F&M

Basic Information

Stock Code
4771
Industry
Service Industry
Category Detail
Professional Services for Businesses
Prefecture
Osaka Prefecture
Establishment Year
July 1990
Listing Year
July 2000
Official Website
https://www.fmltd.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
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Overview

F&M is a management support services company for small and medium-sized enterprises headquartered in Osaka Prefecture, founded in 1990, specializing in bookkeeping agency services and a la carte cloud software.

Current Situation

F&M recorded consolidated sales of approximately 12.7 billion yen and operating profit of approximately 2.6 billion yen in the fiscal year ended March 2023, achieving stable growth. Centered on its flagship accounting and HR/labor management cloud software 'Office Station' series, it offers bookkeeping agency and consulting services for SMEs. It expands its customer base through diverse services such as ISO certification support and subsidy assistance. Headquartered in Osaka, it has branches in Tokyo, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Sendai, and Okinawa, establishing a wide-area customer support network. It is also strengthening SME support through collaboration with MUFG Bank. Financials are solid with a high equity ratio. It provides support for social insurance labor consultant offices and accounting firms, with its high expertise as a source of competitiveness. Moving forward, it aims to expand its business through DX promotion support and cloud service enhancements, capturing the needs for efficiency in SMEs' management departments and focusing on sustained growth.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Initially started with a flower gift business for life insurance sales staff
  • First general company to obtain permission for credit union agency business nationwide
  • A la carte HR/labor cloud software features high flexibility
  • Operates PC schools mainly in the Kansai area for community-based education
  • Has an employee stock ownership association to promote employee involvement in management
  • Established a support model fusing finance and IT through partnership with MUFG Bank
  • Strong in ISO acquisition support with capability for diverse qualifications
  • In 2022, transitioned from Tokyo JASDAQ Standard to Standard Market
  • Has multiple regional branches providing support to SMEs nationwide
  • Prior to name change, founded as 'Flower Message Co., Ltd.'

Hidden Connections

  • Built unique collaboration system with financial institutions through credit union agency permission
  • Strong ties with legal and internal control industries via ISO/P-Mark certification support
  • Ongoing collaboration with social insurance labor consultant offices due to HR/labor cloud adoption
  • PC school operations contribute to improving regional IT literacy and corporate talent development
  • Initial flower gift business experience contributes to service diversity
  • Parent-like Morinak Holdings LLC supports the management foundation
  • Leverages MUFG Bank's vast network to strengthen SME support
  • Guarantees public credibility for SME support through management innovation certification

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expanding DX promotion needs among SMEs
  • Increasing adoption of cloud services
  • Customer base expansion through strengthened financial institution collaborations
  • Rising service demand from legal revisions
  • Deepening expertise in HR/labor and subsidy support areas
  • Ongoing reinforcement of community-based services
  • Expansion of education business such as PC schools

Strategic Goals

  • Expand service share in domestic SME support market
  • Surpass 50,000 customers for cloud software
  • Deepen collaboration with MUFG Group to create synergies
  • Strengthen environmentally considerate operations and achieve CO2 reductions
  • Improve employee satisfaction and maintain talent retention rate above 90%

Business Segments

Management Department Support for SMEs

Overview
Comprehensive services to support efficiency in accounting and HR/labor management for SMEs.
Competitiveness
Comprehensive support system through a rich lineup of services
Customers
  • SME owners
  • Accounting staff
  • HR staff
  • Accounting firms
  • Social insurance labor consultant offices
Products
  • Bookkeeping agency services
  • HR and labor management cloud software
  • Subsidy application support
  • Management consulting

Consulting Business

Overview
Specialized consulting services to solve corporate management challenges.
Competitiveness
Reliability from certification as a management innovation support organization
Customers
  • SME owners
  • Management layer
  • Startups
Products
  • Management innovation support
  • ISO acquisition support
  • Subsidy and grant support

Real Estate Leasing Business

Overview
Leasing and management of company-owned buildings and other real estate.
Competitiveness
Stable self-use and leasing operations of headquarters properties
Customers
  • Office-using companies
  • Tenant companies
  • Real estate management companies
Products
  • Osaka F&M Building Leasing
  • Osaka Park Front Building Management

HR and Labor Management Cloud Service Provision

Overview
Platform business promoting cloud transformation of HR and labor management operations.
Competitiveness
High customizability with a la carte model
Customers
  • Social insurance labor consultant offices
  • SMEs
  • Accounting firms
Products
  • Office Station series

PC School Operations

Overview
Classroom business aimed at improving IT skills.
Competitiveness
Community-based education services
Customers
  • Seniors
  • Working adults
  • Students
Products
  • PC Basics Courses
  • Business Skills Courses

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Extensive track record in specialized services for SMEs
  • Possesses multifunctional HR and labor management cloud software
  • Solid management base centered in Osaka
  • High-expertise consulting framework
  • Reliable support system linked with banks
  • Nationwide coverage through extensive branch network
  • Stable revenue structure and strong financial base
  • One-stop provision possible with diverse services
  • Certified as management innovation support organization
  • Customer touchpoints via PC schools

Competitive Advantages

  • Responds to flexible customer needs with a la carte cloud services
  • Supports business efficiency with services specialized for SMEs
  • Enhances reliability and customer network through collaboration with MUFG Bank
  • Strength in specialized consulting such as ISO certification support
  • Can provide diverse customer support services consistently in-house
  • Realizes nationwide service provision including local bases
  • Creates added value through tax and subsidy support services
  • Ensures stable management with employee stock ownership and major shareholder support
  • Provides dedicated support services for social insurance consultants and accounting firms
  • Accumulated know-how across diverse business areas

Threats

  • Impact from economic fluctuations in the SME sector
  • Risk of entry by major IT firms into cloud services
  • Impact from changes in financial institutions' support policies
  • Rising operational costs due to intensifying talent acquisition competition
  • Increased service adaptation burden from legal revisions
  • Introduction of new management support technologies by competitors
  • System failures and information security risks
  • Decline in SME demand due to sudden social changes

Innovations

2023: Collaboration with MUFG Bank Begins

Overview
Launched joint business to strengthen SME support.
Impact
Contributes to customer base expansion and improved trust

2022: Office Station Functionality Expansion

Overview
Added attendance management and year-end adjustment functions to HR/labor cloud service.
Impact
Achieved improved customer satisfaction and increased orders

2021: Enhanced ISO Certification Support Services

Overview
Built consulting services compatible with new ISO standards.
Impact
Enables response to a wide range of customer needs

2020: Bookkeeping Agency Efficiency via Digitalization

Overview
Implemented RPA in bookkeeping operations to reduce working hours.
Impact
Achieved 30% improvement in operational efficiency and cost reductions

Sustainability

  • Promoting initiatives to improve employees' work-life balance
  • Optimizing cloud services for energy-saving design
  • Expanding remote work systems to reduce CO2 emissions
  • Active contributions to local communities and educational support activities
  • Enhancing information security to improve customer trust