Keywords: shared services, finance shared services, centralised accounts payable, purchase to pay, procure to pay, accounts receivable, jobs

Shared services makes you happier

Blog Post | 5 October 2012

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Author: Anna Bowsher

According to a recent survey by Financial Operations Matters magazine, the majority of finance operations professionals remain highly motivated and satisfied in their careers.

Over a third of respondents reported being very satisfied with their jobs and plan on staying a long time, and 82% expressed some degree of motivation and job satisfaction.

Coincidentally, nearly half of all respondents were working in separate, centralised AP (the majority at 41.6%), AR, procurement or finance departments, and another fifth were working as part of a global or shared services centre.

This is particularly notable as 43% stated they were more satisfied with their jobs today than they ever had been. 81% said their responsibilities had increased in recent years, with other reasons for this increased satisfaction including a change in the organisation’s vision and philosophy, and a change in direct supervisor or upper management.

The majority also said they were working in relatively low staffed departments, with over 50% working with less than 10 colleagues and rarely taking on temporary staff.

Finally, when the respondents were asked why they would recommend a career in finance operations, answers included “it’s a fun and fast paced business”, “exciting new technologies on the horizon will definitely increase efficiencies”, and “being able to interact at every level of the company”.

As an increasing number of companies move towards the centralised function or shared services model therefore, they will not only be able to maximise on the efficiencies of streamlined processes but also benefit from the glowing reviews of its employees.

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