Benchmarking Study Produces a Target Operating Model to Optimize Talent

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Benchmarking Study Produces a Target Operating Model to Optimize Talent

Client Overview

A global organization headquartered in Madrid.

Deployed Capabilities

Transformation

50+ Roles

Benchmarked 50+ roles across 10 finance functions, providing a quantifiable foundation for staffing, compensation, and workload decisions.

Deep Dive Analysis

Over 40 companies were analyzed to select six peers to evaluate span of control, efficiency metrics, financial data, and operational metrics.

Full Desk Output Model

Produced an output model with cycle times, output volumes, and hours to perform, enabling leadership to make data-driven decisions.

The
Challenge

Our client engaged us to assess its U.S. Accounting and Finance function amid rapid growth and evolving demands. The study focused on benchmarking cost, headcount, and efficiency against peers to identify automation and talent optimization opportunities to reduce operational risk and improve performance.

The
Custom 
Solution

Our research analysts, business intelligence specialists, and finance experts executed a six-phase engagement.

Organizational Data Capture: Interviews and surveys gathered desk-level outputs, workflows, time allocations, compensation levels, and system usage across 10+ functional departments.
Desk Output Model: Detailed documentation measured individual contributions, output cycle times, and labor costs, creating visibility into productivity by role.
Peer Benchmarking: Using industry databases, proprietary frameworks, and subject matter networks, we benchmarked structure, cost per desk, system maturity, and headcount against six (narrowed from 40) comparable organizations.
Market Compensation Analysis: Collected base salary and total cash compensation data from the Economic Research Institute database to analyze compensation against 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles.
Data Analysis & Reporting: Key findings were synthesized into interactive matrices, dashboards, and long-form reporting with efficiency rankings by department and role.
Target Operating Model Design: Based on this analysis, we delivered actionable recommendations including cross-training strategies, role redesign, automation opportunities, and succession planning.

The
Impactful
Results

This engagement delivered a fact-based roadmap to optimize the client’s finance organization and align resources with business priorities.

Benchmarking of 50+ roles uncovered improvement areas.
Compensation and productivity insights highlighted gaps.
Risk factors tied to systems and workforce demographics were identified.
KPI framework established supporting headcount planning.

These insights positioned our client to scale more efficiently and drive performance through informed, data-driven decisions.

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