The Challenge
Buro Happold, a global practice of engineers, designers and advisors, was facing challenges with its Order to Cash operations that were hindering their timely adoption of regulatory compliance, scaling the function in a period of rapid growth and optimizing cash management activities.
Key challenges included:
- A fragmented systems and process landscape with multiple tools used inconsistently across regions
- Heavy reliance on manual workarounds across service to cash and invoicing, limiting scalability
- Manual data movement between project management and finance systems
- Decentralised governance and inconsistent invoicing processes across regions
- Emerging EU e invoicing compliance requirements demanding new capabilities and accelerated timeframes
- A need for a clear roadmap to consolidate systems and guide future transformation toward a scalable, governed operating model.
Solution
Org conducted a targeted Enterprise Assessment focused on the Service to Cash lifecycle, combined with a Search and Select exercise for e-invoicing and compliance technology. This provided Buro Happold with a clear, evidence-based view of their current state and a prioritised path forward.
- Engaged stakeholders across regions to build a shared understanding of priorities, pain points, and opportunities
- Reviewed systems, integrations and process flows across the full Service to Cash lifecycle
- Assessed invoicing controls, governance structures and compliance risks across jurisdictions
- Evaluated current project and finance platforms against business needs and growth ambitions
- Defined a standardised process model and future state operating model for Service to Cash
- Managed a structured Search and Select for e-invoicing technology – resulting in the selection of Avalara
- Delivered recommendations for process automation, workflow governance and improved sequencing between project, time, and finance processes.
