Six Characteristics Of The Best Shared Service Centers

Shared Service Centers
Six Characteristics Of The Best Shared Service Centers


A shared services center (SSC) is an organisation that handles certain operational tasks, such as accounting, finance, human resources, payroll, IT, legal, compliance, purchasing, security, etc. In this blog post, six characteristics of the best shared service centres will be discussed:

1.Customer Focus

Customer focus is the cornerstone of any successful SSC. It emphasises prioritising the needs and expectations of the internal customers. These customers include various departments and individuals within the organisation that rely on the services of the shared service center. Below are the key aspects of these characteristics:

  • Understanding Customer Needs: This means actively listening to customer feedback, gathering input on service delivery, and understanding their specific requirements.

  • Providing Excellent Service: SSCs deliver high-quality services that either meet or exceed customer expectations in terms of speed, accuracy, and responsiveness.

  • Tailoring Services: SSCs customise or tailor their services to meet the unique needs of different business units.

2.Create and Execute an International Delivery Model

In their own nation or area, the majority of businesses start their shared services journey by putting in place a shared services delivery model. They export the concept to other parts of the world when they are satisfied with the initial outcomes. All too frequently, this leads to a suboptimal approach where each area tries to achieve cost reduction and productivity improvement on its own.

The most forward-thinking businesses have a global perspective on shared services and set up organisational structures and policies to maximise the global model. A single main global centre and a number of smaller regional centres are often the outcome of rationalising the number of physical sites. The shared services organisation's chief oversees all international operations and makes sure that business units in every location receive consistent delivery.

3.Increase the Scale and Scope of the Organisation

Typically, shared services start with the standardisation and consolidation of high-volume tasks like cash application of accounts payable. At this point, a lot of organisations stagnate and are labelled as companies that are only into transaction processing. 

Businesses that are far-sighted strive to increase the geographic reach and range of services they provide. There are no outliers for these businesses, and business units do not have the opportunity to opt out. The shared services organisation serves all of the company's locations, business units, employees, and nations. In addition to considering scope extension to incorporate expert tasks, progressive firms do not restrict the criteria for evaluating processes to the cost reductions inherent in processing large volumes of transactions.

4.Innovation and Adaptability

Successful SSCs are agile and adaptable to thrive in a constantly evolving business environment. They implement technologies like AI to automate tasks, improve efficiency, and enhance service delivery. They review and refine processes to identify areas for improvement and implement best practices on a regular basis.

5. Strong Leadership and Governance

Strong leadership and governance are critical for the success of any shared service center finance, accounting, etc. Effective leadership provides the vision, direction, and strategic guidance necessary to achieve organisational goals. Besides, a robust governance framework ensures accountability and transparency in all aspects of shared service operations. This includes clear roles and responsibilities, regular performance reviews, and mechanisms for tracking and reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs).

6.Cost-Effectiveness

Just like any other business-related department, cost-effectiveness is also an important characteristic of a successful SSC. It is crucial to demonstrate tangible value by optimising resource allocation and minimising operational expenses while maintaining high-quality service delivery.

By centralising services, shared service accounting (and other domains) leverage the power of economies of scale. This reduces redundancy, minimises duplication of effort, and optimises resource utilisation across the organisation. Centralisation can lead to significant reductions in overhead costs such as rent, utilities, and administrative expenses.

These are all the characteristics of the best shared service centres.

Mynd Integrated Solutions is one of the business organisations that offer the best accounting or financial shared services centre. Its shared service centre uses state-of-the-art technology to provide creative answers to challenging accounting and financial tasks. Its centralised service strategy, which is driven by technology and automation, increases productivity and simplifies processes. It improves financial reporting and control operations by concentrating on specialist knowledge and abilities inside Centres of Excellence (COEs), providing solutions that are specifically designed to satisfy certain company requirements.

In Conclusion

The success of a shared service center hinges on a combination of factors that go beyond mere cost reduction. By embodying six key characteristics, such as customer focus, innovation and adaptability, strong leadership and governance, and a skilled and engaged workforce, shared service centres can transform from cost centres into strategic assets.

One of the companies that provides the greatest accounting or financial shared services center is Mynd Integrated Solutions. Its shared service centre offers innovative solutions to difficult accounting and financial issues using cutting-edge technologies. Its automated and technology-driven centralised service approach streamlines procedures and boosts efficiency. By focusing on specialised knowledge and skills inside Centres of Excellence (COEs) and offering solutions that are especially made to meet specific business needs, it enhances financial reporting and control processes.

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