FICTIONAL WORKSHOP SOURCE
Candidate interview
MT02 | internal | 2026-10-23 | S01

Rowan: Alex, describe the cash forecasting change you personally owned. I am interested in the decision and the people involved, not just the result.

Alex: I chaired the weekly review and brought operations into it. Our controller built the model. The old conversation treated the spreadsheet as finance’s problem.

Rowan: What did you change when operations challenged the assumptions?

Alex: We recorded collection assumptions separately from signed commitments. Sales initially wanted one optimistic figure because they were worried about the lender reaction.

Rowan: What evidence would show that this was more than a better meeting?

Alex: Forecast error came down, perhaps about thirty percent. I would need to check the baseline and reporting period before you quote that figure.

Rowan: Was that thirty percentage points, or a relative reduction?

Alex: A relative reduction, I think, but please leave the number unconfirmed until I check. The controller has the historical reports.

Rowan: Would a London base be practical?

Alex: I might consider it if the role made sense. I have not discussed relocation with my family. Being listed in London in a directory does not settle the practical arrangement.

Rowan: Have you personally led acquisition negotiations?

Alex: I supported diligence. The CEO led the negotiation. I can describe the finance risks I identified, but should not be presented as the lead negotiator.

Rowan: I will keep the number, relocation, and negotiation scope separate in the brief. The next conversation can test lender communication in more detail.
