Kulta-Ajan Kodit

When your partner knows your business and your people

Kulta-Ajan Kodit began with one family’s personal need for care. Since 1991, the business has grown to encompass several care homes, with Gallant supporting its financial administration through everyday operations and major changes. 

The story of Kulta-Ajan Kodit began when Jarmo and Pirjo-Riitta Mulari recognised a need for care among their own loved ones. At the time, there were still very few private care providers in Finland.

“It all started with our own family’s needs. There weren’t many private providers back then, so we were perhaps something of a pioneer in the early days of the sector,” says Mia Viljakainen, Chair of the Board at Jarmo R Mulari Oy.

The first care home opened in Valko, Loviisa, in 1991. Over the years, the business also expanded to Lapinjärvi. At its largest, Kulta-Ajan Kodit comprised five care homes, offering housing and care services to older people, people with memory disorders and people recovering from mental health or substance use problems.

The family has been involved from the very beginning. Jarmo and Pirjo-Riitta’s daughter Mia officially joined the business in 2002. Her responsibilities have included cash management and employee well-being, but spending time at the care homes has also been important to her.

“Employee well-being has always been close to my heart. I visited the homes every week to spend time with the staff and, of course, our dear residents. I’ve spent a lot of time with them,” Mia says.

A financial partner for everyday operations and change

Kulta-Ajan Kodit began working with Gallant when its long-standing financial partner sold its business to Gallant. According to Mia, the transition was smooth, and the partnership got off to a good start.

Gallant has supported Kulta-Ajan Kodit with accounting, payroll, sales invoicing and reporting, as well as financial questions and decision-making.

The care sector has changed over the years. Requirements have become more detailed, and the changes have also affected everyday financial administration. For example, the introduction of Finland’s wellbeing services counties brought new invoicing practices and different billing criteria.

“Invoicing has been quite challenging because each wellbeing services county has slightly different billing criteria. We’ve all had to learn: the counties, our team and the invoicing specialists. Together, we’ve developed ways of working,” Mia explains.

According to Mia, the partnership has made everyday financial administration smoother and helped develop reporting. When questions have arisen, solutions have been found together.

Familiar people make collaboration easier

When asked what has mattered most in the partnership, Mia points to the people.

“It’s very important to me that we’ve had reliable people who know our business. When there are several care homes involved and the dynamics of a family business in the background, it takes time to get to know the organisation.”

According to Mia, working with familiar specialists has been easy because they understand the business and its needs.

“Working with the specialists has been really good and easy. They’ve supported us so well, and it has made a big difference.”

Support through a major change

Financial expertise was also needed when Kulta-Ajan Kotien four care homes gained a new owner. Gallant’s specialists supported the business during the transaction, including with reporting and financial matters.

According to Mia, the transaction was a major process that involved a great deal of work. At the same time, everyday life in the care homes continued as usual.

“Through Gallant, we gained expertise for the transaction and help with reporting. I feel Gallant played a significant role, and we were able to move things forward really well.”

Looking back on the time spent working together, Mia is left with a positive feeling. There have also been challenges along the way, but they have been resolved together.

“I’m left with a really good, positive feeling about the partnership as a whole. It’s important to know the business and the people. That’s where it all starts.”