Case Study
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL & HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC.(RAHS)
Improved accountability and ownership
ABOUT RAHS
Founded in 1839, the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of South Australia is a membership‑based, non‑profit organisation responsible for staging the Royal Adelaide Show, Wine Show, and other events. Its mission is to promote excellence in primary industry, educate the public about rural products, and encourage young people in agricultural education.
THE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Before implementing IDU‑Concept, the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of South Australia relied on Excel macro workbooks to manage its budgeting and reporting. This manual approach was cumbersome, time‑consuming, and prone to delays. Managers had to wait for finance staff to update spreadsheets, limiting visibility into their financial performance and slowing down month‑end reporting.
The lack of real‑time access meant non‑financial managers struggled to track progress or adapt quickly. Finance staff were under constant pressure to produce detailed reports, while accountability across divisions was limited. RAHS needed a modern, transparent system that could empower managers, reduce reliance on finance, and simplify the annual budget cycle.
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THE SOLUTION
In 2018, RAHS implemented the Enterprise Edition of IDU‑Concept’s Budgeting & Reporting Modules. The system provided real‑time analysis of actuals versus budgets, enabling divisional managers to review results at any point during the month and make adjustments as needed.
By assigning access to specific areas of the budget, IDU created greater accountability and ownership. Non‑finance staff could interrogate costs directly, drill down into transactions, and contribute meaningfully to the budgeting process. Monthly board reporting became faster and more inclusive, while the annual budget cycle benefited from input across all levels of management, fostering stronger commitment and alignment.
A PARTNER IN SUCCESS
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“RAHS needed a solution that could empower non‑financial managers while easing the load on finance. IDU‑Concept delivered transparency, accountability, and efficiency, transforming their budgeting into a collaborative, real‑time process.” – Kevin Phillips, CEO, IDU
“With all staff able to concurrently access individual project areas within IDU‑Concept, our budget setting season is less stressful and far quicker. Managers now take ownership of their budgets, and visibility into actual versus budget results has been well received across all levels.”
Hayley Herbst, GM Finance & Corporate, RAHS
THE RESULT
Real‑time visibility into actuals versus budgets.
Reduced pressure on finance staff, with managers accessing their own data.
Greater accountability and ownership across divisions.
Faster, more inclusive reporting, improving both monthly and annual cycles.
