Case Studies
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Budget Process Support and Training – Hyperion HFM
Background: With the recent migration to a new financial planning tool (Hyperion HFM), this prestigious higher education institution was preparing for its first annual budget cycle using the new system. In a highly de-centralized environment, each of its 35 departments and academic units were performing the budget process differently. Given the roll-out of a new planning system, these processes needed to be standardized in order to utilize the system in an efficient manner.
ERP Upgrade – JD Edwards – Financial Process Re-Design
Background: In tandem with its accounting migration into a shared services center, this CTS Impact client needed to upgrade its JD Edwards Enterprise One software system.
Human Resources System Selection and Implementation – UltiPro
Background: This large multi-national investment management firm had numerous disparate Human Resources software solutions which were not fully integrated, which led to inefficiencies and errors. Moreover, its Payroll system was not tied to the Human Resources system. As a result, the client’s goal was to implement one system to meet all of its payroll and human resources requirements.
Business Intelligence – SAP BPC – Software Evaluation & Implementation
Background: To support its management reporting requirements, this CTS Impact client needed a user-friendly tool that could be implemented on an expedited basis across its worldwide business units.
Commission System Implementation and Process Re-Design
Background: As part of its migration to a shared services environment, this CTS Impact client was centralizing its worldwide Commissions function, including a new software tool. Previously, several different software applications were in use supporting various business units, and with disparate business processes with varying degrees of complexity.
CRM Process and System Design and Implementation – SalesLogix
Background: In order to manage its customer relationships from inception through deal close, this CTS Impact client selected an automated CRM tool, SAGE SalesLogix to manage its data. However, the client’s Project Management Office (PMO) was resource-constrained, and lacked specific real estate industry expertise critical to the implementation of this tool.
Internal Controls Review and SOX Compliance – Post-Fraud
Background: In the aftermath of a material accounting fraud, this CTS Impact client was required to restate several years of financial data. In conjunction with this effort, an extensive review of its internal controls was required, including remediation of material weaknesses in its controls over financial reporting at both the field operations and at the corporate level.
SOX 404 Compliance – Financial and IT Systems
Background: In order to manage a global Sarbanes-Oxley 404 corporate compliance program, business tools needed to be developed and maintained to analyze and track progress, manage resource utilization and control costs. The diverse program encompassed a team of 30 professionals across numerous legal entities in over 50 countries. Due to the varying levels of detail to meet the information requirements of the constituents (e.g. field operations, Steering Committee, Audit Committee), status reporting presented some unique challenges.
IT Security and PCI Compliance
Background: In a technology-centric operation, this CTS Impact client had identified significant internal control weaknesses which required disclosure in its annual report to the SEC. Due to the dynamic nature of the client’s environment, numerous applications, hardware, networks and other technical infrastructure were in place due in part to informal IT governance.
Internal Audit – Operational, Financial and IT Systems
Background: As part of its annual operational audits of this CTS Impact client’s 850 manufacturing facilities, field audits were performed globally on a rotational basis, driven by an annual risk assessment.
Project Management – Global SOX 404 Compliance
Background: As a result of a spin-off and subsequent IPO, this CTS client needed to demonstrate compliance with SOX 404 requirements. Previously, this company was an operating subsidiary of another larger firm, and did not have in-house expertise. Moreover, little formal documentation existed to substantiate its internal controls in place.
Forensic Accounting and Litigation Support
Background: As a result of deteriorating financial returns from one of its joint venture investments, this CTS Impact client needed to scrutinize the operations of its partner at a more detailed level.
Acquisition Integration – Business and Systems Integration
To further diversify its vast real estate portfolio, this CTS Impact client expanded into a new segment; hotels, via acquisition of 3 major portfolios within an 8-month period. With acquired hotel assets of over $2.5 billion, this client needed specific hotel accounting experience to manage this back office integration and standardization.
IPO-Readiness, Financial System Implementation, and Internal Audit
In the midst of unprecedented company growth, this global technology and social networking company’s reporting needs expanded in both complexity and volume. With multi-national operations in over 40 countries worldwide, a standardized and automated reporting tool was mission-critical to produce GAAP-basis consolidated financial statements.
Acquisition Integration
Background: This publicly-held international pharmaceutical company was experiencing very rapid growth through multiple significant acquisitions. Each acquisition maintained their accounting records on different financial system platforms, so the client needed to migrate these disparate systems to a standard platform (SAP).