Case Study
Southlea Group Builds Confidence and Financial Clarity
Company Overview
Southlea Group is a professional services firm specializing in compensation and human capital consulting. They support mid-to-large, complex publicly traded and privately held organizations on executive compensation, board pay, workforce compensation, and governance.
With a team of 20 professionals - and growing fast - Southlea brings deep subject-matter expertise to help organizations navigate complex human capital challenges.
The Challenge
As subject-matter experts, Southlea’s founding partners were well equipped to advise clients - but like many growing firms, they were navigating the realities of running a fast growing business.
“We were experts in the consulting area that we support our clients, but we were new to being business owners,” said Alex Pattillo, Partner at Southlea Group.
In the early years, Southlea outsourced accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll. While this worked initially, challenges began to surface as the firm grew. Frequent turnover on the provider’s team led to constant re-onboarding, limited continuity, and declining confidence in the data.
“There was a lot of turnover and transition… we were constantly onboarding different team members. And then there were some data quality issues - we were just losing confidence.”
For a growing professional services firm, unreliable financial data wasn’t just frustrating - it made decision-making harder and introduced unnecessary risk.
Southlea needed more than basic bookkeeping. They needed a consistent, technology-forward partner who could deliver accurate data, strong processes, and the confidence to rely on the numbers.
The Solution
When Southlea met the Scalability team, the difference was immediately clear. From the outset, Scalability emphasized smooth onboarding, process rigour, and long-term partnership.
“What really stood out was how much time you invest to learn about us and understand our business.”
Scalability focused on building a stable, knowledgeable team around Southlea, supported by broader internal expertise and quality control processes behind the scenes. This approach gave the Southlea team confidence that accuracy, consistency, and accountability were built into every step.
Key elements of support included:
✅ A dedicated, consistent team for day-to-day bookkeeping and payroll
✅ Strong quality review process
✅ A modern, integrated accounting and payroll technology stack
✅ Frequent check-ins and working sessions to review data and adapt support
✅ Hands-on support during onboarding, including correcting legacy issues
“It’s one thing to have reports produced month to month. It’s another thing to actually review the data together and make sure it’s what you need.”
Scalability also supported Southlea with payroll services - an area where reliability and responsiveness are critical.
“Payroll is not something you want to mess around with. The transition was smooth, the support was quick, and the team was very responsive.”
The Results
After onboarding and stabilizing their financial systems, Southlea now operates with a solid financial foundation and a clear, repeatable monthly reporting process.
“The biggest takeaway is the peace of mind. We know we have a true partner, and we know the numbers are correct.”
With accurate data, consistent support, and a team that understands their business, Southlea can now make decisions with confidence - and focus more energy on growth rather than back-office complexity.
“There’s a genuine feeling that the team is constantly focused on providing the best support they can.”
Final Thoughts
Alex puts it best: “It’s pretty simple - we’re happy we made the change.”
Looking for a financial partner who brings both rigour and peace of mind? Contact us to learn how we can support your business.