From Selection to Success: How United Way of the Piedmont Transformed Its Finance Team with Sage Intacct
Presented by JMT Consulting
Featuring: Buu-Linh Tran, CPA (SVP of Financial Solutions, JMT Consulting)
Guest: Chris Neely (VP of Finance and Administration, United Way of the Piedmont)
A Nonprofit on a Mission
Serving Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties in South Carolina, United Way of the Piedmont has a clear mission: help people thrive. Through a wide range of community services—from budgeting support and homelessness prevention to education and health initiatives—their finance team plays a critical behind-the-scenes role in making it all happen.
With more than 25 permanent employees and a rotating cohort of AmeriCorps members, the organization was rapidly outgrowing its legacy financial systems. Manual processes, limited reporting, and siloed data were slowing things down.
Why It Was Time for a Change
As United Way neared its 90th anniversary, their leadership team recognized the need for a modern, scalable ERP solution. They needed a system that could:
- Handle multi-dimensional reporting
- Simplify grant tracking
- Improve data visibility
- Support cross-department collaboration
- Free up time for mission-focused strategy
Choosing Sage Intacct: Key Considerations
During the selection phase, Chris and his team focused on:
- Nonprofit functionality (especially grant and fund management)
- Automation capabilities to reduce manual work
- Dashboards and real-time reporting
- Flexibility to scale with evolving programs
They ultimately partnered with JMT Consulting to implement Sage Intacct, drawn by JMT’s nonprofit expertise and Intacct’s ability to meet both current and future needs.
The Implementation Journey
Implementation wasn’t without its challenges—especially with change management and training—but the organization prioritized clear communication, staff readiness, and stakeholder buy-in. With support from JMT’s financial and technical experts, they ensured the system was aligned to their goals from the beginning.
Measurable Impact
Since adopting Sage Intacct, United Way of the Piedmont has seen tangible results:
- Faster reporting to leadership and the board
- Greater confidence in financial data
- Streamlined workflows, saving valuable staff time
- Better strategic decisions driven by real-time insight
The ERP transformation allowed the finance team to shift from reactive reporting to proactive planning—directly supporting the organization’s mission delivery.
Advice to Other Nonprofits
Chris’s advice to peers:
“Start with a clear vision of what you need and where you want to go. Engage your team early and work with partners who understand nonprofit finance.”
Final Takeaway
Technology isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about amplifying impact. For United Way of the Piedmont, cloud-based ERP was the foundation they needed to scale programs, serve more people, and strengthen financial stewardship.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you’re evaluating your current ERP or planning a transition, JMT Consulting can guide your nonprofit through it.
