricing – no hidden costs.
Implementation
We work hands-on, take responsibility, and keep you informed with regular updates.
Handover
A clean handover with documentation and recommendations – so your company is stronger and more independent afterwards.
Collaboration
What you can count on
Practical
No theoretical concepts without grounding – simple, needs-based solutions.
Individual
Tailored to the size, industry, and situation of your company.
As equals
Clear even without an HR or finance background – with transparent communication.
Hands-on
We implement rather than just recommend – with execution accountability at every level.
Trustworthy
HR and finance are sensitive areas – discretion and trust are our foundation.
Sustainable
Solutions that take root in the company and have lasting impact.
From our practice
Experience we bring
A few examples from our partners' previous leadership roles – without company names, for confidentiality.
Finance
Structured complex financings
Structuring and executing complex bank financings, external financing solutions, and sale-and-leaseback transactions with volumes of up to several hundred million.
Finance · AI
AI integration in a corporate finance function
Clean data structures, a harmonized ERP landscape, and automation as the foundation for AI-supported finance processes – in a large company with thousands of employees.
Finance
Set up a pension fund
Founded a Swiss pension fund and serving as a foundation board member of two pension funds – including governance and employee benefit solutions.
HR
Built and realigned HR organizations
Build-up, turnaround, outsourcing, and optimization of HR organizations in retail, services, manufacturing, and sports associations.
“Efficiency, individuality, and true added value build the foundation of how we work.”
About candea
Two partners. Personally accountable.
candea is an owner-managed boutique consultancy in Zurich. Both partners work on every engagement themselves – no subcontracting and no delegation risk.
Ramona Leuener
Partner · HR Expertise
For more than 20 years, Ramona Leuener has shaped HR functions at SMEs and international companies – strategically and operationally.
Several years of leadership experience at senior management level
Build-up, turnaround, outsourcing, and optimization of HR organizations
Rooted in retail, services, manufacturing, and sports associations
Former lecturer in HR management and leadership at HSO Kaderschule
Master of Human Resource Management
Languages: German, English, French, Italian
Frank Powa
Partner · Finance Excellence
Frank Powa brings many years of C-level experience as CFO and CIO in a global corporate environment – from founding phase through hypergrowth to large enterprise.
Corporate finance, FP&A, controlling, M&A, and real estate portfolio management
Complex financing solutions and banking relationships
Digital transformation and AI integration in finance and operations
Set up Swiss pension fund solutions; foundation board member of two pension funds
Broad experience in retail, FMCG, and CPG
Global Executive MBA, IE Business School
Languages: German, English
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What does candea do, and who is it for?
candea brings together senior expertise in two complementary areas under one roof: HR and finance. Our services are aimed at SMEs, scale-ups, and mid-sized to large companies in the DACH region that need professional leadership on an interim or mandate basis – without the overhead of a permanent hire.
How is candea different from traditional consulting firms?
We don't deliver theoretical concepts – we take responsibility for implementation. Both partners bring more than 20 years of leadership experience and, if needed, take on full line functions for a defined period. Our focus is on clear results – not follow-up assignments.
What is the difference between an interim CFO and a fractional CFO?
An interim CFO takes on the full CFO role for a defined period – with full operational responsibility, for example during a vacancy, crisis, M&A process, or transformation. A fractional CFO works on an ongoing but part-time basis, for example one to two days per week – ideal for companies that need strategic finance leadership but can't yet justify a full-time CFO.
How quickly can candea start?
Simpler engagements can usually start within 5–10 business days. For more complex interim CFO situations, a start within 2–3 weeks is realistic, depending on availability and scope. Because we work on engagements ourselves rather than placing people from a pool, we briefly check the fit beforehand.
Which contract and billing models do you offer?
We offer three models: hourly billing for occasional requests and sparring, a monthly retainer for fractional CFO or HR business partner engagements with a defined number of hours (minimum term 3 months), and fixed-price engagements for clearly defined projects. All models are agreed individually.
What does working with candea cost?
Costs depend on the specific project or engagement and are agreed individually – transparently and with no hidden costs. The initial call is free and without obligation.
Do you also support startups?
Yes. Startups and young companies need a solid HR and finance foundation from the very first employee: employment contracts, policies, salary structure, onboarding, reporting, investor readiness, and a fractional CFO on demand. We deliver this in a scalable way – without you having to build your own department.
How is confidentiality ensured?
Confidentiality is a given for us and is secured through NDA agreements. We process employee data only to the contractually agreed extent; where we process data on behalf of a client, we conclude a corresponding agreement under the Swiss FADP or Art. 28 GDPR.
Contact
Let's talk about your situation.
The initial call is free and without obligation: 30–45 minutes by video or in person in Zurich. Write directly to the person responsible or to info@candea.ch.
