Ipswich Town managing directors Jonathan Symonds and Ian Milne insist their root and branch review of spending behind the scenes at the club is more than just a crude head count exercise.

During their first four months in post, the duo – long-term employees of owner Marcus Evans – have studied how every penny is being spent behind the scenes in the offices of Portman Road and Playford Road.

With a consultation process underway, there are set to be changes behind the scenes over the coming weeks as the club attempts to streamline its operations and make the business as efficient as possible ahead of new Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

Several departments – ranging from the ticket office to stadium security – are involved, with many roles set to change and some potential redundancies on the horizon as the club looks to maximise online activity.

There will be investment in certain areas too though, with a new marketing manager having been employed and several staff being added to the academy should the application for Category One status be accepted. There will also be a drive to improve the speed and variety of catering on a matchday, the bar areas for fans to drink in after a game, as well as a focus on the Junior Blues club.

“Financial Fair Play is coming in and we want every penny we bring in or save to go on the field,” said Milne, who has already said that manager Mick McCarthy is prepared to work on a limited transfer budget this summer.

“The player salaries unfortunately don’t go down, manager salaries don’t go down. Where we can peg staff costs we will. We’re looking at every budget in the club and seeing where we can save money and do things differently.

“The club is by no means profligate and this has not been us coming in to do a massive head count. We’re just looking at things with fresh eyes.”

With new FFP rules limiting the amount that clubs can rely on the investment of owners, punishments – including transfer embargoes – will be bestowed upon those who do not work towards a break even model. The idea is to stop clubs spending beyond their means and risking administration.

Symonds added: “It’s our job to look at things from a holistic view and make sure all the pieces of the jigsaw come together. There are some big decisions to make, but we understand that in business it’s not all smiles.”