Project Overview
Crimestoppers, the independent charity that gives people the power to speak up and stop crime anonymously, identified that its existing systems and processes were creating significant inefficiencies. Management data was limited, processes were slow, and there was a heavy reliance on spreadsheets — making it difficult to answer basic questions about performance or to support strategic decision-making.
Working with Transparity, Crimestoppers implemented Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central to modernise its finance and operational processes. The result has been transformative: automated expense processing alone saves around 12 man-weeks of staff time each year, financial close is faster, and the organisation now has clear, real-time visibility of its performance and finances.
The Challenge
A review of existing systems and processes highlighted several challenges. Management data was limited, processes were slow, and there was a heavy reliance on spreadsheets to manage operations and reporting.
This made it difficult to answer basic questions around performance, such as which services were generating income or how efficiently staff time was being used. The organisation needed a solution that would save time, increase visibility and support better decision making.
The Solution
Crimestoppers selected Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, implemented with support from Transparity, to modernise its finance and operational processes.
The solution supports a wide range of functions, including sales order processing, financial reporting, expense management using the Continia app, project financials through the Jobs module, and purchase order processing with approval workflows.
The implementation was delivered through workshops, system design, data migration and user training, with ongoing testing to ensure a smooth transition. Transparity’s expertise helped shape a solution that maximised out-of-the-box functionality while meeting the charity’s needs.
With Business Central in place, Crimestoppers now benefits from improved management reporting, with clear visibility of contract performance and financial outcomes. Financial processes have been streamlined, enabling faster month-end close and reducing manual effort.
Expense processing has been simplified and automated, saving around 12 man-weeks of time each year. Improvements in VAT recovery have also delivered additional financial benefit.
“We can now easily get the information needed to make strategic decisions about the business, our position against budgets and the value of new work that we win. The pace at which we can deliver improvements is also increasing as we pass the bedding-in period.” — Steve Mann, Director of Finance, Crimestoppers
The Outcome
Improved decision making
Real-time business intelligence provides greater visibility into financial performance and supports faster, more informed decisions.
Increased productivity
Automation reduces time spent on routine tasks such as expense claims and month-end processes, freeing up staff to focus on higher-value work.
Improved financial outcomes
Simplified processes have enabled better budget tracking and increased VAT recovery.
Cloud-enabled collaboration
The system supports collaboration across teams, both in the office and remotely, removing knowledge silos.
