From auditing and wealth management to tax consulting and business recovery, few firms match the scope or strategic insight of HLB Mann Judd. With offices across Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, this award-winning advisory group is trusted by companies building legacies, not just balance sheets.
Years ahead of the curve, the firm anticipated that local recruitment wouldn’t sustain long-term growth in the face of a tightening talent market. Instead of waiting for the impact to hit, they took a bold step offshore—setting the foundation for a smarter, more scalable way to keep their finance and accounting operations strong.
HLB Mann Judd: At a Glance
Industry:
Accounting / Professional Services
Size:
650+ Employees (Australia)
Headquarters:
Sydney, Australia
Years in Business:
43 Years
Recognitions:
Recognized with multiple
industry awards
Highlights:
80+ NPS, 20% faster turnaround
Utilization rate above 75
CHALLENGE
Outgrowing the Limits of Local Recruitment
In 2014, HLB Mann Judd launched the Future People Project to get ahead of shifting industry pressures. The internal initiative uncovered two major risks on the horizon: a looming talent shortage and intensifying pressure on profit margins. It became clear that relying solely on traditional hiring wouldn’t support the firm’s long-term growth.
- Looming Talent Shortage: The local recruitment pool was tightening across the finance and accounting industry.
- Rising Salary Pressure: Commercial firms were offering higher compensation, making it harder to stay competitive.
- Slow, Costly Hiring Models: Traditional recruitment couldn’t deliver the speed or scale the firm needed.
- Cost Constraints: Growth was being limited by operational expenses and mounting cost pressures.
TURNING POINT
The Offshore Strategy That Raised the Bar
HLB Mann Judd didn’t wait for the pressure to overwhelm their in-house team. Determined to find a better way forward, former Business Advisory Partner John Raffaele led the firm’s exploration of offshore solutions.
“Emapta stood out immediately. When I met with Tim Vorbach, the company’s CEO, his transparency and client-first thinking aligned perfectly with HLB’s values.”
In 2015, John flew to Manila for a rigorous three-day tour of 14 BPO providers. One of those visits was with Emapta. Struck by the cultural alignment, transparent pricing, and flexibility we offered, John returned with a 30-page business case that laid out a bold new direction—and secured full support from the partnership. That marked the start of a long-term collaboration, with Emapta helping HLB Mann Judd put their offshore strategy into action.
Pilot Launch with Documented Processes
The firm started with one division, creating detailed process maps and training videos to ensure a smooth offshore transition.
90-Day Onboarding Cycle
New divisions were onboarded every 90 days, allowing for consistent knowledge transfer and scalable implementation.
Firm-Wide Offshore Integration
Within 18 months, all onshore divisions were supported by dedicated offshore teams following standardized practices.
Robust Data Security Standards
Emapta helped HLB Mann Judd establish a secure offshore environment with encrypted communication, secure data transmission, and strict access controls to protect sensitive financial data.
Focus on Team Quality and Culture
HLB Mann Judd prioritized training and development, offering mentorship and growth opportunities to foster long-term offshore engagement.
IMPACT
Resilient Growth, Measurable Gains
With each wave of offshore integration, HLB Mann Judd saw measurable improvements. What started as a pilot initiative soon became a firm-wide strategy that raised the bar for how finance and accounting support could scale sustainably.
Increased Capacity and Efficiency
Through offshoring, HLB Mann Judd expanded their finance and accounting capabilities, enabling the team to take on more work while reducing internal overhead.
75%+ Utilization Rate
Improved by 15 basis points, thanks to well-structured onboarding and strong process alignment without increasing team strain.
NPS Score of 80+
Clients consistently rate their experience highly, with an NPS above 80—a reflection of the dedication and quality delivered by both onshore and offshore teams.
Client Turnaround Time Improved by 20%
Expanded team support helped accelerate delivery timelines and minimize bottlenecks across client work.
Less Than 5% Attrition Since 2023
Low turnover has been driven by a supportive, collaborative culture—helping the firm maintain long-term workforce stability.
Inspired by the results, other member firms in the HLB network began reaching out, some of whom had previously struggled with direct offshoring attempts. Eventually, they adopted the same model, building high-performing finance and accounting teams through Emapta’s support.
FUTURE PLANS
Moving Forward With an Evolving Model
HLB Mann Judd’s offshore journey didn’t end with early wins. Instead, it continues to evolve. As the firm grows, so does its commitment to refining how offshore support powers day-to-day delivery and long-term goals.
Committed to Continuous Optimization
The firm continues to explore new ways to streamline processes, expand capabilities, and enhance delivery across teams.
Strengthening a Long-Term Partnership
By working closely with Emapta, HLB ensures its offshore strategy stays responsive, scalable, and aligned with what matters most to their clients.
Deepening Team Engagement
Quarterly visits and cultural alignment efforts have built stronger bonds with offshore teams—boosting morale, retention, and a shared sense of purpose.
CONCLUSION
From Early Insight to Enduring Advantage
By acting early and decisively, HLB Mann Judd set a new course that would shape how the firm scales, delivers, and adapts to change. Their bold move to look beyond traditional hiring has evolved into a decade-long strategy that continues to deliver results across the business. It’s an advantage that now supports firm-wide growth and drives consistent performance.
This journey came full circle for John, the former HLB Business Advisory Partner who led their offshoring initiative. He recently joined Emapta as Global Head of Finance and Accounting Operations, where he now helps other businesses rethink what’s possible when they’re backed by the right model—and the right people.
For businesses facing the same pressures HLB once did, the lesson is clear: strategic outsourcing is more than a staffing workaround. It’s a long-term enabler. With the right structure, mindset, and a partner like Emapta, you can create lasting capacity without compromising quality.
Contact Us
Join us at Emapta as we continue to lead the transformation in finance and accounting outsourcing. Our journey is one where forward-thinking solutions meet measurable impact, setting new standards for what it means to optimize operations. With Emapta as your strategic advisor, the future of your workforce isn’t just more efficient—it’s also more agile, scalable, and resilient.
