Five Questions with: Susan A. Keller

"LeveragedSolutions is unique in how services are bundled, how they are delivered, to whom they are delivered, and by whom they are delivered."

Susan Keller is the managing director of LGC+D/LeveragedSolutions responsible for providing clients with resources and strategic advice in the areas of operations and strategy.

Keller has 25 years experience advising businesses and their owners, both as an attorney and business adviser through her professional and community activities. She is the co-founder of the Women’s Association of Venture and Equity, chapter chair of the Providence and Boston 1 Women Presidents’ Organization chapters and a member of the Board of Directors of the Center for Women & Enterprise.

Keller has a B.S. in Economics from Miami University and a J.D. from Case Western Reserve School of Law.

PBN: LeveragedSolutions is a nontraditional path for an accounting firm to take, how did the idea of LeveragedSolutions come about?
KELLER:
LGC+D recognized the market opportunity to expand the traditional CPA firm model and build on its existing services by providing enhanced service offerings through the creation of Leveraged Solutions. Our new service line focuses on providing companies with the opportunity to supplement their internal resources during periods of growth and/or change in a unique way. With companies looking to remain competitive, it is not always possible to hire the talent needed to fuel growth or adapt to changing market conditions. LeveragedSolutions has taken the traditional outsourced controller model one step further: by bringing a highly-skilled group of new and existing talent and a network of resources together to create opportunities to offer integrated business solutions to clients in the areas of operations, finance, information technology, human resources and marketing. This new service line supplements our firm’s traditional and non-traditional attest, tax and consulting services.

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PBN: What makes LeveragedSolutions unique?
KELLER:
LeveragedSolutions is unique in how services are bundled, how they are delivered, to whom they are delivered, and by whom they are delivered. Companies in growth or change mode, rarely need support and talent in only one area of their business. The combination of expertise in the areas of operations, finance, IT, human resources and marketing allows the LeveragedSolutions team to assess all the business needs, develop a comprehensive strategy and provide a team of skilled professionals to assist in implementing on that strategy. Companies can select the services or combination of services they need at the time, and as circumstances change, the services can evolve with them. LeveragedSolutions is also unique in the way in which the services are delivered – with a one-point-of-contact approach, clients have immediate access a team experts who will access, advise and deliver services.

PBN: How has the recent economic crisis and slow recovery played a role in the creation of LeveragedSolutions?
KELLER:
During the economic downturn, companies looked to remain competitive while cutting costs and reducing their number of employees, leaving fewer people to do the work while trying to stay in business. As the economy slowly rebounds, companies are looking for cost-effective ways to grow without increasing the infrastructure or overburdening the loyal team still in place. Outsourcing allows business owners to make the most effective use of their time and financial resources. LeveragedSolutions allows a business owner to build a team of skilled professional without adding the expense of full-time employees which frees up their time, attention and resources to focus on business strategies and growth. It also provides them with the opportunity to modify the service offering as needs and circumstances change without the hassle of downsizing existing personnel or adding more permanent overhead.

PBN: How has your career prepared you for your new role as managing director of LeveragedSolutions?
KELLER:
Trained as a corporate lawyer, I approach a situation differently; look at the big picture, assess the situation, analyze the issues and find solutions. Representing companies from startup to publicly-traded has allowed me to work side-by-side with entrepreneurs, C-suite executives and business owners. This experience in advising businesses in all facets of their lifecycle, along with my personal desire to work hands to help solve problems and find solutions, led me to LGC+D and LeveragedSolutions

PBN: You have a history of working with and supporting women entrepreneurs and women business owners, how does your new role and LeveragedSolutions support this passion.
KELLER:
Giving back to the community is an extremely important part of what I do. One way in which I give back is working with and mentoring women entrepreneurs to transfer the knowledge and expertise accumulated through years of representing companies and working closely with business owners. With the strong brand presence of LGC+D’s Women Count and the service offerings and resources of LeveragedSolutions, we are better equipped to provide business solutions to the niche market of women entrepreneurs. Our business model enables a women-helping-women component, as LGC+D female professional help grow their clients’ businesses while perpetuating the fulfillment and growth of their own careers.

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