GCC Setup Playbook: How Global Capability Centers Are Saving 35–50% on Ops in 2025

When companies consider scaling their operations, the conversation often centres on hiring. But what if the smartest move isn’t focusing on the headcount, but rather on structure? That’s where Global Capability Centers come in, and that’s exactly what we will discuss in this GCC Setup playbook designed for finance leaders like you.

In 2025, GCCs or shared services have become a quiet force behind the operational efficiency of some of the fastest-growing companies across various industries, including tech, professional services, SaaS, and even private equity portfolio firms. GCCs are no longer just offshore cost-saving centers. They’re strategic, tech-enabled, and built for scale.

The concept is not limited to outsourcing. It’s extended to ownership, control, and performance, while still unlocking 35–50% cost savings compared to building large in-house teams across finance, operations, HR, and IT.

Let’s break down how it actually works in our detailed blog.

What Is a Global Capability Center (GCC) and Why You Need a GCC Setup Playbook

A GCC is a centralized offshore (or nearshore) operations hub that supports one or more functions of a parent company. Unlike traditional BPOs, GCCs are typically owned or directly managed by the business.

In 2025, modern GCCs operate as high-efficiency internal units handling:

• Finance & Accounting
• Human Resources & Payroll
• Procurement & Vendor Management
• Project Management Office (PMO)
• Data & BI Ops
• Legal & Compliance
• Tech/IT Support

Companies set up GCCs in regions with cost advantages and strong talent pools such as India, Eastern Europe, or Southeast Asia. But these aren’t call centers. These are fully integrated arms of the business, with standardized processes, aligned systems, and outcome-based accountability.

Why GCCs Are Gaining Ground in 2025?

The rise of GCCs isn’t just about cost anymore. It’s about control without compromise.

Here’s what’s driving the shift:

• Cost Pressure Without Efficiency Trade-offs

CFOs are under pressure to cut costs, but they can’t afford to slow down. GCCs reduce operating costs by 35–50% without compromising output quality or turnaround time.

• Talent Access at Scale

GCCs tap into high-skill labor markets for finance, tech, and ops roles. You’re not just hiring cheaper — you’re hiring better, faster, and more flexibly.

• Centralized Tech-Stack & Process Ownership

With a GCC, you can enforce standardization and automation. Unlike BPOs, you own the workflows, dashboards, and documentation.

• Better Governance, Lower Risk

When done right, GCCs allow full transparency into operations, giving leadership real-time visibility into performance, compliance, and controls.

• VC/PE Backed Efficiency

Private equity and venture-backed companies are increasingly establishing GCCs to enhance EBITDA margins without compromising growth.

Core Services Handled by a Modern Global Capability Center

Whether you’re a SaaS startup or a mid-market D2C brand, here’s what your GCC could manage:

• Finance & Accounting
  AP/AR, monthly closing, reconciliations, payroll, bookkeeping, FP&A, board reporting.
• Admin & HR Ops
  Recruitment coordination, onboarding, leave/attendance tracking, payroll processing.
• PMO (Project Management Office)
  Cross-department project tracking, reporting, and milestone alignment.
• Tech Ops
  Helpdesk, software provisioning, data backups, and infrastructure monitoring.
• Compliance & Risk
  Regulatory tracking, KYC/AML (for fintech), GDPR/data protection.
• Procurement
  Vendor evaluation, contract management, and cost rationalization.
• Center of Excellence (CoE)
  Dashboards, process automation pilots, internal knowledge hubs.

How Much Can You Really Save With a GCC?

The global market for Global Capability Centers (GCCs) was valued at approximately $128.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to surpass $300 billion by 2032.

Cost savings depend on how the GCC is structured, but real-world ranges show:

• 35–40% savings on finance functions
• 30–45% savings on HR and payroll
• Up to 50% savings on IT support and procurement

But it’s not just about reducing spend. GCCs also drive predictable scalability. Need to double your finance ops? With a GCC, it’s structured, not chaotic.

GCC Setup vs. Outsourcing: What’s the Difference?

GCC Setup Playbook: What It Takes?

Setting up a GCC isn’t a plug-and-play exercise. It requires:

• Entity Structuring and Registration
• EoR/Payroll Compliance for local hires
• Vendor contracts (for office space, tech infra)
• Recruitment partnerships or staffing firms
• SOP Documentation for every process
• PMO for GCC management and SLAs
• Performance dashboards and reporting systems

At DNA Growth, we support clients through this entire lifecycle — from scoping and cost-benefit modeling to recruitment, payroll, risk, and ramp-up.

Do You Need This GCC Setup Playbook: When Should a Company Consider It?

• You’re scaling and in need of operational leverage
• You’re spending too much time firefighting internal workflows
• You’ve hit a headcount ceiling or cost bottleneck
• You’re post-Series A or PE-backed and need margin expansion
• You’re running multi-market ops and need centralized visibility

GCC Setup Playbook – Not a Cost, But a Strategy Play.

The companies that win in 2025 will be those that operate leanly but think big. So if you’re looking to scale without the chaos, cut costs without cutting quality, and build global operations that actually work, it might be time to explore a GCC.

Want to explore what a GCC could save and solve for your business?
Book a discovery call with a GCC Expert to see if it’s the right next step for your business.