As the Western economic situation is uncertain companies are focusing on driving sustainable, profitable growth whilst exploring other markets that offer greater potential. Many of our clients are seeing this as an opportunity to future proof their operations by implementing the latest technologies and operating models, whilst building teams that have the right skillset ahead of the predicted upturn. Throughout our rich history, we have worked with countless senior finance professionals who have all encountered similar challenges. Typically, these fall into 5 areas:
1. Desire for cost optimisation and a step change in operational efficiency.
We are witnessing a predictable and healthy demand for ERP professionals to shape, lead, manage or supplement client teams delivering cloud ERP migration projects. As clients better understand the cost, agility and data integration benefits of native cloud ERP applications, such as Oracle NetSuite, Grow with SAP, Workday, Oracle Fusion Financials and Microsoft D365 for Azure, the business case to migrate away from knotty, legacy, on-premise systems are easy to make. Whilst the economic backdrop remains challenging, the demand for cloud ERP project professionals continues to be robust, particularly for contractors with project management expertise, and practical experience of multiple cloud ERP deployments under their belt.
2. Ever heightened need for insights to inform decision making.
Sell more. Shrink your cost base. Align your resources. The three key levers you want to pull when times are tough. Without meaningful management information, it’s easier said than done to pull them to any effect. Consequently, we’re seeing strong demand for consultants and contractors with expertise in all the mainstream EPM and analytics systems, as customers ramp up their efforts to leverage the latest advances in integrated financial reporting and analytics solutions. Specifically, SystemsAccountants are engaged to provide interim and consultant resource to join or lead greenfield and upgrade projects that encompass all the following technology solutions: OneStream, Oracle EPM, CCH Tagetik, IBM Planning Analytics, Anaplan, Adaptive Planning, Board, Pigment, Vena and Jedox.
3. Move from looking in the rear-view mirror to the windscreen with predictive analytics.
Critically, our clients understand that to leverage the latest analytics and BI tools, the foundations need to be laid first. Without clean, accurate, quality data, the best predictive analytics systems in the market won’t help. Many of our clients are making significant efforts to rationalise their source operational systems and establish data governance frameworks as a foundation for enhancing their BI and analytics capabilities. Furthermore, many are looking to leverage SaaS integration platforms, to enable them to consume data from across the organisation. Data integration and governance skills remain highly sought after, also seen as the bedrock to exploring the opportunities of generative AI.
4. Desire to automate manually intensive processes.
The path to process automation in finance is well trodden, with a wide variety of platforms, applications, and tools available to deliver near, touchless processing in domains such as accounts payable, accounts receivable and reconciliations. From generalist RPA platforms to specialist AI and Machine Learning SaaS applications, the range of products and services to achieve automation in finance is broad, and the demand for skills and expertise to deploy them continues to run hot. SystemsAccountants not only provides access to RPA professionals but is also the primary seed investor in a highly innovative AI SaaS finance automation company called Kanbina. With clients ranging from global insurance group Howden to major games developer Keyword Studios, tax software giant Avalara, and global accountancy firm RSM, Kanbina goes from strength to strength in developing next generation AI automation software.
5. Finance Transformation.
As governments and society contend with new ways of working such as geopolitical disruption, aging populations, AI and climate change, so too, CEOs and CFOs are grappling with a world of greater uncertainty. The need for accurate data and insights to inform strategic decisions and adapt business models, has never been higher. Finance Transformation has become a discipline of perpetual evolution with digital innovation at the core. Designed to ensure the Finance function leverages and embraces the right technology, operating model, talent, and processes, Finance Transformation enables the business to execute on its strategy. The CEO expects data-driven counsel. CFOs must provide dynamic, business partnering services. They must guide on what’s going to happen. Is the Finance team equipped to deliver?
