When a publicly traded global pharmaceutical company closed a multi-billion-dollar acquisition, leadership faced an immediate reality: financial data from the acquired entity had to flow into SAP from day one, long before full ERP and financial integration would be complete. While the broader integration timeline extended through 2026, the company required an interim solution immediately following close to ensure accurate, timely financial visibility and support ongoing reporting and decision-making.
Our M&A-focused team was engaged prior to acquisition close to design, test, and implement a secure and scalable financial integration process. The solution needed to operate reliably during a prolonged transition period while supporting accurate reporting, consolidation, and compliance requirements.
The client faced a narrow window to prepare for post-acquisition financial reporting. The integration process had to be fully designed, tested, and ready before the transaction closed, with all communications routed through secured channels.
Internally, the organization lacked the bandwidth to absorb additional project work while managing ongoing operations. The complexity increased further due to unexpected turnover, requiring robust documentation and a structured training approach to ensure continuity.
Compounding these challenges, the integration needed to function across different ERP environments, align disparate charts of accounts, and operate within strict month-end timelines.
Our team began work several months before acquisition close, following a structured, phased methodology to ensure readiness and minimize risk.
We first identified the financial data fields required within the client’s SAP environment to support reporting and consolidation. From there, we designed an export process from the acquired company’s ERP system that aligned with those requirements.
Next, we developed a systematic method to convert the acquired company’s financial data to the client’s chart of accounts, followed by a controlled upload process into SAP. Alteryx was used to automate chart of account mapping, generate exception reports to validate completeness, and create upload-ready files.
Collaboration was central to success. Our team worked closely with legacy staff from the acquired organization, external consultants, and internal stakeholders. As the process matured, discussions shifted from initial design considerations to ongoing process improvements focused on eliminating errors and reducing manual intervention. Communication adapted as needed through a mix of standing meetings, ad hoc discussions, emails, and secure messaging.
By delivering a reliable, scalable financial integration process ahead of acquisition close, our team enabled the client to maintain reporting continuity during a complex, multi-year transition. The solution provided stability at a critical moment, allowing leadership to focus on strategic integration priorities while ensuring accurate financial data flowed into SAP without disruption. This engagement reflects DLC’s ability to step in during high-stakes M&A activity and deliver practical, execution-focused solutions that support long-term operational confidence.
