Christian Andrade
Fenix Partner Director
São Paulo, Brazil
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PhD in Accounting and Finance from Universidade de São Paulo (FEA-USP), researching the impact of corporate governance distance on cross-border M&A performance, 11 years as Partner Director at Fênix Consultoria, 7 years as CFO at Fumex Tabacalera (American subsidiary), and 4 years as CIO at CdF International(Dutch Company).
Has successfully led 5 cross-border M&A transactions, leveraging Microsoft Business Central (BC) for financial integration, valuation, and post-merger process harmonization. More than 100 ERP implementations in more than 20 countries.
Holds dual Master’s degrees (Management Science – University of Kent, UK, and Accounting – UFBA), an MBA in Corporate Finance (FGV), and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Computer Science (UFBA). Certified PgMP and PMP (PMI). Recognized for natural leadership, mentoring, and coaching abilities, with high commitment, structured thinking, and excellent negotiation skills.
Area of Expertise
Topics
The Death of Waterfall: How Agile and Copilot Are Redefining Business Central ERP Projects
Waterfall was the standard approach for ERP implementations: extensive planning, rigid timelines, and final delivery after months of execution. This method worked well in stable environments, but modern ERP projects—especially with cloud-based platforms like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central—require speed, flexibility, and continuous adaptation.
Agile project management addresses this need. It delivers value in short sprints, involves users early, and allows for ongoing validation and improvement. In a platform like Business Central, which evolves monthly and supports rapid configuration, Agile is no longer a preference—it is a necessity.
Copilot adds another layer of intelligence to this process. Integrated into Project Operations and Business Central, Copilot uses AI to predict delays, identify risks, optimize schedules, and recommend task reallocations. It acts as a proactive, data-driven project assistant that enhances planning and execution at every step.
Fênix Consulting recently led a multi-site Microsoft Business Central ERP rollout using Agile methodology combined with Copilot automation. Results: 40% cheaper & 50% faster. Copilot provided real-time progress updates, early risk alerts, and AI-driven insights that optimized training schedules and prevented bottlenecks in key phases such as data migration and user acceptance testing.
Session will present the the case and demonstrate how Agile and Copilot are transforming Business Central implementations.
Don’t Panic!!!: What You Must Know Before Implementing Business Central Outside Europe
Implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central outside Europe presents unique challenges that require careful planning. Unlike Europe, where 82 percent of countries have Microsoft-owned localizations, only 18 percent of countries outside Europe benefit from the same. This means most projects rely on third-party ISVs or custom-built solutions based on the W1 version, which often lack full compliance with local tax laws and regulatory standards. Tenant integration is also a challenge, This can lead to latency, license issues, and legal complications.
Microsoft partners outside Europe may not be familiar with European-level compliance requirements such as the Finance Model, GDPR, or IFRS, increasing the risk of design and process gaps. Tax systems also vary significantly and often require integration with local government platforms, such as electronic invoicing systems or tax reporting APIs. These systems change frequently, demanding continuous updates to ensure compliance and avoid penalties.
Projects outside Europe typically face longer timelines due to language barriers, cultural differences, time zone misalignment, and the need for multiple implementation teams. User adoption may also suffer without proper training and localization. To succeed, companies must invest in strong project governance, engage legal and tax experts early, and balance a global architecture with local adaptations to deliver a compliant and scalable ERP solution.
How to Boost CB M&A Performance with Microsoft BC: 10 Tips for a High-Performance Due Diligence
Cross-border mergers and acquisitions (CBM&A) are no longer just financial deals — they are governance and data integration challenges. The strongest predictor of post-merger success is the acquirer’s ability to transfer and align governance practices, turning institutional complexity into operational performance.
BC within the Microsoft Cloud Architecture provides the digital backbone to make this process seamless. BC integrates finance, ESG, compliance, and analytics into a single data model.
BC extends it into the integration phase — automating governance transfer, consolidating financial reporting, and enabling real-time monitoring via Power BI and Copilot.
With this architecture, organizations can:
Unify governance standards using BC’s ESG and compliance tools;
Harmonize financial structures with a shared COA and intercompany automation;
Monitor alignment through Power BI dashboards and Copilot insights;
Automate governance intelligence, detecting risks and recommending corrective actions.
Empirical research shows that firms that transfer stronger governance across borders can achieve up to 30% higher EBITDA and ROA growth within three years.
In this session, we’ll explore 10 AI-Driven Tips for Intelligent Due Diligence:
Transfer Governance (5 tips): Standardize financial and non-financial governance using BC, ESG modules, and shared dashboards.
Align Governance (5 tips): Drive consistent performance with intercompany automation, harmonized KPIs, and a unified BC tenant.
Optimizing LATAM Operations with Microsoft BC and Copilot: A Unified Architecture Approach
A robust finance core model and multi-country LATAM localization have been implemented within a single Business Central (BC) tenant architecture, supporting 500 BC users across the region. This approach, successfully deployed in Brazil and Colombia, with plans to expand to Mexico and Peru, leverages Microsoft Business Central to create a unified finance core model that supports the unique localization requirements of each LATAM country while maintaining centralized financial governance. The architecture features a single chart of accounts, unified dimensions, and master data across all countries, with the BC consolidation tool efficiently managing financial operations. Microsoft Copilot accelerates the development process, enabling the rapid generation of LATAM-specific financial reports and customized dashboards. Centralized support, user administration, and development are managed in Brazil, ensuring consistency and efficiency across the region. This project demonstrates how a well-designed BC architecture, focused on a strong finance core model, can streamline operations and drive compliance across multiple LATAM countries within a single tenant environment.
Optimizing LATAM Operations with Microsoft BC and Copilot: A Unified Architecture Approach
A robust finance core model and multi-country LATAM localization have been implemented within a single Business Central (BC) tenant architecture, supporting 500 BC users across the region. This approach, successfully deployed in Brazil and Colombia, with plans to expand to Mexico and Peru, leverages Microsoft Business Central to create a unified finance core model that supports the unique localization requirements of each LATAM country while maintaining centralized financial governance. The architecture features a single chart of accounts, unified dimensions, and master data across all countries, with the BC consolidation tool efficiently managing financial operations. Microsoft Copilot accelerates the development process, enabling the rapid generation of LATAM-specific financial reports and customized dashboards. Centralized support, user administration, and development are managed in Brazil, ensuring consistency and efficiency across the region. This project demonstrates how a well-designed BC architecture, focused on a strong finance core model, can streamline operations and drive compliance across multiple LATAM countries within a single tenant environment.
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