After initially tapping a retired CFO for crucial advice, MAREN invested in the accounting software Foundation and transitioned to a bookkeeper as it grew. But after the firm’s owners went months without getting the numbers needed to understand their financial position and make business decisions, they decided to look for a firm that could help streamline their operations and improve efficiency for the owners and their employees, as well as provide the valuable CFO-level advice they received previously.

After going nine months without full visibility of overall financials, MAREN was caught up for the entire year within just two months of working with Wipfli. Now the owners can compare financial numbers back to their budget and can plan for next year with confidence. With Wipfli, they know their numbers are accurate, their subcontractors are being paid in a timely manner and in the correct amounts, and their year-end close is going to be fast and smooth. Plus, they’ve gotten over a dozen hours back in their week to spend on growing their business.

After the Arc came to Wipfli seeking accounting system support for Microsoft Great Plains, it became clear the nonprofit needed a complete digital transformation.

• Its homegrown IT infrastructure wasn’t keeping up with its needs.
• None of its technology tied into its overall strategic plan.
• It experienced frequent outages that prevented employees from providing much-needed community services.
• Its security gaps left it vulnerable to attack.

With Power BI, the Arc can now understand service utilization against its budget — and it’s been a truly transformational change. In the past two years, it has been able to improve its utilization for community development services from 46% to 75% — a 63% increase. And revenue has increased 45% overall. Additionally, with its improved IT infrastructure, the Arc was able to move to remote work in one day once COVID-19 shutdowns began.

In a strategic move to level the playing field with public schools, Orange County Head Start, Inc. (OCHS) tapped Wipfli to perform a compensation analysis. Wipfli’s data-driven insights helped the agency identify solutions to bolster staff retention, enhance recruitment and offer more competitive wages — all of which will allow OCHS to improve enrollment and its ability to serve more children.

With a much clearer understanding of how its wages compare locally, OCHS is developing a more competitive compensation and benefits package to improve employee engagement, reduce turnover, bolster talent acquisition efforts and increase program enrollment. OCHS will also use the robust data and deliverables to strengthen grant applications and increase funding. The agency is empowered to confidently approach the Office of Head Start with data-driven numbers and advocate for the financial support necessary to sustain competitive wages through 2031, a key component of the NPRM.