The verdict in three sentences
When a group of 6 subsidiaries runs on 3 different ERPs, a 10-day lag on KPIs almost always has the same root cause: no shared chart of accounts and no common dimensions. A group dashboard project costs in order of magnitude EUR 15,000 to 50,000 excluding VAT in connectors and data model, plus EUR 300 to 1,500 per month to run. The realistic goal is to speed up month-end close by 3 to 5 days and read consolidated revenue, margin and cash every morning.
Where the 10-day lag comes from
Each month the CFO receives 6 Excel files built differently. Subsidiary A tracks revenue by product family, B by customer, C does not isolate intercompany flows. The financial controller spends a week restating, mapping accounts and eliminating internal sales by hand. The executive committee therefore decides on month M figures seen at M+10.
| Component | Role | 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| ERP connectors (3 systems) | Daily extraction of entries, sales, stock | EUR 4,000 to 15,000 excl. VAT |
| Shared reference model | Group chart of accounts, analytical axes, mapping per subsidiary | EUR 3,000 to 10,000 excl. VAT |
| Data warehouse | Historised storage, intercompany eliminations, currencies | EUR 200 to 1,000 per month |
| Data model and calculations | Measures, scopes, budget and prior-year comparisons | EUR 4,000 to 15,000 excl. VAT |
| Power BI reports | Group view, subsidiary view, cash, alerts | EUR 3,000 to 10,000 excl. VAT |
| Power BI Pro licences | About EUR 14 per user per month | EUR 280 per month for 20 users |
| Total project | Excluding licences and hosting | EUR 15,000 to 50,000 excl. VAT |
The range depends mostly on ERP quality: a recent ERP with an API plugs in within days, while an old accounting package without clean exports can alone require EUR 8,000 of work. If subsidiaries sit outside the euro zone (Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal), plan for conversion at average and closing rates too.
What the group gains, KPI by KPI
| Indicator | Today (estimate) | After the project |
|---|---|---|
| Time until figures are available | M+10 | D+1 for the flash, M+5 to M+7 for the close |
| Controller time spent restating | 5 to 7 days per month | 1 to 2 days |
| Intercompany eliminations | Manual, in spreadsheets | Automatic by partner code |
| Gaps between subsidiaries and group | Frequent, debated in committee | Reconciled at source |
| Access for subsidiary heads | File sent by email | Secure report, row-level security |
| Cash monitoring | Weekly | Daily, all banks |
Watch point: a dashboard does not fix poor configuration. The most useful and often underestimated workstream is mapping accounts and axes with each subsidiary's accountant. Plan 2 to 4 workshops per subsidiary.
Mini case study
Illustrative scenario: Olivier, CFO of a distribution group with 6 subsidiaries in France and Belgium, ties up a financial controller 6 days per month on consolidation, at a loaded daily cost of EUR 450: EUR 32,400 per year. After the project, 1.5 days remain: EUR 8,100, i.e. EUR 24,300 saved. The project costs EUR 32,000 excluding VAT, plus 20 Power BI Pro licences at EUR 14 and EUR 400 of warehouse per month, about EUR 8,200 per year. Time savings alone repay the project in roughly 2 years; the real return comes from stock and pricing decisions taken 3 weeks earlier.
FAQ
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Do we need to harmonise subsidiary ERPs before consolidating?
No, that is precisely the point of the data warehouse. You keep the 3 ERPs and build the shared reference model on top, which costs 5 to 10 times less than an ERP migration.
Is Power BI the only option?
No, Looker Studio, Qlik or Tableau also work. Power BI remains the most common choice for SMEs and mid-caps already on Microsoft 365, with a Pro licence around EUR 14 per user per month.
How long until a first usable dashboard?
Allow 6 to 10 weeks for a revenue and margin flash across the 6 subsidiaries. Full consolidation with intercompany eliminations and cash takes 3 to 5 months.
Will subsidiary heads see each other's figures?
Only if you decide so. Row-level security limits each head to their subsidiary, while group management sees everything.
Does this dashboard replace statutory consolidation software?
Not necessarily. It serves monthly management reporting; for audited consolidated accounts, many groups keep a dedicated tool fed by the same reference model.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the number of subsidiaries, your ERPs and the KPIs your committee expects: we price connectors, reference model and reports in phases, with an indicative budget and a go-live schedule. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
