Tapping Premium Talent Reserves to Keep F&A Operations Humming During ERP Implementation

The company engaged On-Demand by RGP to help fill essential finance and accounting positions with top-tier talent, so their team could focus on the ERP implementation.

Although the company itself is large, some key functions are based in a small town with a limited talent pool—and a 50-mile commute to the nearest metro area. Also, it was very early in the COVID-19 pandemic, and while many companies were still fully remote, our client wanted everyone back in the office full-time. This made it difficult to backfill these specialized roles locally — and the controller was unsatisfied with the quality of talent that was available.

Based on the successful results we delivered on project-based work for many years, our client turned to On-Demand by RGP to bridge the gap.

The On-Demand talent team took a hands-on, personalized approach to recruitment, leveraging a combination of LinkedIn searches, networking groups, and internal recruitment resources to find qualified candidates. Our recruitment lead personally sourced much of the talent to ensure we got the right people with the right experience, skills, and culture fit.

We also participated in the interview process, allowing us to better understand the skills and attributes our client was looking for and screen candidates more effectively to ensure alignment with our client’s expectations.

While our client’s team focused 100% on the ERP implementation, our consultants covered day-to-day responsibilities for everything from billing and month-end close to inventory reconciliation and financial planning and analysis. By keeping these operational wheels turning, we played a critical role in our client’s successful deployment of SAP S/4HANA and post-go-live stabilization.

Over the course of the five-year project, On-Demand by RGP successfully placed 40 to 60 consultants with the right level of experience. Our client praised the quality of our consultants, frequently requesting additional placements as new needs arose. As projects within one department wound down, our team members were often recommended to other departments, allowing for continued work and integration across the company.

Despite the challenges of working on-site, our consultants remained committed to the project, motivated by the professional treatment and inclusivity they experienced. The positive working environment contributed to strong retention rates over the multi-year engagement.

Through a combination of strategic talent sourcing, direct involvement in the hiring process, and excellent relationship management, our firm helped this global energy company achieve its technology transformation goals while maintaining high-quality staffing for vital finance and accounting functions.