Mainebiz

V O L . X X V I I I N O. I JA N UA R Y 1 0 , 2 0 2 2 12 2 0 2 2 E C O N O M I C O U T L O O K F O C U S AC C O U N T I N G Outsourced accounting, nonprofit compliance to drive growth at BerryDunn B Y R E N E E C O R D E S S ix months after taking the reins of Maine's largest accounting firm, BerryDunn CEO Sarah Belliveau anticipates continued growth in 2022. e Portland-based firm, which was up to 711 employees at last count, offers accounting, assurance and consulting services to clients nationwide and over- seas. Consulting clients include hospi- tal health systems and universities. Anticipating a busy year, Belliveau expects further growth in the firm's health care and government practice areas as well as in outsourced accounting services to clients. "We're seeing a lot of opportunity in that market," she says. "With all the labor shortages and challenges, organi- zations are looking for creative and alter- native ways of filling accounting roles from part-time help to full-time back office." BerryDunn steps in either by supplementing what a company already has in place or providing an entire team. Internally, the tight labor market and the ongoing "Great Resignation" have prompted BerryDunn to think creatively about recruiting, which Belliveau views as an opportunity to tap a more diverse talent pool not limited by geography. "Such a significant percentage [around 35%] of our employees are home-based, so we're being pre-emp- tive about trying to access that talent," she says. "at's a big area of opportu- nity and focus." e firm's spacious new office at 2211 Congress St. is also a big hit, she says, noting that "our space was very much designed for work groups and collaboration." Another priority this year is "mak- ing sure we are being really creative and innovative in how we're performing our services for our clients and being as automated and innovative as we can be," Belliveau says. Rather than auditing a cli- ent only at year's end, for example, the aim is to spread that work out throughout the year and then "being a lot more thought- ful about when we have to be on site." Outside of managing the firm, Belliveau advises health care and non- profit clients, many of whom reached a "critical point" with staffing during the pandemic and received govern- ment relief funding. "With that comes a lot of compli- ance and regulatory oversight, so there's a lot of opportunity there to help clients make sure they're compliant." ADVERTISING / MARKETING Got grit? That's just part of what's needed to compete in today's consumer markets B y P e t e r V a n A l l e n T he past two years have been a master's class in how to collabo- rate, grow and adapt to change. Now Taja Dockendorf, owner and creative director of Pulp+Wire, a Portland advertising and marketing firm, says she's heading into the new year with a sense of anticipation. M uch of the business community is vaccinated, and companies of all sizes have adapted to nearly two years of restrictions, mask mandates, social distancing, remote work and curbside pickup. But predicting 2022 was no easy feat for the business leaders Mainebiz inter- viewed. While every business has had to adapt in the past two years, some have fared better than others. And so most we talked with are at once cautious but also aware that there's some pent-up demand for their goods and services. Traditional industries like the fisher- ies and retail will keep a close eye on shutdowns and mandates, while those with hospitality interests are anticipating crowds, but also restrictions. As one agency owner told us, compa- nies with "serious grit" have been the ones that have risen to the challenges. Overall, going into 2022, the outlook that may sum things up is, "We'll see." With COVID resurgence, a mix of optimism and caution With all the labor shortages and challenges, organizations are looking for creative and alternative ways of filling accounting roles from part-time help to full-time back office. — Sarah Belliveau BerryDunn P H O T O / J I M N E U G E R BerryDunn CEO Sarah Belliveau says the accounting firm's new headquarters at 2211 Congress St. in Portland is ideal for work groups and collaboration. Taja Dockendorf, owner and creative director of Pulp+Wire, a Portland advertising and marketing firm, says brands "with serious grit" can push through the challenges faced today. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F P U L P + W I R E

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