How Plante Moran Strengthened Its Digital Backbone to Fuel Growth

Plante Moran, a century-old firm, has evolved from a small accounting practice to a billion-dollar audit, tax, consulting, and wealth management powerhouse, employing nearly 4,000 people. The firm’s growth has been driven by its commitment to innovation, according to Paul Blowers, the firm’s Chief Information Officer. As Plante Moran expanded, its internal systems grew increasingly complex, leading to a major overhaul powered by Workday. This integration streamlined its finance, HR, and automation systems, enabling the firm to better serve its employees and clients.

The ‘A-Ha’ Moment: Why Plante Moran Needed System Integration

Blowers identified two key turning points. First, during the creation of a new business strategy, the firm recognized the need for a stronger digital infrastructure. To stay competitive, Plante Moran needed better data management, more automation, and innovation. The second moment came during the pandemic, highlighting the importance of being digitally agile. While cloud systems handled the shift to remote work seamlessly, legacy systems created challenges. This led to a refocus on cloud-based ERP solutions.

How Workday Improved Efficiency at Plante Moran

With Workday, Plante Moran significantly reduced the complexity of managing multiple systems. Previously, reconciling data from 27 different systems was a labor-intensive, time-consuming process. Workday streamlined operations, providing real-time data across projects, time tracking, and billing. The month-end close is now automated and completed instantly, enabling more strategic use of staff time and offering leadership a comprehensive view of financial and personnel data in a single system.

Overcoming External Challenges

One of the firm’s biggest external challenges is the shortage of new accounting graduates. By integrating Workday, Plante Moran has optimized its workforce’s time, allowing staff to focus on high-value tasks. The firm is also using Workday’s partnership with Dayshape to schedule staff efficiently, balancing client needs, staff development, and economic goals.

Boosting Revenue and Delivering More Value

The firm’s digital transformation has expedited decision-making and improved responsiveness to client needs. The real-time access to a 360-degree view of people and data ensures that the right talent is assigned to the right projects. This efficiency is key to Plante Moran’s future growth and its ability to deliver higher value to clients.

Future Readiness: A Path to Sustained Growth

Looking forward, Plante Moran is focused on the future, preparing for the next phase of growth beyond its $1 billion revenue mark. The firm sees the ERP transformation as foundational for tackling increasing complexity in both its operations and clients’ demands. Furthermore, the firm’s renewed AI strategy aligns with the growing importance of data integration and AI innovation, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of technology.

Short-Term ROI: A Phased Approach

To achieve quick wins, Plante Moran implemented Workday in phases, starting with human capital management. This approach provided immediate ROI and helped the firm build a foundation for the finance and professional services automation that followed. Blowers emphasized that ERP is a long-term investment, designed to grow with the company and adapt to future needs.