How PixelMEDIA Integrated Two Acquisitions in One Year with Consero

PixelMEDIA (now RafterOne), a fast-growing Salesforce commerce agency, was preparing for multiple acquisitions. The business needed a robust finance and accounting (F&A) infrastructure to unify disparate systems and prepare for rapid growth, additional acquisitions, and support a future exit.

Ashley Honeyman joined PixelMEDIA as CFO during this period and turned to Consero’s outsourced model to help achieve these mission-critical objectives.

Here’s how Consero’s Finance as a Service (FaaS) solution helped PixelMEDIA modernize its finance function, integrate two acquisitions within one year, and achieve a scalable financial platform for continued expansion.

PixelMEDIA Background

Pre-Consero Challenges

Before partnering with Consero, PixelMEDIA faced several operational hurdles common to rapidly growing firms, particularly at the acquisition stage.

Building in-house vs. Outsourcing

As a seasoned CFO, Honeyman was used to building finance functions internally. However, in assessing PixelMEDIA’s situation, she weighed two options:

Overall, Consero was more cost-effective and efficient than hiring multiple in-house roles plus third-party consultants for the complex transitions.

“Consero was the cheaper alternative because they leverage resources in India and have better technology rates with their partners. They also committed to an accelerated timeline that I wouldn’t have been able to match in-house,” said Honeyman.

Consero’s FaaS Implementation

PixelMEDIA partnered with Consero to implement a holistic FaaS solution that would unify financials across multiple entities, accelerate cash-to-accrual conversion, and establish a scalable foundation for future acquisitions.

Objectives

1. Centralize & Upgrade F&A Systems from QuickBooks Enterprise to a robust ERP suitable for multi-entity consolidation.
2. Automate & Document Key Processes to streamline billing, revenue recognition, and month-end close with clear policies and minimal manual intervention.
3. Provide Operational Finance Leadership via Consero’s Controller- and VP-level resources to support day-to-day accounting, freeing the CFO for strategic initiatives.
4. Improve Audit Readiness to ensure US GAAP compliance, reliable revenue recognition practices, and thorough documentation for due diligence or future exits.

The implementation, completed in just 90 days, included:

1. Rapid ERP Deployment

• Cash-to-Accrual Conversion: Within 90 days, Consero transitioned PixelMEDIA’s finances to Sage Intacct, performing a full cash-to-accrual overhaul.
• Unified Systems: AP, T&E, and account reconciliation software integrated across all entities, all visible from Consero’s SIMPL dashboard.

2. Documenting Processes & Policies

• Month-End Close Checklists: Consero created formal close procedures with clear deadlines, enabling consistent accruals and journal entries.
• Standardized Chart of Accounts: Streamlined consolidation across PixelMEDIA, Docmation, and GearsCRM.
• Purchase Accounting Expertise: Consero’s team managed the technical components of integrating newly acquired subsidiaries into the centralized ERP.

3. Ongoing Controller & VP Support

• Dedicated Consero Team: A Consero Controller oversaw day-to-day accounting, while a VP of Finance provided higher-level guidance.
• Weekly Check-Ins: Regular meetings allowed Ashley to align on deliverables, business objectives, and investor requirements.

4. Acquisition Integration Playbook

• Two Acquisitions in One Year: The first new acquisition went live on Consero systems within months; the second followed shortly thereafter.
• Consistent Policies & Procedures: Ensured new entities were quickly and seamlessly added to the established finance infrastructure.

On the rapid transformation, Ashley Honeyman noted: “we modernized the financial stack for all three companies and did cash-to-accrual transition for two of them in a year—at least twice as fast as building in-house.”

Results: F&A Maturity in Under 90 Days

By partnering with Consero, PixelMEDIA built a best-in-class finance operation that supported multiple acquisitions and positioned the company for a potential exit.

Systems & Technology Transformation

Process Improvements

Core Benefits

1. Accelerated Month-End Close

Consolidated processes and clear documentation helped PixelMEDIA close the books faster, often by Business Day 5–10.

2. Audit-Ready Financials

US GAAP compliance, accurate revenue recognition, and robust reporting enabled smoother due diligence for investors and potential buyers.

3. Scalable Finance Organization

Consero’s FaaS model streamlined integration playbooks for new acquisitions, ensuring each entity aligned with standard policies and chart of accounts.

4. Lower Overall Costs

Consero’s single-fee approach proved more cost-effective than hiring multiple in-house roles and separate consultants for ERP implementation.

5. Strategic CFO Focus

Freed from day-to-day accounting tasks, CFO Ashley Honeyman focused on investor relations, synergy planning, and growth.

Empowering CFOs and Unlocking Rapid Growth

Through Consero’s FaaS solution, Honeyman successfully transformed PixelMEDIA’s fragmented finance function into a unified, modern, and scalable operation in far greater time than building the F&A function in-house.

By upgrading the technology stack, standardizing processes, and leveraging expert finance leadership, the company accelerated two successful acquisitions and positioned itself for continued growth and future exit readiness.

For rapidly growing professional services businesses facing similar challenges, like navigating multiple acquisitions, converting to accrual-based accounting, or preparing for a sale, Consero’s solutions offer a proven path to streamlined, cost-effective finance excellence without the need to build an entire internal team from scratch.

If you’re ready to take control of your finance function, request a meeting with our team to find a tailored solution for your needs.