Empowering startup success: Baker Tilly Advantage drives growth and compliance for startup consulting firm

Client background

Our client, a newly launched firm specializing in consulting and business services, engaged with Baker Tilly and our Baker Tilly Advantage service platform for assistance in Tax compliance. As a small firm entering their first year of business, they recognized the need for outsourced support to sustain business operations until more personnel could be hired.

As a startup organization, this client’s main goal was growth — in employee count, client count and office locations. The founder currently operates with a small team and has specific needs around operational support, as well as legal and tax compliance regarding contractor agreements and broader business operations.

Baker Tilly service solution

Through their Baker Tilly Advantage engagement and implementation process, the client was paired with a client success manager (CSM). The CSM plays a pivotal role in relationship management, offering guidance throughout the business relationship and connecting the dots between Baker Tilly services and the client’s needs as they grow and evolve over time.

As part of Baker Tilly Advantage’s services, the client meets with their CSM on a regular basis to touch base and determine if there are any needs or issues that may have come up since their last touch base. This client chose to meet with their CSM every six weeks to proactively determine if any additional resources were needed to meet their goals. During one of these regularly scheduled touch bases, the client voiced their need for hiring resources, like new hire packets, confidentiality agreements and other general guidance documents.

The CSM was able to direct the client to our Advantage HR library, containing documents and resources that can be used and customized to the needs of the client. This library is especially useful for startups and small businesses and is a unique, complimentary resource for Baker Tilly Advantage clients. The CSM was also able to provide best practices for contractor payments.

When highly specialized questions or needs arise for the client, too, the CSM directs them to the Baker Tilly professional who can provide those services or answer that complex question. For example, when the client had questions about tax requirements, their CSM could direct them to a tax professional who was able to help. When accounting software questions arose, as well, the CSM was able to connect the client with an accounting and finance services professional.

Results

Access to the Advantage HR library was immediately put to good use by the client, addressing a key onboarding challenge. The regular check-ins have fostered a strong relationship between Baker Tilly and the client, especially having a point of contact to go to for general guidance and assistance in bringing the Advantage services on board. By bringing the Baker Tilly Advantage team on at the start, the client was able to set up their financial and tax systems in a compliant manner, mitigating potential vulnerabilities within their processes and procedures. This client is well positioned to expand services and grow, with their CSM ready to support them with our services as needs arise.