Europe?s top 1,000 companies are more concerned about customer services, operations and M&A transactions than they are about Sarbanes-Oxley or IAS compliance. That?s just one conclusion from research by Handysoft, the global software solution provider. The major concerns for finance managers are: customer services and operations; integration difficulties following M&A activity, and; technology procurement and financial risk management.
Though Sarbanes-Oxley hits the headlines with a predictable monotony it is traditional business challenges ? such as customer service and organisational efficiency ? that focuses the attention of Europe?s finance executives. The research also notes that, despite the importance of improving efficiency and best practice among corporates, these standards remain under less scrutiny than other business functions.
Wendy Cohen, EMEA sales and operations director at Handysoft, comments: ?The new standards for transparent financial reporting in the US and Europe are critically important for the rebuilding of investor confidence. Yet this research serves to remind us that the primary concerns of company financial managers remain firmly focused on creating and retaining happy customers. Revenue comes before regulation.?