🔹 Highlights
- Completed year-end jobs within a strict 90-day deadline
- Reduced partner review time by eliminating repetitive queries
- Streamlined workflows through early information collection and decision-making automation
Introduction
When a fast-paced accounting firm approached Corient, they had one clear objective: complete all year-end jobs within 90 days. However, challenges like delayed client responses and inefficient internal reviews threatened to derail this ambitious goal. That’s when Corient stepped in to transform the chaos into a streamlined and structured process.
The Initial Problem: What Went Wrong?
The client faced multiple hurdles:
- Delayed submission of key documents from end clients
- Repeated queries during partner reviews, slowing down approvals
- Unnecessary amendments caused by incomplete or unclear information
Without a transparent system, the 90-day goal felt unachievable.
Corient’s First Solution: The Fix
Corient responded by reengineering the workflow. We ensured:
- All missing documents were requested upfront, right at the starts
- Potential issues were identified early, preventing last-minute surprises
- Partner reviews became smoother, as all key information was embedded into working files from the beginning
This proactive step reduced email chains, saved time, and improved accuracy.
The New Problem: A Surprise Roadblock
Despite improvements, new challenges emerged:
- Significant delays while waiting for client responses
- Team uncertainty, causing repetitive queries that slowed job progress
These issues created bottlenecks that could compromise delivery timelines.
Corient’s Second Solution: Fixing the New Problem
To tackle the ongoing delays and repeated queries, Corient implemented a structured, two-part solution that delivered immediate results:
Step 1: Establishing KPIs
- Defined key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor turnaround times at each stage of the process
- Tracked waiting periods for client documents to identify delays
- Shared KPI insights with the client regularly, enabling them to take timely action with end clients
- This step ensured transparency, accountability, and a data-driven way to push jobs forward
Step 2: Introducing a Decision-Making Matrix
- Collaborated with the client to create a robust decision matrix tailored to common review scenarios
- Enabled the team to make informed decisions independently, without needing to consult the client or end clients repeatedly
- Reduced repetitive queries, streamlining the workflow and increasing job efficiency
- Ensured consistent, faster processing, even when end client responses were delayed
By combining these two steps, Corient eliminated unnecessary back-and-forth, reduced review times, and kept the year-end process on track.
The Final Outcome: Success Story
- Partner review times dropped drastically.
- The firm met its 90-day turnaround target.
- End clients filed their accounts on time and penalty-free
- The team shifted focus to strategic services and growth initiatives.
Corient didn’t just help us meet deadlines—they helped us transform our entire process.
Key Takeaways: Why This Matters for Businesses
- Start strong: Request all data early to reduce backlogs.
- Empower your team: Use decision matrices to enable quicker resolutions.
- Track performance: KPIs make bottlenecks visible and actionable
- Reduce partner strain: Streamlined reviews improve productivity.
With the right systems, even the tightest deadlines can become strategic opportunities.