Organisations in regulated finance, logistics operations and higher education may operate in very different environments, yet the underlying challenges they face are often strikingly similar: time-sensitive reporting, sudden capability gaps, and process backlogs that put daily operations at risk. When a global bank, a national postal and logistics operator, and a leading university approached us, they were experiencing these pressures in different ways.
Through our assessments and discussions, we helped them uncover the root causes behind their operational bottlenecks and identified the specific support each organisation needed. What emerged was a shared requirement for reliable onsite talent that could plug capability gaps quickly, stabilise processes, and be held accountable for ongoing performance. By understanding each client’s context, we were able to advise tailored solutions that directly addressed their most pressing needs.
The Challenges
Despite their distinct industries, the clients shared a set of overlapping, practical challenges that are common across many organisations. These issues created significant operational friction and risk.
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1. Time-critical reporting and deadlines
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Whether preparing year-end statutory accounts under listing requirements or meeting monthly management reporting cycles, the clients all confronted deadlines that could not be missed.
The logistics operator had strict year-end consolidation and SGX-related timings, the bank faced operational reporting demands during an internal restructure, and the university experienced term-end processing peaks. Missing these deadlines was not an option.
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2. Sudden capacity shortfalls
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Restructures, leave cycles, and peak workloads created temporary but urgent gaps in capability. These shortfalls led to backlogs, slower turnarounds, and, in some cases, increased error rates.
The logistics operator saw these pressures converge during its peak cycle, causing workload spikes that the reduced team could not absorb
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3. Inconsistent operational continuity
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Previous experiences with short-term hires or inconsistent temporary staff had caused repeated onboarding cycles, frequent documentation errors, and uneven service quality. All three clients needed personnel who could integrate seamlessly and sustain standard processes without constant supervision, ensuring that work was done correctly the first time.
This was especially evident in the university, where constant temp turnover left teams re-training new staff each term and correcting inconsistent documentation.
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4. Complex cross-location coordination
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Many tasks required liaising across teams, external auditors, or partner firms which created additional coordination work that internal teams lacked the bandwidth to manage reliably.
The global bank faced this challenge acutely, as month-end reporting required synchronising inputs across multiple offices and external audit partners.
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5. Lack of vendor accountability
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A recurring frustration with prior vendors was the lack of ongoing oversight once a placement occurred. Clients wanted a provider who would monitor performance, escalate issues where needed, and ensure deliverables stayed on track long after deployment.
This issue surfaced prominently for the logistics operator, where previous vendors stopped engaging after deployment, leaving internal teams to manage performance concerns alone.
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These overlapping challenges explain why a total finance and accounting staffing solutions model could address multiple pain points across very different organisations.
Why They Chose Us
Across all three organisations, the decision to partner with us came down to reliability, accountability, and our ability to respond with precision and speed. They needed more than just a staffing provider, they needed an advisor who could help diagnose root causes, prioritise high-risk gaps, and recommend the right support for fast turnaround.
Our deep industry knowledge, structured approach to scoping high-risk roles, fast turnaround in candidate deployment, and ongoing performance oversight gave them the confidence that critical functions would not be compromised.
As one client noted, “It wasn’t just about filling a role — it was about having someone who could take ownership and deliver consistently.”
The Solution
We implemented a consistent, structured service model specifically designed to address those shared challenges and ensure measurable operational stability.
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1. Rapid scoping to meet urgent turnaround needs
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Before any placement, we quickly mapped the exact deadlines, high-pressure tasks, and coordination points. This ensures the role is designed around real operational pressures, such as month-end consolidation or statutory pack preparation. By aligning support to the activities where delays carry the highest risk, we deliver a solution, not just a generic job scope.
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2. Onsite professionals with immediate impact
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We prioritised candidates who could plug into established workflows with minimal disruption. Onsite presence is crucial when hands-on coordination is required, particularly for handling auditor queries, consolidated reporting, or centralised finance processing.
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| 3. Active performance oversight |
We remain accountable after deployment: regular check-ins with managers, rapid issue resolution, and clear escalation channels reduce the likelihood that problems resurface once a role is filled.
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4. Coordination and single-point relationship management
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For engagements that span departments or countries, we centralised communications through a dedicated account lead so clients don’t have to re-direct requests or chase fragmented updates.
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5. Iterative improvement based on client feedback
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We use client input to refine our aftercare and monitoring. We introduced structured follow-ups around critical windows like month-end, quarter-end, and year-end, adjusting our support as our clients' priorities shifted.
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The Impact
Because the challenges overlapped, our core interventions produced similar benefits across all three clients:
- Deadlines met reliably: Onsite support ensured month-end, consolidated reporting, and statutory deadlines were met on time.
- Backlogs cleared and prevented: Immediate capacity reduced accumulated work and prevented recurring pileups.
- Fewer handoffs and less re-training: Consistent personnel reduced repeated onboarding cycles and fewer documentation errors.
- Smoother stakeholder engagement: Faster responses to auditor requests and clearer ownership made external coordination more efficient.
- Sustained operational confidence: Clients reported less firefighting and more predictable workflows during peak periods.
Ready to Reduce Risk and Stabilise Operations?
If your team is stretched by reporting deadlines, cross-location coordination, or recurring staffing gaps, we can help. We deliver onsite professionals who are scoped to solve your specific operational risks and we remain accountable for their performance, giving you the confidence to move forward.
By taking the time to deeply understand your business, we can help you overcome challenges, embrace change, and adapt to thrive.
Speak to our Staffing & Recruitment Team today:
Tan Sock Huan
Director
TanSockHuan@RSMSingapore.sg
Lucas Yeo
Senior Recruitment Manager
LucasYeoLT@RSMSingapore.sg
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