Quant Solutions

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner of Sarah Colt Productions, a company focused on documentary filmmaking. Since 2008, we've produced documentaries for public television, primarily PBS, as well as for private clients. Our work involves managing multiple projects and contracts in the nonfiction film industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Quant Solutions?

After moving to New York City in late 2014, we needed someone local to handle my production accounting and bookkeeping. Previously, we worked with someone based in Massachusetts, but I wanted a New York-based partner who understood the unique needs of documentary film production, which often operates similarly to a nonprofit in terms of finances.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Quant Solutions, led by Jeanine, oversees our accounting and bookkeeping needs. Since we're a project-based company and most of our income is related to a specific project and contract, the team pays my bills, tracks budgets for each project, assists in writing budgets and making cost estimates, and handles all coding for expenses.

Quant Solutions ensures that all spending is tracked correctly and coded to the correct project, and they provide regular updates and reconciliations. Depending on our team's needs, we use from five to 10 credit cards. Quant Solutions handles the project's coding and expenses.

Our producer is in charge of the day-to-day of the budget, ensuring they don't overspend. Later, Jeanine and their team check the budget monthly. The producer and Quant Solutions ensure they add all the additional spending, going from estimated numbers to actual numbers. Actual numbers are sent back to the producer, who checks those. Then, they share that information with me.

Quant Solutions uses QuickBooks for our project.

What is the team composition?

We work directly with Janine, who manages the overall relationship and strategy, and there is always at least one other team member from Quant Solutions who handles the day-to-day bookkeeping and coding, and in the event of a crisis, we contact Jeanine. Currently, Jessica is our primary contact for these tasks, and previously, there was another team member in this role.

How did you come to work with Quant Solutions?

We interviewed several people, but I found Janine and Quant Solutions through word of mouth. She came highly recommended, particularly because of her background in nonprofits and the arts, which aligns well with the financial realities of documentary filmmaking.

How much have you invested with them?

We've invested between $200,000 and $1,000,000 in their services since our partnership began in 2016.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in June 2016, and it has been an ongoing partnership. We continue to work together weekly, managing all my projects' accounting needs.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Quant Solutions has become a crucial partner in our business, supporting every project by keeping us on track with spending and accounting. Their involvement allows us to focus on producing films, knowing that the financial side is managed efficiently and accurately.

Quant Solutions helps us keep our company going and make good decisions about what projects should be the priority and how we juggle multiple projects and clients at a time.

How did Quant Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

Quant Solutions consistently stays on budget and delivers work on time. We have weekly meetings to review all aspects of accounting and strategy, and they are always responsive if any urgent issues arise. We used to meet in person, but after the COVID-19 pandemic, we became more comfortable with virtual meetings.

We review the details of staffing, billing, invoicing, and production-related stuff weekly, and our strategy.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their attention to detail and reliability have been outstanding throughout our partnership. Our positive working relationship and the systems we've developed together are essential to the success of my company.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have not identified any areas for improvement. They're doing a great job and fully meet my needs.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the COO of Shaker & Spoon

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

e-commerce and manufacturing--developed and produced cocktail kits and shipped them across the US

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Quant Solutions to accomplish?

• Keep our books
• Help create processes throughout the company to allow the keeping of clean books
• Help us analyze our financials and strategize for growth and profitability

SOLUTION

How did you find Quant Solutions?

Referral

Why did you select Quant Solutions over others?

• Referred to me
• Company values aligned
• Was helpful from the outset and was glad to explain things in a way that made sense

How many teammates from Quant Solutions were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Kept our books very clean and organized, with a variety of revenue streams and an ever-changing inventory and SKU catalog. Liaised with accountants for tax filing purposes. Analyzed our finances with us on a regular basis and helped us strategize ways to grow and create value given monetary constraints. Helped create systems throughout our company to allow books to be kept and taught us an awful lot about business finances and how they plug in to the rest of operations. Fully handled Accounts Payable and helped with other data entry and back office tasks on an as-needed basis.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Books were always clean and financials were always available when needed.

Quant Solutions personel were always available to help when needed, turnaround time was quick.

Strategy sessions over the years were imperative for the business's operations.

Learned an incredible amount from Quant staff over the years.

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

They did deliver items on time. They were collaborative and always willing to help, figured out solutions as needs arose. Willing to go the extra mile to get us where we needed to go.

What was your primary form of communication with Quant Solutions?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

The level of support was always what we needed, they were willing to work with us and our changing needs--very flexible but also always there for us. They were just truly good people, and it showed in every aspect of the relationship.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Quant Solutions could have done differently?

There were times when communication could have been better, but we were always able to work through it and come to an understanding once communication was restored and things were talked through more thoroughly.