A global project management solution for dwp architects

It’s exciting times for Fresh Accounting, the only Xero and WorkflowMax partner with offices in Hong Kong and Singapore. We spoke to founder Paul Gardner about the huge opportunity in Asia and the recent exciting implementation of Xero and WorkflowMax for global architecture firm dwp | design worldwide partnership.  

Hong Kong has a population of nearly 7.8 million and about 320,000 businesses, while Singapore has about 180,000 businesses and 5.7 million people – and both are growing exponentially. 

"Fresh is best placed to serve two very dynamic cities" – Paul Gardner, Fresh Accounting

Fresh Accounting, founded in 2014, started off by implementing Xero for their clients. The business has grown quickly, and today is more of a “proactive accounting” business, helping small businesses find bespoke solutions that meet their requirements and will help them grow. “We offer the full breadth of services from accounting to CFO,” says Paul proudly. “Everything we do is within the business.”  

Legacy to the cloud

Global architecture heavyweight dwp, with 400 staff and offices in 11 countries around the world, has a progressive, holistic approach to design. They started their journey as interior designers, meaning they design buildings from the inside out, creating beautiful spaces that actually work. 

The team has a huge skillset in hospitality, and thinks about all their projects through a hospitality and lifestyle lens which not only provides an additional level of customer experience, but ultimately allows the clients’ buildings to be more successful.

But dwp needed systems in place to realise all these great ambitions and their legacy ERP system was holding them back.

"We grew out of Asia, and there is an entrepreneurial spirit infused throughout what we do" – Bill Burgess, dwp

No surprise then, that when Paul pitched WorkflowMax and Xero, the company was ready to embrace the change.

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Getting staff to adopt the software

DWP Dubai

Bill Burgess, Group Marketing Director at dwp, knew that if staff were excited and engaged they’d be more likely to adopt the software. And what better way to create some buzz than to throw WorkflowMax themed, mini-launch parties! Luckily, the idea “spread like wildfire”, with teams in all the regions sending in photos and indulging in a friendly intra-office competition.

The team in Ho Chi Minh City

WorkflowMax themed donuts!

"We tried to generate a lot of excitement around the launch of WorkflowMax, so that people really understood what it was all about" – Bill Burgess, dwp

The value of WorkflowMax and Xero

Right from the outset, dwp had a very collaborative approach to business. Being cloud-based, and available from anywhere means WorkflowMax and Xero fit perfectly with the robust technology stack dwp is building. In fact, Bill claims WorkflowMax has “revolutionised” part of the dwp system, and helped them become a 100% cloud based architectural and design practice.

For business owners, a solution like Xero and WorkflowMax means greater transparency and accountability. Everything is at your fingertips – whether it’s granular insight on how the business is performing at a project level, or information on which clients haven’t paid yet. The best part is, there are a plethora of add-ons in the Xero ecosystem that can help boost your business firepower!

Top 5 reasons to use an Implementation Partner?

With a global business like dwp, with over 400 staff distributed around the world, training and support are a huge part of transitioning to a new software - if your staff don’t buy into the dream, the solution won’t get used, and all that time and money has gone to waste. Implementation is only one part of it – there is a constant training and support afterwards to make sure clients can “use it, run it and be happy with it”.

Here are the top 5 reasons to use an Implementation Partner

• Customised solutions for your business
• Tap into huge wealth of knowledge and expertise to get your set-up right
• Ongoing training and support
• Can tweak & change if needed
• Hassle-free – you have time to focus on the business

"There is a great story here. Xero is transforming the way businesses work in Asia." – Paul Gardner, Fresh Accounting

We’re really glad to have an experienced partner like Fresh Accounting looking after businesses in Asia - here’s to the next five years!

Fresh Accounting is a proud Platinum Partner of Xero with head office in Hong Kong and most recently opened a new office in Singapore. Fresh Accounting, as part of your Xero subscription, will integrate WorkflowMax and tailor it to compliment your business requirements. 

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