From Steady Growth to Surge: Building a Dynamic Finance Engine for a Healthcare Organisation

The story with this ripper healthcare organisation feels a lot like a footy pre-season - hard work behind the scenes, setting the foundations for something bigger. There were not always trophies to lift, but every decision, every strategy was about building towards long-term success. For seven years, there was incredible evolution, a testament to dynamic leadership and unwavering commitment to the company.

In the beginning, they were a growing Melbourne-based organisation, around 650 strong, dedicated to providing vital health services. But their ambition didn't stop there. As they secured more contracts, funding and expanded their reach, they needed a corporate services team that could keep pace. And that's where the real adventure began.

Imagine this: a leader with a sharp corporate mind, stepping into the healthcare world with a mission to maximise every dollar for those in need. She wasn't content with just "getting by." She wanted efficiency, scalability, and a finance function that truly drove impact.

The first task? Transforming an operational finance team into a strategic business unit. They rolled up our sleeves and built a management accounting and business partnering capability from the ground up. Commercial Finance Analysts, Management Accountants – they assembled a team that could provide real, insightful influence.

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic. Like so many healthcare organisations, they were thrust into the spotlight, their services more critical than ever. Their headcount more than doubled, reaching a peak of 1500 employees. Suddenly, the focus shifted. With the commercial finance team humming, they turned our attention to the financial accounting side, streamlining processes and automating wherever possible to handle the sheer volume. It was a whirlwind, but they were ready.

As the dust settled, they took a moment to reflect (thankfully back at the Port Melbourne pub they conducted most of their meetings from pre-pandemic). How could they build on this momentum? How could they create a foundation for long-term stability and simplification? They embarked on a bottom-up budget process, implemented Workday Adaptive Planning, and introduced new strategic commercial roles to showcase the value of finance across the organisation.

And let's not forget the systems transformation! They navigated the complexities of selecting and implementing a new HRIS platform (Dayforce), bringing payroll in-house, and tackling a payroll process remediation program. Anyone who's dealt with three-way integrations knows it's no easy feat.

What's the takeaway from this incredible journey? It's about more than just numbers and systems. It's about building a team that's adaptable, resilient, and driven by a shared purpose. It’s about being a partner in the growth of an organisation that makes a real difference.

If you're looking to build a dynamic finance function that can adapt to any challenge, we'd love to help you write your own success story. Give us a buzz!