Through the development and implementation of strong systems and processes, improved efficient and effective operations result. Such systems and processes also enable timely, concise, meaningful and easily understood reporting. Systems developed support analysis techniques that are understood and utilized throughout the organization. This results in all parts of the Company easily working together in addressing issues, holding each other accountable and maximizing the value of all services.
Well developed systems help all parts of the organization work seamlessly and deliver value internally and externally. Important aspects of such systems are the ability to assess compliance and results. This includes reporting data, comparing to plans and breaking information into discreet units that all can relate and utilize to measure, reward and hold accountable.
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Financial/Operations System Flyer
COMPLETED CLIENT SERVICES FOR FINANCIAL/OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS
ASSESSMENT
Numerous engagements have been completed assessing reporting systems in place and recommending changes to better understand results and actions needed to correct unfavorable variances.
BUDGETING
Proprietary budget system is established and shared with clients. System considers critical success factors of the industry and dovetails into reporting of results.
MONTHLY & YEAR-TO-DATE
Ties into budgeting system established that addresses seasonality of professional services firms. Assures that monthly actual results are compared to monthly budgets and year to date results. Variances are explained to enable managers to identify and implement corrective actions.
PROCESSES
Appropriate processes and systems can improve efficiency and assure proper business information and financial controls. Example processes and systems developed, changed and/or improved include:
- Go/No Go decision making
- Pricing decisions
- Project set up
- Time and expense reporting
- Project progress
- Earned value
- Billing
- Collecting
- Managing changes
- Backlog tracking and reporting
- Financial reporting
- Budgeting
- Compensation systems
- Pension plan administration
- Performance evaluation
- Bonus distribution
- Ownership transition
An analysis was completed for a Company regarding the way projects were obtained, managed and closed. Example specifics included:
Client Selection
- Consistency with business strategy, disciplined approach, identifying target clients and those that do not fit and decision making process
Pricing of services
- How determined, employees understanding and comfort discussing, impact of differentiating, alternative pricing and believing in methods?
Contracting
- Success in obtaining, employee acceptance and support, feasibility of retainers and deposits, minimizing impact of “Pay When Paid” & “Retainage” provisions and change provision criteria.
Scope of Work
- Establishing and communicating well-defined scopes to client and staff.
Recording time and expenses
- Acceptance of process, assuring all is recorded, impact on lump sum and other total price committed projects and compliance with government rules and regulations.
Tracking Project Progress
- Assuring people believe in and use system to communicate progress to clients and measuring performance.
Managing Project Changes
- Understanding attitudes of employees and clients, obtaining acceptance while building relationships with clients, changing paradigms and positively impacting of clients, employees and profit.
Change Order Management systems have been developed for a number of clients. These systems include methods of communicating and documenting information to clients.
- Emphasize the need to develop a process as soon as possible with the client.
- Communicating and obtaining acceptance of change.
- Understanding client’s attitude toward change
- Understanding your attitude toward change
- Accepting reasons for changes
- Managing to avoid negative changes
- Positively managing the process
- Successfully completing changes while building relationships with clients.
RATIO/VARIANCE ANALYSIS
Industry ratios and variance analysis are incorporated into reporting of results. This enables you to monitor and manage your results based on industry standard benchmarks and then compare to what others in the industry are achieving. Other proprietary ratios and analysis is also shared based on years of experience working with several industry companies.
REPORTING
Reporting approaches for financial results and project progress are crucially important. Examples include financial and operational reporting that enables you to compare to industry published statistics in an easily understood and meaningful manner. Lee has developed reporting methods that communicates your results with ratios that can be easily compared to published industry statistics.