It’s no secret that procurement and finance are two of the most important departments in any organization. After all, they’re responsible for making sure that the company has the necessary resources to operate smoothly and effectively.
However, it’s also no secret that these two departments don’t always see eye to eye. In fact, there can be a lot of tension between procurement and finance, which can lead to problems down the line.
Why?
Well, it all comes down to money. Procurement is responsible for ensuring that the company spends its money wisely, while finance is responsible for making sure that the company has enough money to cover its expenses. As you can imagine, there can be a lot of conflict between these two departments if they’re not working together properly. If you want to get a finance or tax consultation, visit this page.
Let’s take a closer look.
The Importance of the Two Departments
First and foremost, it’s important to understand that procurement and finance are both critical parts of the company’s overall strategy. Procurement is responsible for securing the necessary resources that the company needs to operate, while finance is responsible for ensuring that those resources are used in the most efficient and effective way possible.
If these two departments are not working together, it can lead to a lot of wasted time and effort as each department tries to go about its business without taking the other into account.
Another reason why procurement and finance need to work well together is that they both have access to a lot of important data. Procurement has data on the prices of various goods and services, while finance has data on the company’s financial situation.
If these two departments are not sharing this data, it can lead to problems. For example, if finance doesn’t know what procurement is paying for goods and services, it can’t make the necessary adjustments to the company’s budget.
Finally, it’s important to remember that both procurement and finance are part of the same team. They both have the same goal: to help the company succeed.
If they’re not working together, it’s going to be very difficult for the company to reach its goals.
Why Do Finance and Procurement Departments Differ in Goals and Opinion?
There are a few different reasons why finance and procurement departments might have different goals and opinions.
First and foremost, it’s important to remember that these two departments have different priorities. Procurement is focused on securing the necessary resources for the company, while finance is focused on ensuring that those resources are used in the most efficient way possible.
As a result, it’s not uncommon for procurement to be more concerned with the upfront cost of goods and services, while finance is more concerned with the long-term financial impact of those purchases.
Another reason why these two departments might have different goals is that they have different levels of knowledge about the company’s overall strategy. Procurement is typically more focused on the day-to-day operations of the company, while finance is more focused on the long-term financial health of the organization.
As a result, procurement might not have a clear understanding of the company’s overall strategy, which can lead to tension between the two departments.
Finally, it’s important to remember that procurement and finance are both part of the larger organization. As a result, they might have different priorities when it comes to organizational goals.
For example, procurement might be more focused on saving the company money, while finance might be more focused on ensuring that the company is making a profit.
How to Improve Communication Between the Departments
There are a few things that can be done to improve communication between procurement and finance.
First, it’s important to have regular meetings between the two departments. This will give both sides a chance to share their data and discuss any problems or issues that they’re having.
Second, it’s important to make sure that both departments are using the same software platforms and tools. This will make it easier for them to share data and communicate with each other.
Finally, it’s important to remember that communication is a two-way street. Both departments need to be willing to listen to each other and take the other’s needs into account.
If both procurement and finance can keep these things in mind, they’ll be well on their way to working together more effectively.
Some Practical Strategies to Help Finance and Procurement Work Together
There are a few more practical strategies that can help finance and procurement work together more effectively.
One strategy is for finance to develop a better understanding of the procurement process. This can be done by attending training sessions or reading procurement-related materials. Additionally, finance personnel should try to build positive relationships with procurement staff and ask questions about how the procurement process works.
Another strategy is for procurement to provide timely information to finance. This information should include data on planned and completed purchases, as well as information on supplier contracts. Additionally, procurement should keep finance updated on any changes to the procurement process or policies, including participation in cooperative contracts for education institutions.
Finally, as explained in the previous section, both finance and procurement should establish clear communication channels and procedures. This can help ensure that information is exchanged quickly and effectively between the two departments. Additionally, both finance and procurement should agree on a set of KPIs that can be used to track progress and identify areas of improvement.
By following these practical strategies, finance and procurement can work together more effectively to ensure that the organization’s purchasing decisions are made in a financially responsible manner.
Conclusion: The Bottom Line
When it comes to procurement and finance, it’s important to remember that communication is key. Both departments need to be willing to share information and work together towards common goals. Additionally, both departments should use the same software platforms and tools and establish clear communication channels and procedures. By following these practical strategies, finance and procurement can work together more effectively to ensure that the organization’s purchasing decisions are made in a financially responsible manner.
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