Diener & Associates

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the COO/CTO of Vista LifeSciences, Inc.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We design and build lightweight mobile healthcare software solutions that operate anywhere including extreme-rural geographies. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Diener & Associates to accomplish?

• Knowledge of US federal government accounting
• Flexibility for solving small business fluctuations and needs
• To outsource as much accounting workload as possible with a trusted partner

SOLUTION

How did you find Diener & Associates?

• Online Search
• Interview

Why did you select Diener & Associates over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Diener & Associates were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

From the start of a multi-year $6.5M global project for the US Navy Advanced Medical Research, Diener has helped Vista LifeSciences:  (1) select and transition to a new bank that understands federal projects and funding and US government payment processes; (2) establish appropriate pricing and accounting for this and other projects for the US Department of Defense; (3) provide monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting on our Navy project and other concurrent projects; (4) provide appropriate justification for bank loans to support project subcontractors in Europe and Africa; (5) adapt a strategic view for our projects and products to support business growth strategies; and (6) with business and C-level tax strategies.  

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Excellent performance reviews from our Navy sponsor.

Exceptional performance reviews from our Army sponsor.

All questions regarding project accounting, invoicing, and budgets for all years answered to complete satisfaction of the Department of Defense (nearly $13M in project funding over 4 years).

Seamless accounts receivables and payables including over $3M in payments to overseas subcontractors.

Continued support from our banking partners.

Improved cash flow for our business.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Reliable preparation of invoicing for major projects;

Timely monthly accounting and financial reports;

Timely support for accounting and financials on an as-needed basis;

Seamless accounting support for payroll and payables.

What was your primary form of communication with Diener & Associates?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

One-stop shopping for most of my accounting needs. If Diener does not provide a particular service, Diener facilitates finding the services I need. 

Personal service. Our owners-partners get hands-on personal attention from Ms. Staci Martineau. Her expertise, confidence, and professionalism is unparalleled in our decades of C-level experience. Staci is like our CFO. Our next level needs for accounting support are provided seamlessly, but with names and emails and a personal touch, always. From Jill Salo to Emily Diener and her department, to other experts who hand-hold when necessary while quietly and professionally support every accounting (and other) needs. And the few moments something is missed or needed, Ms. Martineau takes charge and ensures our needs are met.

Professionalism. Nothing speaks for our company's strength better than the professionalism of Ms. Martineau, Ms. Diener, and Salo.  When our CEO or COO needs our accounting-finance specialist to come to our aid or a meeting with our bank or major customer, Ms. Martineau joins our calls. Sometimes makes them for us. When the COO needs assistance for our managers, Ms. Diener and team and Ms. Salo are there to provide professional guidance. 

Finally, trust. Our owner-partners, the CEO and COO, trust Diener completely. We have had long partnerships with a handful of businesses that we can truly call partners. For finance and accounting services, trust is paramount.  

Are there any areas for improvement or something Diener & Associates could have done differently?

Specifically, yes, there are some services that I might wish they could provide. But reasonably, "no",  because it would be risky for any small business to totally outsource all "accounting and financial" duties.  As much as I might like less involvement personally, the amount of services are appropriate. If my company did not write any checks, approve payroll and invoice payments, etc. etc., it would lead to apathy a major pillar of any company's success.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Co-Founder & COO of Strategic Sight Consulting

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Provide technical services to the government.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Diener & Associates to accomplish?

• DCAA compliant accounting system
• Monthly financial review and accounting system maintenance
• Tax planning

SOLUTION

How did you find Diener & Associates?

Online Search

Why did you select Diener & Associates over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit

How many teammates from Diener & Associates were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

 Implement updates to our Quickbooks systems for DCAA compliance. Perform monthly maintenance and review our quickbooks accounting system. Provide monthly financial review meetings to assist with interpreting our financial performance. Provide financial best practices.  Review past tax filings and submit amendments.  Provide tax planning and preparation services.  

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Compliant accounting system. 

Tax savings.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Deiner provided timely responses to emails and requests for information or assistance. The team delivered a compliant system within two months and updates our system monthly so we remain compliant. The team also turned around the tax amendment within two months.

What was your primary form of communication with Diener & Associates?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their people are very knowledgeable, and they go above and beyond to make sure we have everything we need to be successful. This includes sound advice and introductions to other partners and events that are beneficial to our line of work.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Diener & Associates could have done differently?

None at this time.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am an executive at Innovate! Inc.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a certified woman and minority-owned consulting firm delivering state-of-the-art services and solutions to Federal, State, Tribal, and local government clients

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Diener & Associates to accomplish?

• Provide oversight
• Maintain compliance
• Provide expertise on special projects

SOLUTION

How did you find Diener & Associates?

• Online Search
• Referral

Why did you select Diener & Associates over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Diener & Associates were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Monthly management of all financial activities. Reporting out summaries to the executive team. Advising regarding tax planning and other areas of finances unique to goverment contracting.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Our financial divsion is streamlined in a way that we reduced 1.5 FTE's in this area of our business.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

They are professional, quick to respond, and willing to walk us through new issues step-by-step.

What was your primary form of communication with Diener & Associates?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their culture and our culture are a natural fit. We tend to think of them as part of our team vs another organization serving our team.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Diener & Associates could have done differently?

Anything we needed faster/better/different along the way was talked through and worked out between us. They have been nothing but responsive to our needs.