About

Jacques Averbuch

Senior finance executive. 25 years in Czech Republic. Founder of Avenir Consulting s.r.o.

Jacques Averbuch

Jacques Averbuch

Founder — Avenir Consulting

BasedPrague, Czech Republic
Since1998 in Czech Republic
NationalityFrench
AvailableImmediately
CompanyAvenir Consulting s.r.o.
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Biography

Jacques Averbuch

Founder — Avenir Consulting s.r.o.

I have spent my entire career in finance, in industrial manufacturing environments, in the Czech Republic. Since arriving in Prague in 1998 as Financial Controller at Iveco Czech Republic (Irisbus), I have held senior finance leadership roles across aerospace, automotive, packaging, and precision manufacturing — all within Czech-based subsidiaries of international groups.

Over 25 years, I have seen what works and what does not when international groups try to run finance operations in Czech Republic. I have managed through the 2008 financial crisis, Covid-19, the automotive chip shortage, a complete plant destruction, and two major corporate mergers. Each situation taught me something that no textbook covers.

I founded Avenir Consulting to put that experience directly at the service of companies that need senior finance leadership — fast, without bureaucracy, and with genuine accountability for results.

My approach is hands-on. I work on-site, close to operations, and I am direct about what I see. I take on a limited number of mandates at a time to ensure full commitment to each client.

Working style

Pragmatic, structured, and direct. I prioritise cash and clarity — two things that are often in short supply when a business is under pressure. I build trust with local teams quickly, and I report to group management with honesty rather than diplomacy.

Approach

What I believe about interim finance leadership

Speed matters more than perfection

When a business needs a CFO, it needs one now. A good plan executed immediately beats a perfect plan that takes six weeks to produce. I prioritise fast diagnosis and quick stabilisation.

Cash is always the priority

Whatever the situation, understanding and protecting cash flow comes first. Everything else — reporting, controls, strategy — is secondary until the cash position is clear and managed.

Finance should serve the business

Numbers without context are noise. Good finance leadership means understanding what drives the business — not just reporting what happened, but explaining why and what to do about it.

Local knowledge is not optional

Czech accounting, labour law, banking relationships, and business culture are specific. International standards matter, but they must be applied by someone who understands the local reality.

Skills

Areas of expertise

ReportingIFRS, Czech GAAP, local statutory requirements
AccountingMonth-end close, consolidation, statutory accounts
PlanningBudgeting, forecasting, management reporting, KPIs
TreasuryCash flow, FX risk management, banking relationships
ERPSAP FI/CO — implementation and operational use
RestructuringRecovery plans, cost reduction, crisis management
M&APost-acquisition integration, group standards alignment
PurchasingStrategic sourcing, supplier negotiation, savings programmes
Languages

Truly multilingual

French
Native
Czech
Bilingual
English
Bilingual
German
Fluent
Italian
Fluent
Russian
Working knowledge
Education

Academic background

1987 – 1990

Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris (ESCP)

Option: Accounting, Audit & Management

1991

DECF — Diplôme d'Études Comptables et Financières

French state diploma in accounting and financial studies

1991 – 1995

BDA Deloitte & Touche, Lyon

Auditor, then Senior Auditor — legal financial audit, M&A evaluations, court-ordered legal expertises

References

What clients say

“

Jacques has been working on improvement of the profitability of the Business Unit, on the reorganization of the controlling and on the improvement of the financial reporting. Noticeably, his work led to significant savings through renegotiation of trade conditions with the banks. Besides, Jacques helped fixing the crisis situation resulting from the destruction of our plant by fire. Jacques' valuable work has been greatly appreciated and we would recommend him to any potential employer in a comparable position.

AS
Alfons Schwarze
BU Director — Novares Group
October 2024
Novares
“

Jacques took on this new position and performed his role capably, managing standard controller duties along with handling the creation of a new legal entity separating GBS activities from the existing entity and creating new allocation keys for GBS costs. He is a senior professional with a broad range of experience and is a pleasure to work with.

TA
Timo Allinen
Director, GBS Excellence — Aptar Group
June 2025
Aptar

Original recommendation letters available on request.

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