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Easterseals New Jersey
Advancing the mission through trust and technology
services engaged
Digital | Enterprise solutions | Digital strategy
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Our Impact
%
of funding secured with HITRUST certification
%
reduction in reporting cycle
%
reduction in budget cycle

Overview

Already a leader in disability and community-based services, Easterseals New Jersey made bold, strategic investments to prepare for evolving, heightened Medicaid and managed care requirements. With HITRUST certification, modernized financial infrastructure and enhanced data capabilities, the nonprofit is scaling whole person care and is positioned for long-term impact. Wipfli advanced Easterseals NJ’s vision with steady support, turning priorities into plans and measurable progress.
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The CHALLENGe
How could Easterseals NJ expand quality care services amid evolving regulatory requirements, stricter funding compliance processes and more complex care delivery? The forward-thinking nonprofit’s answer: modernize systems and operations to add greater flexibility, stability and room for innovation. It partnered with Wipfli to enhance systems, strengthen accounting and finance capabilities, demonstrate regulatory compliance and streamline operations.
Anytime I need something, my Wipfli team is there. We needed our accounting system in the cloud; they made it happen. We could not have gained HITRUST certification without them. They make lease accounting worry-free. I value our partnership with Wipfli. Their strategic guidance is key to our digital transformation success.
Aleisha Hart, Chief operating officer at Easter Seals NJ

The solution

HITRUST certification

Medicaid provides nearly two-thirds of Easterseals NJ’s funding. The funding process shifted to distribution from a Managed Care Organization (MCO) with a 1115 waiver, making it mission critical for the nonprofit to obtain HITRUST certification. Wipfli:

  • Designed a plan to provide proof that Easterseals NJ had the security measures to protect patient/client information.
  • Executed a HITRUST readiness assessment — a gap assessment that reviewed controls, identified weaknesses and determined needed remediations.
  • Guided the HITRUST certification assessment. It tested controls, requested evidence and prepared the final certification submission.

The results

Certified controls and outcomes for critical funding

With Wipfli, Easterseals NJ:

  • Achieved HITRUST certification.
  • Gained risk protection and outcome certification.
  • Fortified against the claw back of funds from the attorney general.
  • Reduced audit rework; controls are already documented and tested.

Easterseals NJ is the first nonprofit to achieve HIGHTRUST certification in its entire region. Not only does this have a monumental impact on Easterseals NJ and its clients, but the impact also ripples to network affiliates. These often smaller, less-resourced affiliates can leverage Easterseals NJ’s scale and compliance to survive and provide critical components of care.

NetSuite implementation

Easterseals NJ wanted a cloud-based ERP system to gain visibility across its financial operations, data and reporting.

Wipfli:

  • Provided a framework and guidance to evaluate and ultimately select NetSuite for its nonprofit financial management capabilities and advantages as a cloud- based system.
  • Implemented NetSuite, starting with top priorities, including AR, AP, purchasing, planning and subsequent budgeting modules.
  • Integrated process optimization, ongoing training and helpdesk support.
  • Developed a long-term roadmap aligned to Easterseals NJ’s goals to maximize its return on investment.

Connected, modernized systems

With Wipfli, Easterseals NJ:

  • Has a cloud-based accounting system with integrated connections, data visibility and processes that are both streamlined and automated.
  • Mitigated turnover impact with improved workflows.
  • Automated AP and AR processes.
  • Has the ability to scale more efficiently.
  • Met stricter MCO requirements with accurate, documented health outcomes.

Easterseals NJ is raising the bar on how it improves the quality of life of its clients with two groundbreaking initiatives. Its new ERP system supports creating a client portal and piloting whole person care with the addition of medical services.

Lease accounting outsourcing

Easterseals NJ’s leases were subject to complex and changing lease accounting standards. It wanted access to dedicated resources with deep experience to maintain adherence to lease accounting standards. Wipfli:

  • Applied specialized knowledge and monitoring intelligence.
  • Assessed lease data for proper classification.
  • Used proprietary lease software to generate journal entries for accurate financial reporting.
  • Prepared all required footnote disclosures.
  • Created capacity for internal accounting resources to refocus on other key priorities.

Accurate accounting for complex issues

With Wipfli’s support, Easterseals NJ:

  • Saved significant staff time by avoiding extensive internal training and software implementation.
  • Submitted accurate and timely lease accounting and disclosures.
  • Received the calculations of 140+ leases for each of the last two years.
  • Secured a dependable long-term partner for ongoing compliance and updates.

Easterseals NJ saved valuable time and gained peace of mind by utilizing Wipfli deep experience to address lease accounting standards and pass rigorous audits.

Planful implementation

Easterseals sought an automated, flexible budgeting system. Its current process stressed the capacity of the team and made it cumbersome to get needed budgeting information. Wipfli:

  • Evaluated the existing legacy Excel-based budgeting process.
  • Transitioned Easterseals NJ to Planful, a budgeting, forecasting and workforce planning platform.
  • Built a trackable approval process.
  • Customized reporting to support executive leadership.
  • Streamlined and modernized budgeting and forecasting processes.
  • Integrated Planful with NetSuite.
  • Created templates, automated approval workflows and more.

Predictive, automated budgeting

With Wipfli’s support, Easterseals NJ: ·

  • Achieved a 70% reduction in reporting cycle from 13 to four days.
  • Achieved a 67% reduction in budgeting cycle from six pressure-filled months to two efficient months.
  • Increased speed and accuracy for budgets, forecasts and actuals.
  • Gained scalable flexibility with accurate, real-time and expanded reporting capabilities.
  • Reduced budgeting process involvement from the entire 18-person accounting department to two people.

Easterseals NJ now has superior predictive budgeting. Building on its already strong foundation, it has the tools, technology and processes to generate refined insights, strengthen collaboration and support deeper analysis for faster, more informed decision-making.

 

Every day I see examples of people with disabilities not receiving the level of care the general population has access to. Easterseals NJ is committed to changing that. Wipfli supports us with the right experts to build the necessary systems and processes, so our consumers have the best outcomes possible.
Aleisha Hart, Chief operating officer at Easter Seals NJ

Services Engaged

Oracle NetSuite
NetSuite
Assurance services for nonprofits
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Regulatory risk and compliance
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