Case Description:
Wide ranging Contract Compliance review across multiple spend categories for Walmart.
Requirement:
Walmart approached Audit Partnership as a partner on a programme of contract compliance reviews in 2017, with the objectives of:
- Growing the Contract Compliance programme within the Walmart US business.
- Identifying risk areas and developing strategies to prevent loss going forward.
- Assist in implementing best practice in agreeing and documenting commercial agreements.
Audit Partnership were already working partnering Walmart on several other projects, and as a result were asked to support the business with the new Contract Compliance requirement.
Audit Partnership Solution:
To ensure the right mix of skills and expertise were available for the client, Audit Partnership assigned a separate, dedicated team of Contract Compliance specialists, in addition to the team who were already working on existing Walmart projects. To ensure the quality of the work, and outcomes matched the client objectives, Audit Partnership assigned an Account Manager from our Senior Leadership team with specific experience in commercial agreements who provided ongoing management and client support throughout the process.
Audit Partnership’s customer centric approach enabled our team work cohesively and effectively with both the Walmart process lead and business owners, to drive maximum benefit and efficiency into the audit programme.
Audit Partnership were instrumental in developing the audit process, including embedding our supplier collaboration approach to audit and recovery. This approach has proven to be highly effective in resolving queries quickly and efficiently, with maximum return for the client and minimum disruption to the supplier.
This has led to the expansion of the audit programme into new territories, with Audit Partnership now providing successful audit programmes across Canada and South Africa.
Impact:
Walmart remain one of Audit Partnership’s valued customers, and the success of the Contract Compliance review shows through the adoption of our best practice recommendations, which ensure commercial agreements are robustly documented and managed throughout the lifetime of the relationship. This has resulted in lessons learned being shared throughout the Walmart business, to better support supplier relationships, and minimise risk going forward.
A key message behind our success is our unique approach to supplier involvement within the process, fully engaging for a completely transparent and collaborative approach. Our team are proud to have received written feedback from Walmart’s suppliers, praising their dedication, attention to detail, and supportive approach, and as a result the audit programme continues to go from strength to strength.
