Frequently Asked Questions

When/why should I use an outsourced Certified Management Accountant Professional?

There are several reasons to use an outsourced Certified Management Accountant at your organization. Perhaps the most common reason is for organizations that don't have the need for a full-time CFO or Controller or it isn't cost effective to employ one directly. Lastly, your organization could benefit from a Management Accountant who can recommend and implement improved policies, procedures, systems, reporting and analysis.

How do your engagements fit within our organization?

At Ron Williams Partners, LLP we offer retainer and project based engagements, each of which is custom tailored to your organization. Retainer Based engagements are for companies that require monthly oversight in the form of an outsourced CFO or Controller. A scope of work and responsibilities is developed along with monthly deliverables, improvement initiatives and annual goals. This is a long term relationship engagement similar to one that you may have with an outside counsel. These engagements are billed monthly at an all-inclusive rate.

Project Based engagements are project or task specific such as creating a business plan, budget, process improvement, internal control assessment and audit assistance. On these engagements we work with the employees involved in the process or procedure after a set statement of work is agreed upon. A project plan is developed and updated throughout the process with specific deliverables and updates provided at specific intervals. These engagements are billed hourly or for one flat fee.

Do you work at our office or offsite?

The answer is both. All work involving your records, financial data, etc. will be done at your office so your records will not leave your office unless otherwise commissioned. It may be required for the success of the engagement that we be onsite at your office on a regular basis. The amount of time varies by engagement but is agreed to prior to the start of the engagement.

Do you charge for the initial consultation and what happens at that meeting?

We do not charge for the initial consultation or e-mails and correspondence relating to the potential engagement. The initial consultation, e-mails and potential follow-up is used to define the scope of work to be performed, our responsibilities and the deliverables you can expect. We also want to make sure that Ron Williams Partners, LLP is a "good fit" for you and your organization. We do not work with all organizations that approach us for our services if we feel we can't provide a benefit to them.

Will I lose control of my books and records?

Absolutely not! You will actually have increased control as the accuracy of your books and records will be greatly improved and the data from which you make decisions will be more meaningful. Your books and reports will become a true management tool. We do not recommend changes without first reviewing the impact with appropriate personnel and defining the new process.

What agreements are signed?

Once the scope of work and rate is agreed to, your organization and Ron Williams Partners, LLP will sign a consulting agreement. For retainer-based engagements this is a one-year agreement that you can cancel with thirty days notice. For project-based agreements, the agreement covers the anticipated timeline and deliverables for the engagement. In addition, we will sign a non-disclosure and confidentiality agreement so all information regarding your organization remains confidential and is protected.

Who will be working on my engagement?

The Managing Director at Ron Williams Partners, LLP is Ron Williams and he oversees all engagements. For most engagements, Ron Williams will be the lead or in other cases assign the engagement to another partner. For need based projects, Ron Williams Partners, LLP may bring in other consultants but your organization will approve all personnel assigned to your engagement beforehand.

What makes you different from a temporary agency?

We are much more flexible and base our engagements on building and maintaining a personal and professional relationship with the organizations that we work with. We are able to schedule and work around the schedules of you and your employees, not necessarily following a fixed day(s) or time schedule. Further, you are working and scheduling directly with your assigned partner and not a manager that is off-site.

If we hire Ron Williams Partners, LLP, what is our commitment?

1) In addition to the agreements noted here you would commit to the following:

2) Access to needed personnel – We work around schedules as needed.

3) Access to computer systems – We will need access to your accounting system and potentially other systems on your network but with proper controls in place. 

4) In certain cases a place to work at your location.

What do you charge?

I am sure we are not the only firm you will be looking at and for most their rates are not published. At Ron Williams Partners, LLP we are different and believe in transparency. We believe your time is valuable and do not want to take up your time with meetings when your budget will not support the services we offer. When pricing, we look at the anticipated commitment we will need to make so there are no additional charges or surprises for you during the engagement.



Questions or concerns?

Call us at 248.702.1474 or use our contact form.

Home