Clients praise Acuity Accounting for their strong communication using virtual meetings, emails, and messaging apps, which helps maintain clarity and alignment during project execution. The firm is acknowledged for its proactive stance in spotting areas for improvement and effectively implementing necessary changes, resulting in significant savings in both time and costs for their clients. Their reputation for punctuality and responsiveness is well noted by clients, who value the timely service delivery and quick answers to their inquiries, contributing to seamless project management. Clients are particularly impressed with Acuity Accounting’s ability to deliver prompt and insightful solutions for financial issues, demonstrating their expertise and dedication to client success. The team is characterized as helpful, reliable, and collaborative, working closely with clients to manage expectations and ensure accurate financial records. **BACKGROUND** I serve as the executive director of a national organ donation organization. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** We sought a new accounting partner after our previous one was inefficient and failed to provide the necessary guidance. **SOLUTION** Acuity Accounting is currently involved in managing our entire accounting and finance portfolio. They provide fractional CFO, controller, and bookkeeping services. We began with an initial kick-off meeting with Acuity’s team, which also included collaboration with another team member to integrate our various systems. We granted Acuity access to our bank, investment, and Amazon accounts. As expected, they identified opportunities for improvement, such as ensuring our website sales are processed through QuickBooks by linking with a third-party software. Over the past year, they have revamped our financial requirements and approval processes, implemented BILL, and switched payroll vendors. Acuity also updated our chart of accounts, redesigned our employee handbook to include new policies and PTO integration, and reached out to states where we hold events to secure sales tax exemptions. They discovered inaccuracies in our Forms W-2, including omissions in healthcare balances, reviewed our salary deductions, adjusted our credit cards, and assisted in transferring our investment account from Vanguard to JPMorgan Chase. Additionally, they conducted a thorough review of our insurance policies, including medical, cyber, umbrella, terrorism, crime, and liability coverage, and aided us in preparing for our 2022 audit while initiating preparations for our 2023 audit. **TEAM COMPOSITION** I’ve collaborated with four team members from Acuity Accounting. **INVESTMENT** Our investment with Acuity has been about $100,000, with the scope expanding as new needs were identified. **WORKING WITH ACUITY** We published a request for proposal for accounting firms in December 2022 after ending our previous engagement, and we started working with Acuity in January 2023. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** I have nothing but positive comments about Acuity Accounting. The team is excellent, proactive, and highly efficient. We are now a healthier organization than we were a year ago. Acuity has greatly streamlined our monthly financial reports and budgeting processes, contributing to a smoother annual audit. More importantly, the quality of their work is far superior to that of our prior vendor. They successfully integrated our website with QuickBooks, which required significant effort, helping eliminate many manual procedures. Acuity also established an effective monthly rollout process and assisted us in saving money through tax exemptions, including a recent $6,000 savings at an event in Texas resulting from reduced accounting fees. **PROJECT MANAGEMENT** We maintain an efficient schedule for meetings throughout the year with Acuity. I meet with the bookkeeper weekly for about 15 minutes on Fridays, and I review monthly reports with the controller. I engage with the CFO as needed for strategic decisions and major budget changes. Acuity consistently delivers work on time and within budget, proving flexible and collaborative through platforms like Google Docs and various communication methods, including email, text, and phone. **IMPRESSION** I’m particularly impressed with Acuity’s commitment to understanding our unique business needs as an organ donation organization. They thoroughly analyze our website and have evolved into a strong business partner rather than just an accounting service. **AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT** I can’t think of any areas for improvement. **ADVICE FOR FUTURE CLIENTS** I recommend partnering with Acuity Accounting as a true business collaborator, as they will rise to the occasion. **BACKGROUND** I am the COO and a business partner at Kanopi Studios. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** Our financial records were stored in PDFs, making it difficult to track our financial health. We initially engaged them to digitize our bookkeeping processes. **SOLUTION** Acuity imported all PDF records from 2016, manually entering the information to bring everything up to date and ensuring accuracy in categorization. It was a significant overhaul. Now, they handle all bookkeeping for our organizations in the US and Canada, as well as various bank and credit card accounts, and collaborate with our accountant for tax management. I work with one team member who focuses on keeping our bookkeeping and financial reports accurate and timely for tax purposes. They also facilitate receipt tagging and matching with our entries. **TEAM COMPOSITION** The main point of contact is Debi, our Cloud Accounting Specialist, supported by a different CFO quarterly for oversight. **INVESTMENT** We spend about $12,000 annually. **STATUS** We began working with them in January 2017, and our collaboration continues. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** Acuity’s work has profoundly impacted our business. We can now conduct financial forecasting thanks to their correct categorization and organization of our books, something we couldn't do before. This has improved our ability to assess business performance and manage expenditures. Our administrative workload has also decreased significantly as we no longer need to perform manual entries. **PROJECT MANAGEMENT** Although they typically use QuickBooks, we use Xero, which they adapted for this project. They are detail-oriented and maintain excellent communication, supporting additional services as needed and following up to ensure effectiveness. I connect with Debi frequently via email, and any tutorials or unfamiliar tasks are addressed through screen-sharing on Zoom. **IMPRESSION** I admire their proactive approach; they take ownership of tasks and are very responsive and trustworthy. They work collaboratively with our accountant, CEO, and other stakeholders to ensure proper bookkeeping setup. **AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT** I cannot suggest any improvements. **ADVICE FOR FUTURE CLIENTS** It's beneficial to meet with both your account manager and bookkeeper together to ensure everyone is aligned, especially since we operate in both Canada and the US with different currencies. **BACKGROUND** I am the Office Manager at Pettigrew Plumbing and HVAC, which specializes in plumbing, heating, and HVAC service and installation. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** We hired Acuity Accounting for annual tax returns and ongoing bookkeeping. **SOLUTION** I discovered Acuity through an online search and was referred to them by a colleague. Acuity handles all our ongoing bookkeeping, prepares monthly financial statements, and manages our tax returns. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** They demonstrate high professionalism and thoroughness in bookkeeping and preparing financial reports and tax returns. **PROJECT MANAGEMENT** Acuity is timely and responsive to our needs, providing excellent support whenever required. **PRIMARY COMMUNICATION** We primarily communicate through virtual meetings and email. **IMPRESSION** I am impressed by their expert quality of service and attentiveness to our business needs. **AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT** I have no critiques; they are exceptional! **BACKGROUND** I am the Finance Manager for a motion pictures and film company that focuses on event and video production. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** We engaged Acuity Accounting to ensure our monthly financial closeouts are accurate. **SOLUTION** I learned about Acuity through a referral, drawn by their high ratings and value for cost. We work with one team member on our project. **SCOPE OF WORK** Acuity handles our monthly closeouts. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** They are punctual and provide quick solutions. **PROJECT MANAGEMENT** Their timeliness and responsiveness have been excellent. **PRIMARY COMMUNICATION** We communicate primarily through virtual meetings and email. **IMPRESSION** I appreciate their willingness to answer questions and provide insightful solutions. **AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT** I would like to see more expertise in programs beyond QuickBooks and practical tips rather than just theoretical answers. **BACKGROUND** I am the Chief of Staff at a full-service event management company. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** Our goal was to secure bookkeeping and controller services through Acuity Accounting. **SOLUTION** I found Acuity through a referral. **TEAM COMPOSITION** We work with a team of 2-5 employees from Acuity. **SCOPE OF WORK** Acuity provides comprehensive accounting services, including tax planning and bookkeeping. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** Measurable outcomes are not directly applicable to this situation. **PROJECT MANAGEMENT** Acuity consistently delivers on time and is responsive to our requests. **PRIMARY COMMUNICATION** We communicate via virtual meetings and email. **IMPRESSION** I am impressed by their organization and meticulous attention to detail. **AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT** I have no suggested improvements. **BACKGROUND** I serve as the CFO of a consumer products company that specializes in pet supplements. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** I engaged Acuity to manage our accounting needs. **SOLUTION** We found Acuity through a referral, drawn by their high ratings and budget-friendly pricing. **TEAM COMPOSITION** 2-5 employees from Acuity have been involved in our project. **SCOPE OF WORK** They provide us with ongoing bookkeeping and accounting services. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** Our measurable outcome is monthly accounting, commonly referred to as “closing the books.” **PROJECT MANAGEMENT** There are no specific project tasks, but their regular services are timely. **PRIMARY COMMUNICATION** I primarily communicate with Acuity through virtual meetings. **IMPRESSION** Their team is excellent, delivering consistent and accurate work. **AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT** None; everything is satisfactory.