AARO, Aico, and Mercur Join Forces for Innovative SaaS Platform
In a significant move in the realm of corporate financial management, AARO has announced its merger with Aico and Mercur, forming a unified Software as a Service (SaaS) platform aimed at enhancing financial performance for companies operating across the EMEA region. This merger not only marks a significant step in corporate collaboration but also aims to leverage each company's strengths to deliver a comprehensive financial management solution tailored for the Office of the CFO.
The Launch of a Comprehensive Financial SaaS Solution
On July 14, 2025, Accel-KKR, a prominent global investment firm focused on technology, confirmed the successful acquisition of AARO, a leading provider of Corporate Performance Management (CPM) solutions. This strategic acquisition amalgamates AARO with other notable financial software providers, Aico and Mercur, uniting their capabilities to deliver a robust and unified financial management platform.
Michael Teixeira has been appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the newly formed group, bringing extensive experience in guiding high-growth technological companies. His leadership will be pivotal as the team navigates the complex landscape of financial performance software, allowing for a seamless integration of technologies and solutions offered by AARO, Aico, and Mercur.
Revolutionizing Financial Leadership
This fusion is positioned as a transformative shift in financial leadership within the region. By combining the expertise of each company, the new entity will provide:
- - Automated Financial Closing: Aico’s automation capabilities streamline and optimize the financial closing processes.
- - Expenditure Planning and Administration: Mercur brings advanced tools for expenditure planning (xPA), budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
- - Group Consolidation and Reporting: AARO enhances capabilities related to enterprise-level consolidation and reporting, thus addressing the diverse financial management needs across various organizations.
A Holistic Approach to Financial Management
The integrated SaaS platform aims to offer a comprehensive solution encompassing various functions critical to finance departments. It promises automation, regulatory compliance, and actionable insights, facilitating rapid decision-making and enhanced governance.
Michael Teixeira emphasizes that this merger represents more than just a corporate alliance; it is a strategic unification aimed at creating an integrated cloud solution that supports finance executives throughout the value chain—from transaction recording to comprehensive reporting.
“By combining AARO, Aico, and Mercur, we are crafting a cohesive and integrated platform that assists CFOs in managing everything from local transaction closures to group-level consolidated reporting,” Teixeira remarked. “This positions us uniquely to meet the needs of growing enterprises throughout EMEA.”
Market Reach and Client Impact
With operational presence in Nordic countries, the United Kingdom, Ireland, BENELUX, the DACH region, the Middle East, and Africa, the merged entity is set to enhance financial operations for thousands of mid-market and large enterprises. Key benefits for clients include:
1.
Unified SaaS Solution: A complete cloud-based solution that supports all financial functions, incorporating consolidation, budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting.
2.
Enhanced Accuracy and Efficiency: AI-powered automation minimizes manual efforts, mitigates risks, and bolsters data integrity across financial closing processes.
3.
Streamlined User Experience: The integrated platform simplifies the system landscape, making it user-friendly for financial teams.
4.
Continuous Innovation: Enhanced capabilities driven by the combined experiences of global product and engineering teams dedicated to addressing CFO challenges.
5.
Scalable Future-Ready Solutions: A modular solution capable of growing alongside an organization’s diverse needs, adapting to various compliance requirements and geographical expansions.
6.
Highly Configurable Software: The adaptable SaaS platform integrates seamlessly with clients’ core systems, thereby improving operational efficiency and eradicating data silos.
Strategic Backing and Future Vision
The merger follows substantial investments by Accel-KKR in Aico and Mercur, culminating in AARO's involvement, highlighting a long-term commitment to developing a premier cloud financial software suite. Maurice Hernandez, General Partner at Accel-KKR, articulated the firm’s vision for an integrated financial SaaS platform. “Our investment underscores our ambition to establish a unique solution for the complex requirements of the CFO office,” he stated.
About the Companies
AARO
Founded in 1989, AARO provides CPM software for accounting, consolidation, and group financial reporting, supporting multinational enterprises in complying with IFRS and local GAAP standards.
Aico
Established in 2019, Aico is a financial closing automation platform designed for mid-sized and large companies across Europe, offering faster and accurate month-end reporting while ensuring compliance.
Mercur Solutions
With a history spanning 50 years, Mercur Solutions specializes in CPM software for budgeting, planning, forecasting, and reporting, providing automation and analysis capabilities via its cloud platform, Mercur Business Control.
Accel-KKR
A leading technology investment firm, Accel-KKR manages over $23 billion in capital commitments, aiming to foster growth and value in software and technology companies globally.
This merger signifies a pivotal step in revolutionizing financial leadership, creating pathways for enhanced performance and management efficiency across the EMEA region.