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Why Finance Leaders Should Implement CPM Before ERP

By: Nova Advisory on Thu, Aug 21, 2025

OneStream Corporate Performance Management CPM ERP
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For Finance, Accounting, and IT Financial Systems leaders tasked with building a financial systems roadmap, one strategic decision can dramatically shape the success of your transformation:

Should you implement a Corporate Performance Management (CPM) solution like OneStream before rolling out a new ERP?

While ERP systems are essential for transactional processing, they’re not designed to solve the strategic, analytical, and reporting needs that finance leaders face today. That’s where CPM comes in — and why implementing OneStream first can be a game-changer.

1. Build a Strategic Foundation Before Operational Complexity

ERP implementations often begin with a focus on transactional workflows — the how of business operations. But CPM starts with the why: strategic planning, performance measurement, and financial analysis.

By implementing OneStream first, finance leaders can:

  • Define key metrics, reporting structures, and strategic objectives before ERP design begins.

  • Align senior leadership around a top-down view of performance and decision-making.

  • Deliver faster time to value — CPM projects often go live in six months or less, enabling immediate improvements in budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.

Real-world example: A global manufacturing leader implemented OneStream to unify planning and reporting across regions before launching a multi-year ERP upgrade. This gave executives immediate visibility into performance and helped shape ERP requirements based on real business needs.

2. Bridge the Gap During ERP Transitions

ERP upgrades are disruptive. CPM provides stability.

OneStream acts as a “bridge to the future” by:

  • Offering a consistent platform for consolidation, reporting, and planning during ERP transitions.

  • Modeling new data structures, reporting hierarchies, and Chart of Accounts — informing ERP design.

  • Integrating data from multiple sources (including legacy ERPs), ensuring a single version of the truth.

Real-world example: A diversified industrial company used OneStream to consolidate financials across five ERP systems during a phased rollout. The CPM platform ensured continuity in reporting and enabled agile planning throughout the transition.

3. Optimize ERP Requirements and Adoption

Implementing CPM first helps clarify what the ERP needs to support.

With OneStream in place, finance leaders can:

  • Articulate ERP requirements based on actual reporting and analytical needs.

  • Reduce rework and delays by scoping ERP functionality more accurately.

  • Improve user adoption — finance teams already familiar with OneStream’s modern interface are more receptive to ERP changes.

Real-world example: A global consumer goods company used OneStream to automate intercompany eliminations and financial close processes. This freed up resources and allowed the ERP team to focus on operational workflows without being bogged down by reporting complexities.

4. Accelerate Finance Transformation

OneStream isn’t just a stop gap — it’s a catalyst for long-term agility.

Benefits include:

  • Rapid adaptation to changing business needs (e.g., scenario planning, ESG reporting).

  • A unified platform that reduces technical debt and eliminates fragmented tools.

  • Streamlined workflows that shift finance teams from manual tasks to strategic analysis.

Real-world example: A multinational services provider replaced multiple legacy CPM tools with OneStream, gaining real-time insights and reducing close cycles by 40%. The platform’s scalability supported future acquisitions and restructuring efforts without impacting the acquired company’s legacy ERP.

Final Thought: Ask the Right Questions Before You Commit

Before locking in your ERP architecture, ask:

  • Can my ERP handle multiple Charts of Accounts and fiscal calendars?

  • Will I need to consolidate across different hierarchies or ownership structures?

  • How will I manage audit requirements and internal controls?

  • What happens when we acquire a new entity or expand internationally?

If the answers raise concerns, it’s time to consider OneStream.

Next Steps

To discuss these considerations for your specific situation with a Nova Advisory thought leader, contact us here: Are you ready for clarity?

As the leading OneStream Diamond partner, we bring deep expertise in OneStream consulting to help you evaluate the right path for your financial systems roadmap — and ensure it aligns with your business goals.

Fill out the form on our website Start Your OneStream Project | Nova Advisory to start the conversation.