Panalpina optimizes finance with Accenture

   Freight forwarder Panalpina has started the first phase of a finance and accounting business process outsourcing initiative as part of a seven-year agreement with Accenture that it signed in October 2010.
   Panalpina said it’s working with Accenture to consolidate and standardize financial processes for its global operations including purchase-to-pay, order-to-cash and record-to-report services. The goal is to unify these processes through new technology platforms that give Panalpina stronger control over its information and operations.
   Accenture will deliver the finance and accounting services to Panalpina in 14 languages for 23 European countries, the United States, and Canada. This accounts for roughly half of the finance and accounting operations at Panalpina.
   The Panalpina Group operates a global network of about 500 branches in more than 80 countries, and has a presence via partner companies in 80 other countries.