A new way to build your finance function

By Rosemarie Trabuco – RSM Malta Lead Senior, Outsourcing

Finance functions today are operating in an increasingly complex environment. Regulatory expectations continue to evolve, access to skilled talent remains constrained, and finance teams are expected to deliver not only accurate reporting but also strategic insight that supports business growth.

Across Malta, many organisations are recognising that the traditional fully in-house model may no longer provide the flexibility, resilience, or specialist expertise required in a modern business landscape.

While outsourcing can address certain operational needs, it may not always offer the level of integration or responsiveness that organisations require. As a result, a more balanced and adaptable approach is gaining momentum: the hybrid finance model.

Why internal finance teams are under increasing pressure

Internal finance teams bring valuable institutional knowledge and play a critical role in supporting day-to-day decision-making. However, many organisations are finding that their teams are increasingly stretched. Common challenges include:

• Difficulties in attracting and retaining qualified finance professionals
• Growing technical complexity across financial reporting, tax compliance, and regulatory requirements
• Increased reliance on a small number of key individuals, creating operational risk and reduced continuity

Even well-structured teams can struggle to keep pace as organisations expand, enter new markets, or face new compliance demands. This can limit the finance function’s ability to focus on higher-value, forward-looking activities.

Why outsourcing alone may not fully address the need

Outsourcing can provide efficiency, scalability, and access to specialist expertise. However, a fully outsourced model may sometimes create distance between finance operations and the organisation’s strategic priorities. Businesses may experience reduced visibility, slower communication, or a lack of alignment with internal processes and culture.

For finance to function as a true strategic partner to leadership, it must remain closely connected to the organisation’s operations while still benefiting from specialist capabilities.

The hybrid finance model: combining control with capability

The hybrid model offers a practical and effective solution by combining the strengths of internal teams with the expertise and scalability of an external advisory partner such as RSM Malta.

Under this approach, internal finance personnel continue to manage core operational activities and provide business-critical insight, while RSM Malta supports the organisation with specialist technical expertise, additional capacity during peak periods, and ongoing advisory support.

This model enables organisations to:

• Reduce dependency on individual team members and improve continuity
• Strengthen governance, controls, and reporting quality
• Scale finance capabilities in line with business growth, without the delays associated with recruitment
• Access specialist expertise across accounting, compliance, reporting, and finance transformation when needed
• Importantly, the hybrid approach preserves internal control and visibility while enhancing the overall strength and resilience of the finance function.

Building a finance function that supports long-term growth

Forward-looking organisations in Malta are increasingly adopting hybrid finance structures as a way to future-proof their operations. By combining internal knowledge with external advisory support, businesses can build finance functions that are more adaptable, more robust, and better positioned to support strategic decision-making.

At RSM Malta, we work closely with organisations to strengthen their finance functions through flexible, tailored hybrid support. Whether supplementing internal teams, providing technical expertise, or supporting finance transformation initiatives, our goal is to help businesses build finance capabilities that enable sustainable growth. If your organisation is reviewing how best to structure its finance function, RSM Malta can help you design a hybrid approach that enhances resilience, improves efficiency, and supports your long-term strategic objectives.