Resolve The Disconnect. Find The Insight.

At CALA Associates we're all about adding value - at the core of that is gaining an understanding of our clients, how they operate and what their goals are.

One thing that has become clear to us in the years we have been doing this is that all too often there is a huge disconnect between operations and finance. Whether that's in-house or outsourced.

Value only happens when those two functions come together. Numbers, analysis, and trends need context, and context is driven by understanding what the reports mean. Linking those numbers back to why it happened and what it means operationally - doing this then empowers the business to be reactive. This requires both an understanding of the operations but also good communication with those on the ground day-to-day.

Reports don't provide value on their own. It's not enough for a finance team/accountant to send out reports and expect insight to happen. In turn, it's not enough for the business to operate and make decisions blindly without quality insight. Without communications and links back to operations the finance team is wasting hours and the operations team/business is forging a non-reactive path in what may be, the wrong direction.

After all (compliance aside) the number one purpose of your finance function is to facilitate better decision making:

What changes can we make to improve? How can we address the findings? What should we be doing differently?

It's not all a one-way street either - don't be afraid to ask the finance team to track or report on something you're seeing operationally or need to make better decisions.

How can we start to resolve the disconnect?

• Firstly, start making those connections! Regular meetings between the finance team and the operation lead(s) ensure that the information within the reports is understood and context can be provided. Why and What. Don't be content with not knowing - if you don't have the Why and What, go speak to other members of the team and try to find out.
• Use the insight. Determine if the findings require action and what that action is.
• Work together. The goal for both finance and operations is the same - the business being successful.

This is at the core of what we do - we ask loads of questions, quiz you on your business, operations, and where you're going so we can form links. Couple that with regular meetings and follow-ups and we bring your finances to your operations to provide powerful insight.

If we can help you close that disconnect then reach out to us and let's talk!