ScottMadden and APQC Uncover Renewed Enthusiasm for Financial Shared Services

Feb. 10, 2011 - PRLog -- ATLANTA, G.A.  — ScottMadden, a leading general management consulting firm, is publishing an article series jointly developed with the American Productivity and Quality Center (APQC) on the topic of financial shared services.  In the series, APQC’s Mary Driscoll, the senior research fellow for financial management, conducted a series of interviews with Brad DeMent, a partner with ScottMadden who leads the financial shared services practice. These articles focus on key questions of importance to those who pursue a shared services model.

The concept of shared services has been in the management lexicon for more than 20 years. But enthusiasm for process improvement and optimization in this area has waxed and waned—largely in sync with broad economic conditions. Recent APQC studies, including a member survey, indicate a period of renewed enthusiasm.

Many companies are still embarking on developing a shared services model for their company or are looking for ways to improve their current shared services operation. These articles address a series of questions that are relevant for both audiences and provide lessons learned from one of ScottMadden’s shared services experts.

“It goes back to the core value of building a shared services organization,” said DeMent. “It frees the units to focus on their core work, and it lets the corporate staff grow more comfortable through improved controls, all while reducing costs.”

The first article in the series, available by clicking "Financial Shared Services Centers:  Driving Excellence from the Start," focuses on attributes of a true shared services organization, benefits to be gained from the model for the corporation and business units, and when and why to focus on performance management and continuous improvement.

The three additional articles in the series will be published over the next month and include the following topics:
•   Shared Services Design and Structure:  Gaining Consensus
•   Shared Services – the Crossroads in IT Planning
•   Shared Services:  Putting the Right People in the Right Jobs

More information on ScottMadden's Corporate & Shared Services practice can be found at www.scottmadden.com. Contact ScottMadden in Atlanta at 3495 Piedmont Road, NE, Building Ten, Suite 805, Atlanta, G.A. 30305; call 404-814-0020; or e-mail info@scottmadden.com.

About ScottMadden, Inc.
For nearly 30 years, ScottMadden has been a leading general management consulting firm and has advised corporate services functions on providing efficient, value-added services to the business. As pioneers in the shared services industry since 1993, we have focused on assisting clients with designing and managing effective delivery models for their corporate services. For more information about ScottMadden and our Corporate & Shared Services practice, visit http://www.scottmadden.com

Media Contact:
Karl von Gunten
kvongunten@scottmadden.com
919-931-1434

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ScottMadden is a general management consulting firm that provides the right blend of industry knowledge, business focus and consulting experience to help your business succeed.