Laura Ștefan, Managing Partner Accace Romania: The cost-conscious outsourcing, among the major aspects to be considered in 2025

Laura Ștefan has more than 20 years of experience in professional services. She has helped grow Accace’s services for both new and established businesses in Romania. She is a true finance storyteller and visionary mentor, being one of the mentors who share their expertise during the mentorship sessions in the AceON Accelerator program. Her skills are not just about numbers but about crafting narratives that guide businesses towards new horizons and greater success.

Outsourcing Today, the business services industry’s community networking and news integrated platform, resumes the series of interviews dedicated to evolution, expectations and opportunities in business services and related industries.

We invite business leaders, managers of strategic departments of companies, key voices in their field to share with us their insights depicting the new beginning of this year in business, how it looks, how it is anticipated, what adjustments are included in 2025’s agenda and the perspective of growth.

Find the full series of interviews here

We spoke with Laura Ștefan, Managing Partner Accace România about the business evolution, trends and expectations of growth.

Find below the insights:

Strategic Vision and Market Trends

What are the key trends you believe will shape your industry in 2025?
The economic environment in Romania is under significant pressure due to ongoing fiscal and legislative changes, compounded by recent political instability so the businesses must adapt to new regulations and geopolitical shifts. Companies are scaling back, cutting costs, and focusing on operational efficiency. This means that optimization and compliance will be at the forefront of decision-making.

In 2025, we see three major trends shaping the industry. First, cost-conscious outsourcing—companies are realizing that outsourcing accounting, payroll, and legal services is not an expense, but a way to optimize operations, reduce risks, and maintain compliance in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. Second, financial and tax advisory services are more critical than ever. Companies need to navigate tax changes strategically, not reactively. Third, business agility will define success. Organizations that can adjust quickly to shifting economic realities—by streamlining processes and leveraging expert support—will stay ahead.

What major adjustments should a business consider this year, in the context of local market competition and worldwide challenges?
This is the year when businesses must redefine efficiency. The focus should be on cost structure optimization, risk mitigation, and financial resilience. Companies can no longer afford inefficiencies in their internal processes or compliance risks due to shifting regulations.

One major adjustment is rethinking internal operations – businesses should assess what functions truly need to be kept in-house versus what can be outsourced for greater efficiency and cost savings. Another key adjustment is strengthening financial strategy – it’s not just about cost-cutting but about making smarter financial decisions, particularly in areas of tax planning and cash flow management. Lastly, compliance must be proactive, not reactive. With tax and labor regulations constantly evolving, businesses need to be one step ahead to avoid financial penalties or operational disruptions.

What leadership aspects are you carrying into 2025?
I think that this year demands stability, clarity, and proactive problem-solving from leadership. Clients and teams are facing uncertainty, and strong leadership means providing guidance, solutions, and reassurance in difficult times.

For me, leadership in 2025 is about being present for our clients, helping them see opportunities amid challenges, and ensuring they have the right support to navigate fiscal and legislative pressures. It’s also about keeping our team motivated, showing them the value of what we do, and reinforcing that in a challenging market, our role as consultants and business partners is more critical than ever.

People and Sustainability

What steps is your company taking to align with the sustainability goals in 2025?
Sustainability is about both environmental responsibility and business resilience. At Accace, we are fully committed to digital transformation, reducing paperwork, optimizing office resources, and minimizing our carbon footprint. But beyond environmental initiatives, we also focus on sustainable business practices – helping our clients acknowledge the regulatory changes, improve compliance, and optimize their operations for long-term success.

How do you engage people in your teams to ensure long-term sustainability in your operations?
Our approach is simple: growth, purpose, and recognition. At Accace, we invest in continuous learning and development, ensuring our teams have the skills needed for the future. We make sure people understand the impact of their work – why their role matters in the bigger picture. And we recognize contributions, creating a culture where people feel valued and motivated. Retention and engagement aren’t about perks alone; they’re about meaningful work and career progression.

Which are the main aspects to be considered in 2025 in terms of DEI and ESG?
The DEI and ESG strategies are no longer ‘nice to have’ – they are business imperatives. Companies must ensure fair representation in leadership, transparent governance, and sustainable business operations. In 2025, ESG reporting will become more rigorous, and clients and investors will hold companies accountable. Proactive businesses will integrate these aspects into their strategy rather than react to regulations.

What are the priorities for nurturing talent and building a resilient workforce this year?
The key priority is skills development and adaptability. The business landscape is shifting, and companies need teams who are flexible, tech-savvy, and ready to innovate. We focus on upskilling, leadership coaching, and creating an environment where employees see a clear career path. At the same time, well-being matters – flexibility, and a strong company culture will be essential for talent retention.

Innovation and Digital Transformation

What role does innovation play in the company’s business strategy for this year? In what kind of business aspects should it be more integrated?
Innovation is at the heart of Accace business strategy because our clients rely on us to provide proactive, efficient solutions. We integrate innovation across financial management, accounting automation, and legal advisory – leveraging data analytics, AI, and automation to make processes smoother and smarter. But innovation isn’t just about technology; it’s about rethinking how services are delivered, creating a more agile, customized experience for clients.

What emerging technologies are you planning to leverage for business growth this year? What about AI, how is it anticipated to reshape the business this year?
We are investing in tools with AI features. Technology won’t replace our experts, but it will augment their capabilities. By automating routine tasks, we allow our team to dedicate more time to strategic advisory and client-focused initiatives. This is crucial in areas like tax planning, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance, where precision and efficiency are key.

Looking Ahead
Clarity. Agility. Sustainability. Empowerment. Vision. In 2025, success will come from making clear, strategic decisions, adapting to market shifts, and investing in both people and technology to build a more sustainable future

Accace Romania was founded in Bucharest in 2007, being one of the first international branches of Accace. Understanding the needs of our clients to have all internal processes managed under one umbrella, we have developed into a proactive consultancy and outsourcing partner who bridges the gap between needs and solutions, by combining smart and streamlined technology with a holistic approach. Today, we offer accounting, reporting, payroll, HR administration services, tax and corporate advisory and legal consultancy through an affiliated law firm. At international level, we are engaging over 800 specialists who have vast experience in handling small to large scale multi-country BPO projects for approximately 2,000 clients from various industries.