The Intercity Group is a family-owned, independent real estate services provider with around 65 employees and specialised companies in Zurich, Lucerne, Basel, St. Gallen, Zug and St. Moritz.
As part of a strategic realignment and the divestment of a business unit, the Intercity Group entered a phase of transformation. During this period, structures, responsibilities and operational requirements changed.
In this transition phase, the Intercity Group made a conscious decision to stabilise and further develop its central finance and HR processes, including payroll, together with an external partner. Avanta supported the Group in reliably maintaining ongoing operations, creating transparency for the Executive Management and Board of Directors, and establishing a solid foundation for the future organisation.
Initial situation
The strategic realignment of the Intercity Group brought with it a demanding transition phase. Following the divestment of a business unit, operational structures, responsibilities and requirements for internal support functions changed.
Particularly in the areas of finance and HR, key tasks had to continue to be reliably ensured — from accounting, payment transactions and financial statements to payroll runs, statutory reporting and management reporting. At the same time, responsibilities had to be reorganised, interfaces clarified and decision-making bases for the Executive Management and Board of Directors provided in a timely manner.
Additional complexity arose from the newly introduced ERP system, whose processes needed to be made stable and usable within the changed organisational structure. It was therefore crucial to quickly create clarity, set priorities and ensure operational stability throughout the ongoing transformation.
Our contribution
Avanta supported the Intercity Group during this phase as an experienced partner in the areas of accounting, HR, legal and tax. The focus was on the shared objective of reliably maintaining ongoing operations, ensuring finance and HR processes, making the newly introduced ERP system usable in day-to-day business, and providing transparent decision-making bases for the Executive Management and Board of Directors.
- Reliable continuity of ongoing operations
At the outset, the priority was to safeguard ongoing core processes. These included, in particular, payment transactions, bookkeeping, payroll runs, statutory reporting, as well as the preparation and completion of financial statements. Avanta quickly gained an overview of current topics, priorities and relevant system foundations. In parallel, responsibilities, access rights and governance principles were clearly structured to enable reliable and well-managed operations.
- Transparency and financial management foundations
Another key focus was the preparation of reliable financial information for the Executive Management and Board of Directors. Reporting was further developed, assumptions were validated and decision-making bases were established — particularly with regard to liquidity, cost structure and the delineation of the remaining business activities. As a result, the Intercity Group gained a robust foundation for operational and strategic decisions.
- Operationalisation of the ERP system and further development of processes
The newly introduced ERP system was set up and further developed in such a way that it could be used reliably in day-to-day business. Processes were simplified, pragmatically adapted to the new organisational structure and aligned with operational requirements. In addition, technical requirements in areas such as VAT, social security, withholding tax, payroll accounting and annual financial statements were reliably integrated into the processes.
Finally, key workflows were documented, responsibilities were refined and foundations were created for the stable, transparent and audit-proof continuation of the finance and HR functions.
Added value for the client
Through the partnership with Avanta, the Intercity Group was able to continue its transformation on a stable operational foundation. The central finance and HR processes were reliably ensured, responsibilities were structured more clearly and relevant decision-making bases were provided in a timely manner.
- Stability in ongoing operations
Payment transactions, bookkeeping, financial statements, payroll runs and statutory reporting were reliably continued. This gave the organisation additional security, planning reliability and continuity during a demanding transition phase.
- Transparency for the cxecutive management and Board of Directors
Through the structured preparation of financial and liquidity information, robust foundations were available for operational and strategic decisions. The Executive Management and Board of Directors gained a clear view of the financial situation and the organisation’s further development.
- Usable processes and strengthened governance
The newly introduced ERP system was embedded into day-to-day operations and made usable. Processes were simplified, responsibilities refined and key workflows documented. This created transparent, audit-proof and practical foundations for the further development of the finance and HR functions.
- A future-ready basis for further realignment
The Intercity Group was able to continue its strategic realignment with stable support functions. At the same time, foundations were created that will have an impact beyond the immediate transition phase — through clear structures, reliable processes and strengthened operational management.
“As Chairman of the Group Executive Board of the Intercity Group and CEO of Colliers Switzerland, I greatly value our collaboration with Avanta. The various specialists from the Avanta network make a valuable contribution to us every day, helping us achieve our corporate objectives. I can recommend Avanta without reservation.”
