What is a Shared Services Center (SSC)?

A Shared Services Center consolidates expert resources that are currently distributed throughout the University into a centralized unit. A SSC focuses on administrative and financial activities to increase service quality while allowing for projected growth. An integral step in the implementation of SSCs will be the review and revision of UMBC’s business processes to establish, document, and foster the implementation of more efficient and effective business processes.

Shared Services Centers will provide strong groups that take responsibility for designated administrative and financial services previously performed by generalist staff located in individual departments. Through streamlining, consolidation and automation, SSCs provides:

  • The infrastructure required to support the future growth of UMBC.
  • Relief to chairs and department heads from business oriented tasks freeing them up to concentrate on academics/academic tasks and research.
  • Strengthening of all aspects of compliance with external and internal policies and procedures.
  • Improved audit results

What are the benefits of SSCs?

  • Improved transactional flow and accuracy.
  • Reduced duplication of effort and fewer errors.
  • Higher level of specialization allowing for more proactive issue resolution.
  • Broader knowledge of administrative and financial policies, processes and procedures, providing stronger support and backup for all campus departments.
  • Greater ability to use technology to improve communications and to report to senior leadership, chairs, directors, faculty and staff.
  • Standardization leading to automation – so that any employee can do a process within a certain timeframe regardless of where they are.
  • Improved opportunities for our people– improves “person to job fit” and provides opportunities for future growth.

What business processes will SSCs support?

SSC’s generally support Accounts Payable, Procurement, Payroll & Hiring.  Depending on the SSC, services may include support for Contract & Grants and Financial Management.