Financial Management & Corporate Finance Case Study

Case Title:

Unilever Limited: Transforming the Finance ‘Function’

Abstract:
The case studywas primarilywritten to understand the transformation of finance ‘function’ in themodern corporateworld. Meant to be discussed in the initial stages of a financial managementmodule, this case studyprovides a holistic perspective onwhat is expected of aCFOin a large company. In the evolvingbusiness environment, the role of finance function is undergoingmassive changes.The transformationof finance function has enlarged the role of CFO. The increased role of CFO and wide scope of finance function is creating complexities and posingunintended challenges.At the same time, the successof a company depends on the effectivemanagement of finance function and suchmanagement becomes eventougher inamultinational company.Thecase studyhelps tounderstandthe complexities involvedin effectivelydischarginga finance department’s functions fromthepointof view of a CFO, atUnilever Ltd.

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To understand the position and importance of finance in an organisation
• To analyse the interface of finance functionwith other functional areas
• To understand the required skill sets for an effectiveCFO.

Keywords : Finance Function; Treasury; Controller; CFO; Chief Financial Officer; US GAAP; Global Treasury Centre; Cash Flows; Risk Management ; Hedging; Foreign Exchange; Finance for Managers; MBA; Course Case Maps; Principles of Financial Management; Financial Management; Managerial Finance; Business Finance; Corporate Finance; Course Case Packs; Financial Management Course Case Pack; Financial Management Course Case