Case Study›Restaurant Industry

Scaling Operations with Strategic Financial Support: Triangle Coffee’s Partnership With Scrubbed

How a fast-growing specialty coffee brand offloaded financial complexity and found room to focus on what they do best.

UHY is a leading CPA firm with over 40 offices in the U.S. and a presence in more than 100 countries through their global network of firms, UHY International. As the firm set its sights on growing the audit practice, they recognized the need for an alternative solution that would allow them to pursue their growth initiatives, continue delivering exceptional client service, and uphold their ‘People First’ philosophy to retain their outstanding staff.

UHY turned to Scrubbed for a reliable outsourcing solution. For almost three years, Scrubbed has helped UHY build capacity without compromising service quality and delivery.

The Challenge

Staffing Constraints Create Barriers to Scaling Audit Services

According to Stacey Massa, Mid-West Attest Leader and Partner at UHY's St. Louis, Missouri office, "Similar to others in our industry, the firm experienced challenges in expanding resources necessary to support our growth initiative," she says.

"We had to look for other resources that would allow us to expand our services, meet tight deadlines, and focus on the retention and well-being of our staff." At that point, UHY started to look into outsourcing as a potential solution.

The Partnership

Leveraging Scrubbed’s Audit Expertise

UHY partnered with Scrubbed’s audit team after exploring various options. The impact was immediate. "Partnering with experienced professionals at Scrubbed has allowed us to expand our capacity to issue audited financial statements within tight deadlines," says Stacey.

"Having additional resources has allowed us to meet client deadlines without compromising the quality of our work. Having the right support in place has helped reduce burnout and improve staff retention, giving our people the breathing room they need to do their best work."

Stacey Massa

Partner, UHY LLP / Managing Director, UHY Advisors

The Results

Key Benefits of the Partnership

Increased Efficiency & Scalability

"We can scale our workforce up or down depending on the demands of our workload," Stacey says. "And, because we operate in different time zones, we can continue working around the clock. Clients can upload information in the afternoon, and our Scrubbed team members can access it when they start their day—so by the time our clients start their morning, we already have questions ready. We've been able to provide a significant increase in value to our clients through timely communication."

Strengthened Audit Quality

Scrubbed's team have experience with U.S. and international accounting standards which they put to use in every client engagement. "The professionals we work with are highly qualified and experienced," Stacey says. "They bring a wealth of expertise to our team and strengthens the quality of our audits."

Improved Staff Retention and Work-Life Balance

One of the most significant impacts has been on UHY's internal audit team. "With the help of our Scrubbed partnership, we have improved the retention of our audit staff," Stacey says. "Making sure that we are allocating resources strategically to maintain workload balance throughout the year has helped retain our staff and provide them with a great work-life balance."

Cost-Effective Audit Solutions

The partnership has allowed UHY to manage operational costs more efficiently. "Each year, we're required to implement new accounting and auditing standards, which naturally adds complexity and time to our processes," Stacey explains. "As a result, we're constantly seeking ways to improve efficiency and streamline our audit approach to help offset potential fee increases for our clients. Leveraging outsourced contractors has been an effective way to maintain competitive pricing while still delivering high-quality service—and that's been a significant advantage for us."

Sustainable Business Growth

With support from Scrubbed, UHY has achieved consistent annual growth of 10% in its audit practice. "We've always had ambitious growth strategies, so having the resources in place to both serve our existing clients and onboard new ones has been a tremendous advantage of our partnership with Scrubbed," says Stacey. "Knowing we have dependable support has given us the confidence to take on new opportunities and continue expanding the firm."

Why Scrubbed

Advice for Other CPA Firms Considering Outsourcing

Find a Partner That Aligns with Your Values

"Choose a partner like Scrubbed that aligns with your firm values and has a proven track record."

Start with a Pilot Program

"Start with a pilot program or project and take that opportunity to refine your communication and workflow. Make sure that you are using reliable project management tools."

Overcoming Misconceptions

"To ensure they feel included and informed, Scrubbed team members join internal department meetings so the team stays aligned and engaged."

A Scalable Partnership for Continued Growth

Building on the success of the audit collaboration—the firm is now exploring opportunities to integrate Scrubbed's services across additional departments. "Based on my positive experience on the audit side, I have introduced Scrubbed to our tax and advisory services teams," Stacey says. "Our goal is to expand their involvement across the firm."

At Scrubbed, we’re delighted to be part of UHY’s success and are looking forward to expanding our support for the in-house team and a growing client roster.

"Scrubbed is a trusted partner that delivers excellence, scalability, and peace of mind in our audit outsourcing. Partnering with Scrubbed and leveraging our expertise has helped UHY to strengthen its audit practice, create better work-life balance and retention for employees and positioned the firm for sustainable growth."

Stacey Massa

Partner, UHY LLP | Managing Director, UHY Advisors

Related Insights

Blogs

Exclusive Survey Insights 2024: Accounting Staffing Strategies Research with the Center for Accounting Transformation

We’re excited to share exclusive insights from our recent webinar on “Accounting Staffing Strategies Research,” hosted by Donny C. Shimamoto, CPA, CITP, CGMA, and Rizza De Guzman, CPA, Scrubbed PFSS Director.Scrubbed partnered with Donny C. Shimamoto ,the Center for Accounting Transformation to survey CPA firms and with Dr. Bryan Coleman leading the research. The aim was to understand the significant challenges posed by staffing shortages and the innovative strategies firms are employing to address them.Missed the webinar? Watch it here.Recap: Overcoming Staffing ChallengesIn today’s dynamic market, CPA firms encounter notable obstacles in acquiring qualified talent. Our webinar delved into these challenges head-on, highlighting:Shortage of Skilled Candidates: Finding skilled individuals can be a significant hurdle.Rising Salary and Benefit Costs: Offering competitive compensation packages is essential for attracting and retaining top talent.Increased Competition from Other Firms: Fierce competition among firms intensifies as they compete for the same pool of qualified professionals.The Power of Outsourcing with ScrubbedScrubbed offers a powerful solution to these staffing challenges through our outsourced accounting and finance services. Partnering with us can help you:Bridge Talent Gaps: Fill staffing gaps seamlessly and efficiently.Access a Wider Talent Pool: Tap into a diverse network of qualified professionals with experience in key areas such as risk and SOX compliance , and corporate finance advisory.Free Up Internal Resources: Empower your in-house team to focus on core business activities.Watch the On-Demand WebinarExciting news! We’ve made the recording of our webinar available for you to watch. Now you can revisit the valuable insights and information shared during the session at your convenienceWatch: Accounting Staffing Strategies Research

Scrubbed Announces New Promotions and Expansion of Its Leadership Team

Scrubbed has handpicked four stellar professionals to take the helm as directors, reinforcing their unwavering dedication to fueling success for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Masters in the fields of accounting, finance, and taxation, these new directors are poised to steer their clients toward groundbreaking accomplishments. This initiative is just the beginning as Scrubbed continues its vision of revolutionizing the industry, unlocking a bright future for the company and its clients.Michael John David after seven years with Scrubbed is now the Director of Real Estate Accounting Solutions and Clean Technology Industries. He has served in key roles at Scrubbed for seven years. His impressive credentials include Summa Cum Laude distinction, where he ranked as a top scorer in the 2015 CPA board exam, Certified Forensic Accountant (CrFA) license, and degrees in both Business Management and Mini-MBA from the International Business Management Institute in Berlin, Germany.Grateful for the opportunities and challenges that have shaped him both personally and professionally, MJ will continue to focus on the quality and consistency of his team’s work. Leveraging his team’s expertise in end-to-end accounting for US-based real estate and clean technology clients, ranging from startups to those with substantial investment portfolios, he is confident in delivering accurate and high-quality reports tailored to each client’s unique needs.With over 12 years of experience in the accounting industry, Arian David assumes the role of Director for the Distribution and Retail Sectors. Her extensive background in inventory management and cost accounting, along with her team’s significant contributions in implementing advanced inventory systems for clients, has streamlined manual processes and improved overall efficiency, effectively addressing the intricacies of these industries.Arian brings a decade-long track record to her position, having worked with EY Philippines and Singapore, where she honed her expertise in general accounting and auditing. She is determined to guide her team toward growth and success, she draws inspiration from the trajectory of Scrubbed.As the new Director of E-commerce and Family Office at Scrubbed, Denissa Ysabel Dizon – Ballos firmly believes in the enduring presence of e-commerce. In response to the rise of ESG, sustainability, and carbon reduction, her team is enthusiastic about fostering stronger relationships with clients through more frequent dialogues, addressing their evolving needs with standardized and efficient processes.Yss started her career with Grant Thornton doing audit work and moved on to Shell in its global shared services group. With over 13 years of experience in general accounting, financial report preparation, and accounting and auditing education, she has substantial experience in serving companies within the merchandise and retail sectors.With almost five years at Scrubbed and a total of 15 years in the industry, Gliezel David now holds the position of Director of the Technical Accounting Group. Her decade-long tenure as an external auditor laid the solid foundation for her career. As well as her stint as a methodology senior manager in one of the big four accounting firms in the Philippines.Armed with extensive knowledge of IFRS, US GAAP, and SOX/PCAOB reporting requirements, Glie and her team offer clients accurate accounting guidance and frameworks, providing tailored analyses for each client’s specific needs. Their technical accounting support helps businesses navigate complex reporting requirements with confidence. She aims to double her team’s workforce by next year to serve the broader clientele effectively.Scrubbed is hiring for a number of careers in accounting. Learn more about the Scrubbed team and how the organization fosters career growth. Visit Scrubbed.net/careers.

AICPA Helps Consolidate State Taxes Filing Relief

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants* (AICPA) is listing down series of recent developments by state regarding tax filings due to the effect of Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19).The portable document file released by the AICPA is an initiative meant to summarize state tax relief information as States are providing tax filing extension and other relief for individuals and businesses.Latest developments are updated periodically in the file. Click this State Tax Filing Guidance for Coronavirus Pandemic to access the document.