During those six years we have also experienced the international credit crunch and are said to be entering into the age of austerity. These circumstances have required all businesses to review their cost base and to consider if their structure is fit for purpose. The finance function is not exempt, and has no doubt been under the spotlight in many organisations.

With this in mind this special report ‘Finance Transformation – the Outsourcing Perspective’, is timely. Many of the key issues from 2006 remain the same: deciding what and with whom to outsource, negotiating terms and managing the associated risks. Other aspects have evolved, including the range and attractiveness of outsourcing locations available and the use of more blended models combining onshore, offshore, in-house, outsourced and various styles of management. You should find these two reports complementary; for details of how to access the previous report see the further reading section on page 28.

Whilst this report does focus on outsourcing, many of the topics discussed will also be useful if you are considering other solutions such as in-house shared service centres. The authors, Capgemini, share their expertise on topics including service level agreements, people management, and innovation and technology. Equally whilst this report is aimed at larger businesses there will be some useful lessons for smaller organisations.

The number of case studies in the report is necessarily limited; however we would be really interested to hear your experiences. Have you outsourced any part of your finance function? If so, which? Do you have any lessons that you could share with your fellow members? We would also be very pleased to hear any questions or feedback that you have.

Published by the Finance and Management Faculty (SR31 - December 2010)

Full report only available to ICAEW members and students.

Capgemini, one of the world’s foremost providers of consulting, technology and outsourcing services, enables its clients to transform and perform through technologies. Capgemini provides its clients with insights and capabilities that boost their freedom to achieve superior results through a unique way of working, the Collaborative Business Experience™. The group relies on its global delivery model called Rightshore®, which aims to get the right balance of the best talent from multiple locations, working as one team to create and deliver the optimum solution for clients. Present in more than 35 countries, Capgemini reported 2009 global revenues of €8.4bn and employs over 100,000 people worldwide.

Capgemini’s expertise is recognised in business process outsourcing (BPO) with a solution portfolio that spans finance and accounting, customer operations management, procurement and supply chain management, assurance management, human resources, knowledge process outsourcing services, as well as vertical solutions for the financial services industry. As part of Capgemini’s Rightshore® delivery network, more than 10,500 BPO professionals provide services to clients worldwide 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in over 35 languages, from centres located in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Guatemala, India, Poland, Sweden and the United States.