Swanson & James Ltd

Integrated Quick Scan

The Integrated Quick Scan is an initial evaluation tool for aligning our thinking with a clients internal environment, processes and requirements. The objective is to gain a detailed overall picture of all the influences and drivers upon each function and the respective source of these before an assignment begins to ensure the applicability of solutions to all business functions.

Why is there a need for an Integrated Quick Scan?

In the last few years demand has increased for an efficient financial function aimed at results, whilst continuing to perform a supporting and service-provision role on behalf of operational divisions and business units. There is an ever-growing need for financial and back-office services that are calculable, controllable and most importantly harness the power of Information Technology in financial administrative processes.

While many organisations are convinced that they too need to change their financial function in order to be better equipped to match an evolving business world, it is not always obvious in which direction to go. Questions that may arise could include:

	What influence do present day developments in the field of the financial function have on my own organisation?
	What are the strengths and weaknesses of my financial division and in what way could I carry out improvements?
	How does my financial division score in terms of effectiveness and efficiency?
	What is required to make the change from 'Financial Administration' to a 'Financial Service Centre’?

The Swanson & James Integrated Quick Scan is the first step into this direction. Swanson & James’ Interims have developed a product enabling them, in a short time, to answer the above questions, as well as chart the entire management process of financial administration. From this assessment, practical, realistic solutions can be advised to improve efficiency where weaknesses are identified.

How can this concept be achieved?

As Quick Scan consists of a number of modules, Swanson & James is not only able to offer it as an overall package, but can, if desired, focus on certain components of the financial function. Examples of these modules are:

	Acquisitions
	Sales
	Investments
	The Planning & Control Cycle
	Information Management
	Allocation of costs

Checklists, which have been especially developed for each module, provide the basis for interviews to be conducted by Swanson & James Interims during the Quick Scan. The following matters are studied per individual module:

	The Administrative Organisation and Internal Control procedures;
	Communication with other divisions involved in financial processes;
	Effectiveness and efficiency of processes performed within the financial divisions;
	Function of the IT-systems used as a part of the various processes;
	Service within the financial division on behalf of internal users and other interested parties.