frontoffice

Front office is a term used in business to describe the parts of an organization that interact directly with customers, clients, or markets and are responsible for generating revenue and delivering services. It is typically contrasted with back office functions, which handle administration and operations, and with the middle office, which manages risk, finance, and compliance.

In finance and investment banking, the front office comprises sales, trading, and research that engage clients and execute deals. In corporate and consumer industries, it covers sales, marketing, product management, and frontline customer service. In hospitality and retail, the front office includes reception, concierge, and other guest-facing roles. In sports organizations, the front office refers to executives, scouts, and contract negotiators who shape strategy and rosters.

In IT contexts, front office systems are the customer-facing applications that support revenue activities, such as customer relationship management (CRM), help desks, and point-of-sale platforms. These tools are typically integrated with middle- and back-office systems to handle order processing, billing, and settlements.

Performance indicators for front office activities focus on revenue growth, client acquisition, sales effectiveness, and customer satisfaction, while maintaining regulatory compliance and coordination with risk and operations. Common challenges include balancing outstanding customer experience with efficiency, data integration across silos, and adapting to market or regulatory changes.