Improved Data Integrity and Greater Level of Detail

The Client

Founded in 1964, Cascades offers sustainable, innovative, and value-added packaging, hygiene, and recovery solutions. The company employs 11,000 women and men across a network of over 90 production units located in North America and Europe. Driven by its participative management, half a century of experience in recycling, and continuous research and development efforts, Cascades continues to provide innovative products that customers have come to rely on, while contributing to the well-being of people, communities, and the entire planet.

Business Issues

• Excel-based consolidation, budgeting, and reporting models
• Labor-intensive data collection and report development process
• More time spent reconciling numbers than managing business
• Reporting errors on internal management and regulatory reports
• Increased internal and regulatory reporting requirements
• Implemented Longview Consolidation solution to streamline and improve global financial close process
• Key Processes: Automated Data Import, Foreign Currency Translation, Cash Flow, Intercompany Eliminations, Statistical and KPI calculations, Proportionate Consolidation Calculation, Capital Expenditure Tracking System, Automated calculation of EBITDA variance from period to period, and Statistical and KPI information (input and calculated)

Benefits and Impact

• Reduced Consolidation process by 50%
• Greater insight into why results have changed from period to period
• Improved data integrity and greater level of detail
• Centralized repository for all financial data—“one version of truth”
• More time for analysis vs manual processes
• Early error detection increases data accuracy and reduces consolidation cycle time
• Automated workflow improves monthly close cycle efficiency
• Single system, single database reduces IT complexity