Problem: As we are trying to plan for our organization’s long term future, how much money will we need to invest today to be able to fund x amount of our operations ten, twenty and thirty years from now?
Solution: Using the organization’s financial projections and assumptions on the long-term growth of the economy, RubinBrown developed a series of plans which reflected potential future outcomes for the organization. This plan provided reliable information to the Board, which they could use to prioritize projects depending on the timing and amount of income received. As a result, the Board could draw from its endowment and understand the impact such uses of funds would have on the future financial condition of the organization.
Problem: We need to accumulate payroll and demographic data from various locations in order to validate the accuracy of that information prior to submitting it to a third-party payroll provider.
Solution: RubinBrown developed an access database that met the reporting needs of the organization. After development of the database, RubinBrown trained staff on how to use the database, providing them with a tool that could automate a process that otherwise would have taken an extensive amount of time and exposed the organization to human error.
Problem: We would like to assess our internal control structure to determine where our risks lie and determine if there are any changes we can make to individual responsibilities to better segregate our employee responsibilities.
Solution: RubinBrown conducted interviews of staff to determine each individual’s role in the finance department as well as the daily procedures they perform when processing cash receipts, cash disbursements, and account reconciliations. After developing an understanding of the entity’s current practices, RubinBrown utilized its extensive experience to recommend simple solutions to close holes in the processes that might expose the organization to error or misappropriation of assets.
Problem: We are going to be losing our current grant funding sources in two years and need to have historical data to be able to successfully apply for new grants. How can we track and measure our outcomes in a way that will allow us to pull the information needed for different grant applications?
Solution: RubinBrown was able to assist this organization by identifying the key outcomes that are critical to their ongoing success and developing a method of rating those outcomes and accumulating them. Once that process was in place, RubinBrown used data analysis to quantify the outcomes and present the data in a way that provided meaningful results.
Problem: Due to a number of pending retirements, our organization would like to analyze if our management structure is designed appropriately as well as determine if we have the talent within our organization to promote from within rather than hire from the outside.
Solution: RubinBrown developed an understanding of the current management structure and how each position played a role in the overall objectives of the organization. After the structure was assessed, RubinBrown gained an understanding of each role required in the management team and began interviews of existing staff to determine if any possessed the skill set required to lead the organization in achieving its long and short-term goals.
Problem: We are a small operation that is growing very quickly. Because of the sudden increase in volume, we would like to have policies and procedures in place to streamline our business and give our accounting department clear procedures to follow on a day-to-day basis.
Solution: After understanding the resources this organization had at their disposal, RubinBrown drafted an accounting policies and procedures manual outlining key controls over cash receipts and disbursements and account reconciliations. RubinBrown also included best practices and recommended policies to help protect both the organization and employees from potential risk.
Problem: Our organization receives a large amount of regulated funding. Because we utilize many third parties to help achieve the grant objectives, we need assistance in determining the third parties are complying with the regulations imposed by the grant.
Solution: RubinBrown performed consulting services in relation to the controls governing the retention and payment of the organization’s contractors/consultants. The procedures were designed to assess the accuracy and completeness of amounts paid to selected contractors and review contracts executed between contractors and the organization. In addition, we documented the practices employed by the organization regarding the retention and payment of contractors/consultants and provided recommendations for internal controls and best practices within the industry.