Unified way of working using SAP S/4HANA Cloud

All our time and attention devoted to the client, supported by standardised systems and processes that significantly enhance cooperation between colleagues within PwC Europa. To achieve this, PwC has opted for a large-scale migration of the entire "contact to cash" process to the public SAP S/4HANA Cloud.

What is the problem?

PwC's three disciplines - Assurance, Tax & Legal and Advisory - as well as the various countries within PwC Europe all use their own systems and processes. A new way of working together is needed. "Client intimacy is very important to us. What we do is by definition bespoke. This involves a certain degree of flexibility," says Wouter Hoff, partner at PwC. "Projects can change within a day. You have to be able to anticipate that. At the same time, collaboration is much easier and better if everyone is on the same systems and has the same processes. I'm not just talking about collaboration between the various disciplines but also between the countries that make up PwC Europe."

What is the solution?

In order to quickly adopt the new way of working, PwC has set up the global "Da Vinci" transformation programme. An important part of this programme involves harmonising the "contact to cash" process and putting it in the public cloud to achieve a unified way of working. "The cloud allows less scope for the bespoke approach but the latest technical updates and new functionalities are immediately available," says Hoff. "Also, new developments are easy to adopt without significant investment."

PwC Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Switzerland are among the frontrunners in this area, adopting a module for a new system for recording hours and managing travel and incidental expenses. Everything is cloud-based and linked to SAP S/4HANA Cloud. PwC has teamed up with SAP to optimise the system for the professional services that PwC is provides.

What is the result?

According to Hoff, users are already noticing the benefits of the new systems and the unified way of working. "We now only have to enter certain data once, all of which is automatically entered into SAP S/4HANA. This gives us a grip on and insight into management and planning on the one hand and ease of use for our employees on the other.

In addition, collaboration has improved, both between the three disciplines and across borders. When, based in the consultancy practice, I carry out an assignment for a client together with PwC Germany and colleagues from Tax, the overall assignment is clear to everyone.

Now we're in the process of drawing up business rules. We are looking at the parameters we can build in to get insights faster, which will help us in managing and adjusting our business. This shows that this transformation goes beyond the finance department alone and is a real business transformation," Hoff concludes.