How outsourcing and automation leads to more efficiency

Perhaps an organization has postponed outsourcing finance and accounting services or managed information technology functions. Maybe a company has resisted moving to automated processes for payroll, accounting or document management. If so, organizations should ask the following questions with advancements in mind: What functions depend on your technology systems? How does your technology support your needs for accessibility, scalability and reliability? How do you create a platform that meets your goals?

Outsourcing solutions

Many organizations have small staffs. Crucial responsibilities involving accounting or IT, for example, often fall to a disproportionate few staff members, and processes may have been carved into stone over time.

Outsourcing certain functions to a first-choice advisor, though, can improve back-office options without compromising staff morale. Leveraging digital technologies can create efficiencies while establishing a fixed cost for services and deeper, broader support. This can allow employees to devote more attention to providing timely information and analysis instead of performing repetitive tasks.

By outsourcing finance and accounting services, the organization has software and corresponding security components provided to it. They enhance compliance measures by establishing dual controls, which small organizations commonly lack. The timeliness and depth of financial reports improve also.

Outsourcing managed IT services creates additional efficiency and security. The service provider ensures workers have the equipment they need, such as laptops. It can strengthen controls such as BYOD (bring your own device) policies, establishing protections for all devices, including the capability to remotely wipe sensitive data. It also creates a shift of liability because the provider becomes responsible for keeping software and servers operational and secure.

“Do you have device-level security? Or are you just using the same laptop your children are using for school?” Churchill said. “Someone accesses an unsecured website; you’ve got malware, and someone is accessing your device directly.”

Managed IT services includes cloud functionality, which makes remote work more efficient. Laptops and mobile devices become portals to access files, which reduces the importance of what machines employees are using and where they are using them. Employees do not have to depend on thumb drives, which tend to easily be misplaced because they’re so small. Efficiencies extend to tracking software and communication channels during emergencies, and simply keeping up with employees who frequently travel.

Automation equates to efficiency

Some organizations manually perform payroll and accounts payable functions. Others might use accounting software or various databases to manage those, but they might lack the functionality and consistency necessary to work remotely or efficiently.

“Automation within the tool sets that they have is helpful,” Churchill said. “That allows for truly having remote workforces, so that they don’t have to go to the office and print checks and go to someone to sign them.”

Also, organizations want timeliness, accuracy and transparency with their portfolios. But relying on dated quarterly information, and working from separate spreadsheets and proprietary reports from individual managers, make it difficult to clearly view investment performance.

From robotic process automation to automated bill pay to enterprise resource planning solutions, shifting toward automated processes can steer organizations away from spending unnecessary time and resources on manual bookkeeping.

Such advancements improve operational efficiencies, which propel organizations closer to their business goals. Whether through outsourcing solutions or establishing automated functions, they will find those goals are within reach.