Cost-Effective Excellence:
How Smarter Surfaces Achieved 70% Savings Through Strategic Outsourced Staffing
Introduction
This case study examines how Smarter Surfaces, a leading Irish manufacturer of innovative surface products for offices and schools, successfully navigated financial constraints by adopting an outsourced staffing solution- Hunter Marshall. The expert team at Hunter Marshall delivered substantial cost savings while maintaining high-quality financial management.
Client Information
Smarter Surfaces specialises in developing and manufacturing innovative surface products like commercial wallcoverings, films, paints and plasters. They transform everyday spaces in educational institutions and corporate environments. As the pandemic impacted operations globally, the company encountered significant financial constraints that limited its ability to expand its finance team despite growing needs.
Company Name: Smarter Surfaces
Industry: Manufacturing - Innovative Surface Products
Global Presence: 20 countries, 5 continents
Job Title: Remote Accountant
Website: smartersurfaces.com
Roles & Functions Required
The company identified a critical need for a qualified accountant who could:
- Manage day-to-day financial operations
- Ensure regulatory compliance
- Provide financial reporting and analysis
- Support strategic financial planning
- Work effectively with the existing finance team
With these requirements in mind, Smarter Surfaces needed to find a solution that would address their staffing needs while respecting budget limitations imposed by pandemic-related financial pressures.
Decision-Making Process of the Brand
Smarter Surfaces conducted a thorough analysis of the requirements and discovered significant financial barriers to local recruitment:
- A base salary requirement of €60,000 for a qualified accountant in Ireland
- Total annual costs are estimated at €92,000 when including taxes and overheads
- Budget constraints that made local hiring unfeasible during the pandemic
After evaluating alternatives, Smarter Surfaces decided to partner with Hunter Marshall to explore outsourced staffing solutions. This decision was driven by the potential for cost savings while maintaining access to qualified talent with the necessary expertise.
Implementation & Experience
The implementation process followed a structured approach:
- Requirements gathering: Hunter Marshall worked closely with Smarter Surfaces' finance lead to understand specific requirements and team dynamics.
- Tailored description: A customised job description was created to attract candidates with the right qualifications and experience.
- Candidate sourcing: The position was advertised to Hunter Marshall's remote talent pool, focusing on talent with strong accounting expertise.
- Rigorous screening: Comprehensive first-round interviews were conducted to assess technical capabilities, communication skills, and remote work readiness.
- Candidate selection: A shortlist of top candidates was presented to Smarter Surfaces for final evaluation.
Ganesh from Mumbai, India, emerged as the standout candidate due to his impressive qualifications, which included:
- Previous remote working experience with a Canadian accounting firm
- Master's degree in Finance
- Extensive international accounting expertise
- Advanced technical capabilities
- Proven track record in remote work environments
Results & Impact
The partnership between Smarter Surfaces and Hunter Marshall delivered remarkable results in the areas of finance, operations, and administration.
Financial Benefits
- 70% cost reduction compared to local hiring
- Total annual cost of just €20,000 versus projected €92,000 for local talent
- Significant savings without compromising on quality or expertise
Operational Success
- Seamless integration of Ganesh into the Smarter Surfaces finance team
- Effective remote collaboration and communication
- The continued relationship is now in its second year
- Arrangement consistently exceeding initial expectations
Administrative Efficiency
- Hunter Marshall is serving as the employer of record
- Management of all local tax and social security payments
- Full compliance with local employment legislation
- Simplified monthly invoicing process for Smarter Surfaces
- Elimination of complex payroll and compliance concerns
Conclusion
The case study of Smarter Surfaces demonstrates how innovative outsourced staffing solutions can help businesses overcome financial constraints while maintaining operational excellence. By embracing remote talent through a strategic partnership with Hunter Marshall, Smarter Surfaces achieved huge cost savings while gaining access to high-quality financial expertise.
This solution not only addressed immediate staffing needs during a challenging period but has evolved into a sustainable long-term arrangement that continues to deliver value. The success of this partnership highlights the potential of outsourced staffing as a strategic tool for businesses seeking to optimise their operations while managing costs effectively.
For companies facing similar challenges, this case study offers valuable insights into how outsourced staffing solutions can transform financial constraints into opportunities for innovation and growth.
