Best practices in Shared Services Centers

Transforming the finance function through Shared Services Centers

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George Connell, Royal Dutch Shell’s Head of Strategy and Business Development in Finance Operations, talks about transforming the finance function through a global network of Shared Services Centers.

Royal Dutch Shell Energy currently has 5 Shared Services Centers around the world for the finance function. They handle a large number of processes including accounts payable, data management, general accounting processes and management information for the group.

The Finance Shared Service organization was established in 1998. It more recently progressed to become the Finance Operations division with sharp focus on excellence, reflected in its process-based structure and orientation.

Shell’s Shared Services journey has certainly benefited from senior leader support. George Cornell believes this is essential as the Shared Services Centers have brought about a fundamental change in the finance footprint.

To make Finance Shared Services a success, Shell also learned from experience. They made the decision to follow the branded captive model, having the centers in-house, to help integrate Finance Operations with other organizations within Shell. Today, Finance Operations are taking over new processes and entering new areas including information management, planning and budgeting.