Global Business Services (GBS) Model
Global business services (GBS) is an integrated, scalable, and mature version of the shared services model. Global Business Services Model is a result of shared services maturing and evolving on a global scale. It is represented by the growth and maturity of the Shared services to better service the global corporations they support.
Global business services (GBS) is an integrated, scalable, and mature version of the shared services model. Global Business Services Model is a result of shared services maturing and evolving on a global scale. It is represented by the growth and maturity of the Shared services to better service the global corporations they support. Global Business Services framework adds value to the shared services model by taking the model beyond labor arbitrage. This model adds consistent approaches to global services strategy formation, transition, and governance resulting in improved collaboration across the entire enterprise ecosystem. GBS provides services beyond transactional functions and provides value to the organization by enabling standardization, scalability, technology, well defined and optimized processes and business analytics. Under this model the entire organization collectively start leveraging global business services to accelerate attainment of corporate strategies.
General Electric, Bank of America, American Express are some examples who have already established Global Business Services model for their entire finance functions where a Global Operations Finance Team provides record to report and statutory and tax compliance services to all the businesses under its umbrella.
Main Features of GBS model:
- Integrated compilation of service offerings for multiple support functions within a company
- Global in nature with respect to both delivery centers and customers
- Service provides can be both internal and/or external
- Service providers are managed centrally by GBS organization
- Service offerings by GBS are standardized and follow process model with defined roles and responsibilities and handshakes at each interaction
- Global process ownership
- Integrated application suite(s)/Information Systems across the enterprise with well-defined processes and best practices
- Virtual centers of expertise to build and disseminate subject-matter expertise
- Defined and well tracked operational metrics to measure speed, quality and costs
- Standardization of processes and practices that result in the GBS organization being run like an independent entity
- Ability to take competitive advantage of cost arbitrage and third party expertise
- Mix of service delivery models - Captive offshore; In-house shared services centers; outsourced delivery models; “hybrids”
Value drivers of GBS Model
- Cost savings through economies of scale and labor arbitrage
- Simplification and standardization of processes
- Advanced analytics and visibility across different structures (legal/operational) of the enterprise
- Ability to hire and retain global talent
- Skill arbitrage: value derived from access to higher-skilled labor across globe
- Ability to work in shifts leveraging the time zone differences across globe
- Ability to deploy advanced tools and technology
- Ability to deliver scalability to processes and functions
Functions that can be shared across business units
- Sourcing and Procurement
- Buy to Pay – Accounts Payable
- Invoice to Cash – Accounts Receivable
- Payroll Management
- Record to Report – General Ledger
- Fixed Assets Management
- Statutory Reporting and Tax Reporting
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Vendor Management
- Customer Management
- Master Data Maintenance
All the models described above represent matrix structures. However, Matrix Structures can become overly complex, effectively having to uphold two hierarchies, with potential tensions between the two.
Related Links
You May Also Like
-
Explore the concept of journal reversals and understand the business scenarios in which users may need to reverse the accounting entries that have been already entered into the system. Understand the common sources of errors resulting in the reversal of entries and learn how to correct them. Discuss the reversal of adjustment entries and the reversal functionalities in ERPs.
-
In this article, we explain some commonly used subsidiary ledgers like accounts receivable subsidiary ledger, accounts payable subsidiary ledger or creditors' subsidiary ledger, inventory subsidiary ledger, fixed assets subsidiary ledger, projects subsidiary ledger, work in progress subsidiary ledger, and cash receipts or payments subsidiary ledger.
-
In every journal entry that is recorded, the debits and credits must be equal to ensure that the accounting equation is matched. In this article, we will focus on how to analyze and recorded transactional accounting information by applying the rule of credit and debit. We will also focus on some efficient methods of recording and analyzing transactions.
-
What Is a General Ledger? General Ledger (also known in accounting as the GL or the Nominal Ledger) is at the heart of any accounting system. A general ledger is the master set of accounts that summarize all transactions occurring within an entity. Ledger is the skillful grouping and presentation of the Journal entries. Learn the accounting fundamentals, general ledger process, and general ledger flow.
-
GL - Journal Posting and Balances
In this tutorial, we will explain what we mean by the posting process and what are the major differences between the posting process in the manual accounting system compared to the automated accounting systems and ERPs. This article also explains how posting also happens in subsidiary ledgers and subsequently that information is again posted to the general ledger.
-
Funds contributed by owners in any business are different from all other types of funds. Equity is the residual value of the business enterprise that belongs to the owners or shareholders. The funds contributed by outsiders other than owners that are payable to them in the future. Liabilities are generally classified as Short Term (Current) and Long Term Liabilities. Current liabilities are debts payable within one year.
-
Introduction to Legal Entities Concept
Modern business organizations operate globally and leverage a large number of registered legal entities, and operate through complex matrix relationships. To stay competitive in the current global business environment, they must often develop highly diverse and complex organizational structures that cross international borders. Learn more about Legal Entities and their importance for businesses.
-
What is a Business Eco System?
The goal of a business is to generate capital appreciation and profits for its owners or stakeholders by engaging in provision of goods and services to customers within the eco system/framework governed by respective laws(local/international). The eco system involves various entities that the business works with for delivery of a product or service.
-
Functional Organizational Structures
A functional organizational structure is a structure that consists of activities such as coordination, supervision and task allocation. The organizational structure determines how the organization performs or operates. The term organizational structure refers to how the people in an organization are grouped and to whom they report.
-
Record to report (R2R) is a finance and accounting management process that involves collecting, processing, analyzing, validating, organizing, and finally reporting accurate financial data. R2R process provides strategic, financial, and operational feedback on the performance of the organization to inform management and external stakeholders. R2R process also covers the steps involved in preparing and reporting on the overall accounts.
