When a Routine Backfill Uncovered a Deeper Accounting Risk
Featured Case Study #899
The Client’s Challenge
A Pittsburgh-based client initially contacted Pinnacle for temporary coverage tied to a short maternity leave in Accounts Payable. While the request appeared simple, their team was also navigating a new system rollout, shifting responsibilities, and upcoming reporting deadlines.
On paper, the gap sat in AP.
In practice, the pressure was building higher up the accounting function and the system transition was about to expose it.
Our Solution
Instead of immediately deploying an AP contractor, we paused and walked through the realities of their workflow:
How close they were to month-end
What the system change was influencing
Where things could break if they lost any more bandwidth
That conversation revealed the real risk wasn’t transactional processing, but it was oversight, accuracy, and continuity during a period of change.
Pinnacle recommended elevating the solution: a seasoned accounting & finance consultant capable of owning close activities, navigating system inconsistencies, and supporting several adjacent processes that would otherwise fall behind. The client extended the engagement to 3–6 months to stabilize operations across the department.
The Impact
Once deployed, the consultant strengthened more than just the AP workflow. They:
Took ownership of month-end close and reconciliations
Resolved issues tied to the system implementation
Supported the AP team to ensure the leave created zero slowdown
Introduced structure that improved reporting quality moving forward
What began as a small vacancy became an opportunity to reinforce the entire accounting function. Leadership later shared that the engagement prevented missed deadlines and reduced stress on the internal team during a demanding transition.
Conclusion
This project highlights how Pinnacle approaches every request with a strategic lens. Instead of filling the first vacancy presented, we focus on understanding the broader picture, such as what’s happening now, what’s changing, and what could be impacted if the wrong gap is addressed.
By reframing a short-term need into a forward-looking solution, the client gained stability during a complex period and a clearer path heading into year-end.