Our uniqueness
Parson Consulting develops excellence in finance and operations. To meet today's standards of corporate governance, we do not audit and therefore are free of conflicts of interest. Our financial management consulting services are provided from offices across the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific.
Our focus
Parson Consulting assists Chief Financial Officers to provide valuable financial information and insight to stakeholders through strategic finance, performance management, accounting and finance operations, governance and risk management, and corporate transaction support.
We enhance clients' management decision making through business planning, strategy monitoring, business process improvements, deploying business intelligence and performance management applications, financial systems optimisation and project management.
We assist finance functions and operational support functions whether they adopt a maximum efficiency, maximum value added or balanced service approach.
How we work with clients
We systematically implement agreed upon, practical solutions using the right combination of functional experience and consulting skills in process design and systems applications.
We establish a collaborative approach and participate in the capability development of clients' teams. Our objective advice stems from our independence from auditors and outsourcing companies.
We incorporate and utilise a specific set of deliverables and outputs designed to facilitate communication, collaboration and client involvement. This allows all participants to understand each step, provide input and feedback, review decisions made, see what is accomplished and receive documentation for each phase of the process.
We provide services that auditors are prohibited or discouraged from supplying under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other similar regulations and guidance, often with preferred supplier status.
Satisfaction
We have a very high client satisfaction record. Our client satisfaction level of over 90% is more than twice the industry standard.
(Based on independent research conducted by Kenexa, an independent research firm)
Representative clients
We have worked with over 1,000 clients, including over one-third of the Fortune 500. Among them are: Arcelor, Astra Zeneca, Avis, Barclays, Citigroup, Disney, EDF, Ford, Kaiser Permanente, Schneider, Shell, SNCF, Unilever, Visa and Warner Bros.
Our people
Our people typically have extensive professional experience and have worked in financial management and operational roles. Many have advanced technical degrees and/or MBAs. Before being assigned to a project, our consultants complete an extensive training programme and often attend our technology partners' training.
What we are not
External or internal auditors, policy and strategy consultants, tax advisers, merchant or investment bankers, recruitment consultants. We know what we can do well and limit our practice to our expertise.
How we charge
Initial discussions are free and without obligation. We generally charge weekly to ensure clients have a clear understanding of a project's progress. Fixed fees can be agreed for tightly defined projects.
Our challenges to clients
Do you produce accurate, business relevant information on a timely basis as efficiently as possible? Does your business comply with corporate governance standards such as Sarbanes-Oxley? Do you need assistance with modelling and forecasting in relation to a corporate transaction? Do you need advice on finance systems selection or outsourcing scenarios? Are your existing auditors or consultants free from auditing conflicts of interest (whether actual or perceived)? Do they have the breadth and depth of experience as full-time consultants that you require? Parson Consulting can meet all your financial management consulting needs.
Engagement snapshots
Strategic finance
After a strategic finance review, the reporting lines for a large oil company were restructured to ensure that the financial and non-financial KPIs were reported consistently by each back office function and geographic region.
After a strategic finance review, the reporting lines for a large oil company were restricted to ensure that the financial and non-financial KPIs were reported consistently by each back office function and geographic region.
Accounting and finance operations
Following the merger of a European defence company, we examined its operating structure, forecasting and overall efficiency. Savings of over £17 million were identified.
A 60% reduction in the monthly close cycle time was obtained by installing a shared service accounting centre for a Fortune 200 diversified manufacturer.
Governance and risk management
After completing the Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 compliance work for a global consumer goods manufacturer, the work was expanded to identify control improvements and other opportunities regarding process efficiency and operational risk.
Consolidation, reporting and BPM
The design, development and worldwide implementation of an integrated Business Performance Management system was achieved within twelve months for a major international group in the heavy industry sector. The system and process covered the entire reporting cycle from medium term planning to financial, capital expenditure and KPI reporting on a weekly and monthly basis.
Transaction assistance
An £800 million pan European services business required specialist resource to assist with its secondary fund raising by project managing the internal process, preparing and challenging forecast information and liaising with stakeholders.
Head office
Chicago +1 312 541 4690
Regional offices
France +33 1 4076 9000
California +1 949 609 0123
UK +44 20 7710 5200
Australia +61 2 9367 8880
Belgium +32 2663 7920
Netherlands +31 20 312 0400
www.parsonconsulting.com