The Challenge

As a global leader in digital marketing, DEPT® operates with a team of 4,000+ specialists across 30+ locations on five continents. However, its finance operations were fragmented across multiple regions, leading to inefficiencies, high operational costs, and inconsistencies in financial reporting. This decentralization impacted profitability and slowed down strategic decision-making. 

The Solution

DEPT® needed to streamline operations within its finance department, particularly in transactional finance activities of accounts payable (P2P), accounts receivable (O2C), and general ledger (R2R). To achieve this, DEPT® partnered with Four Symmetrons to establish a centralized Financial Shared Services Centre (FSSC) through a strategic, phased approach. 

The transition began with a pilot project: a three-person team dedicated to invoice booking for a single entity. Within three months, our exceptional progress exceeded DEPT®’s expectations, reinforcing confidence in the FSSC model. This success enabled a seamless expansion into strategic finance functions, including FP&A, consolidation, and Power BI reporting, ultimately creating a more efficient and comprehensive finance operation. 

The Result

Through our partnership, Four Symmetrons took full ownership of DEPT®’s financial functions, establishing a fully integrated Financial Shared Services Centre. Within just two months, we successfully recruited and onboarded 25 accountants and finance professionals. The impact has been transformative - DEPT® reduced finance operational costs by 67%, achieving annual savings of $1.4 million, while significantly enhancing productivity, efficiency, and overall work quality. The phased approach proved highly effective, exceeding expectations and setting a new standard for financial operations.

Impact Beyond Business

Our partnership extends beyond business - it is a shared endeavour to create lasting change. While DEPT® has benefited from the efficiencies and expertise gained through this collaboration, the most profound achievement lies in the positive impact on Nepal’s communities. Together, DEPT® and Four Symmetrons have established a corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund dedicated to supporting education for Nepal’s most underprivileged children, covering their 13 years of schooling.