There comes a time in every business that management encounters a situation that feels like unfamiliar territory. That’s when the insight of a professional accounting advisor can come to the rescue. I know the feeling. As a former controller and CFO at a public company, I was in those shoes, so I can draw on the experience to not only address problems but anticipate them as well.

As times change, so has the role of the CPA. Today, as keeping ahead of workflow automation, data optimization, new technology, and compliance issues weigh heavy on every business owner’s mind, aligning with a CPA Business Advisor is becoming one of the most valuable strategies for a company’s growth and longevity. While CPAs wear many hats, providing triage may be one of the most valuable.

Who Ya Gonna Call?

Oftentimes, our first interaction with a client is when problems arise at their company.

We’ve encountered dozens of situations where an organization has already identified a problem and is in search of a solution. In other cases, they are feeling the painful symptoms of the issue, and our team is tapped to uncover the problem and solve it. In either case, we formulate the best team to collaborate, align services, and bring expertise with fresh eyes that can see the blind spots.

For instance, a production company that was overflowing with work realized that while business seemed great on the surface, they weren’t actually sure if the jobs they were accepting were profitable. They questioned if they were pricing them accurately to sustain the business. The solution was to bring in a fractional controller to help identify the true costs of jobs so proposals could accurately reflect the time and materials necessary. Going forward, when pricing proposals, they will now reflect the true cost of a job to ensure the correct margin for profitability.

In another case, a large wholesale food manufacturer was aware that they had been operating with an inefficient accounting system. They wanted to revamp their workflow and systems to enable the next generation of management to take the helm. We triaged the situation by automating workflow and updating the payroll process. We introduced a third-party platform to help handle accounts payables and expense reimbursements. The streamlined process addressed all the pain points and set the company up to easily scale.

In a perfect world, some of these situations could have been avoided if procedures, checks, and balances had been put into place from the beginning. But in the real world, issues can slide under the radar for years. CPA advisors can not only tackle the existing problems; they can identify those that are brewing. CPA Advisory services cover every aspect of a business, from strategy and operations to compliance and technology. In this manner, all facets of a business are aligned and working towards the company’s goals.

Getting Started

Companies of all sizes, from emerging to well-established firms, can benefit from CPA business advisory services, which can be provided for immediate short-term problem solving, or ongoing strategy. An engagement starts with asking the right questions then developing a roadmap with a clear vision that addresses an immediate issue or a strategy that aligns with your goals and specific market dynamics. An advisor will identify short-term fixes or sustainable growth opportunities and create actionable plans for long-term success. Ultimately, proactive guidance helps to streamline processes, optimize operations, improve efficiency, reduce costs, mitigate risk, and safeguard your business.

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Rick Stiebritz, CPA, serves as President and Managing Shareholder of Fischer Cunnane Certified Public Accountants & Consultants and has more than 30 years of experience serving as an active, client-facing partner on client engagements with public and private companies. With more than a dozen years of experience as a CFO for both a startup and a Fortune 500 company, Stiebritz understands what it’s like to be in his clients’ shoes. If you have questions regarding client advisory services, please contact Fischer Cunnane at 610-431-1003 or email Rick Stiebritz at [email protected]. Visit Fischer Cunnane for more information.