Testimonials

Testimonials

“A brand is no longer what we tell the customer it is–it is what customers tell each other it is.”  –Scott Cook

From Our Clients

“The Bright Solutions has provided Washington Performing Arts with comprehensive financial support, reporting, and planning. While we initially envisioned working together on an interim basis, we have happily extended our agreement into the future. Sarah Bright and her team have built the confidence of our team and our Board at a crucial time. We are so fortunate to have them as colleagues and partners!”

Jenny Bilfield
President & CEO, Washington Performing Arts

“The Bright Solutions has been invaluable to Inscape Publico, making sure our book-keeping records are in order and providing strategic financial consulting to our organization. This let’s us focus on our mission of providing professional architecture services to our nonprofit clients instead of worrying about balancing our budgets.”

Gregory Kearley
Executive Director, Inscape Publico

“The Bright Solutions has been more than a thought-partner to us. Sarah and the team are integral to the success of our organization and have provided the kind of service and dedication that typically comes from long-time employees. Our concerns are their concerns, and our successes are their successes.”

Chase Maggiano
Executive Director, The Washington Chorus

“The Bright Solutions is a key component to the success of our organization. The management of our finances, human resources and operational structure were critical during our transition from a for-profit to non-profit organization. The Bright Solutions provided professional guidance and acted as a sounding board during some or our toughest challenges. They offered reliable and honest guidance that helped move our organization toward a solid financial future. The stability they provide gives us the ability to wholeheartedly focus on fulfilling our mission and vision. They are truly wonderful partners and we are very thankful to have them as a part of our executive team.”

Melissa Dobbs
President & Founder, Metropolitan School of the Arts

“I couldn’t possibly begin to repay you (literally) or thank you for your service, counsel and the expertise you have given us. As you know, when I first called you, we “needed help.” I needed someone from the outside with the finance knowledge and confidence to tell me if my gut was right. In addition to affirming my instincts, you helped us dig out of our mess, show us a path forward, and pieced together a plan. There were “surprises” along the way (of course!), but you have taken them all in stride. You were able to get into the weeds and figure out the natty problems as well as give us the high-level counsel to keep us focused on the big picture. Our Finance Director has been an AMAZING hire and she is already showing her strengths to me and the staff. It is so energizing to work with talented people.”

Patrick Madden
Executive Director, Foundation for the National Archives

“The Bright Solutions consistently provides reliable, accurate, and professional accounting services. They are responsive to the needs of a small office and are always helpful when asked about a special situation. Could not hope for more.”

Heidi Shoup
President and CEO, World Affairs Council, Washington, D.C.

“Our organization, four and a half years ago, was struggling to manage our accounting and financial management system and was more overwhelmed by the process than being able to work the process. The Bright Solutions helped us figure out what really mattered for us and today we have a more user friendly set of procedures that have helped us point our organization in the right direction and have the knowledge to prepare for a 2 million dollar Capital Campaign. The Bright Solutions truly cares about their clients and is willing to have the difficult conversations that matter most. The value to our organization is found in the ability to break complex financial processes down into concise, easy to understand and implement procedures for our small organization and very young board. I feel very fortunate to have found The Bright Solutions and look forward to many years of working together.”

Jose Dominguez
Executive Director, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center

“Our organization retained Richard Kamenitzer of The Bright Solutions from our inception as an established entity some 7 years ago. Through his financial and management leadership, we rapidly became a major international relief organization. Our Board leadership from Chairman, Treasurer and Chair of the Personnel Committee all have praised these efforts and passed a resolution confirming the many contributions made over the years.”

Dr. William Brindley
Chief Executive Officer, NetHope, Inc

“Shortly after we established The Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund, Richard Kamenitzer of The Bright Solutions came to us through a funder. For almost ten years he served as chief financial officer through the firm and provided us with the guidance and management that allowed us to fulfill our mission allowing more than 1,000 deserving but disadvantaged Washington, DC youth to obtain a college education and to be mentored by a very special group of professionals. He was an outstanding partner to our Founder, Susie Kay.”

Jerry Sachs
Founding Board Chair, The Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund

“The Bright Solutions has been such a valuable asset to the Arts Council of Fairfax County within the past year. The Bright Solutions helped us bring our financial processes in-house and created a financial policies manual, which allowed us to have a better understanding of our finances and, ultimately, gain control of our finances. I never expected to take on much financial responsibility within the Arts Council, but The Bright Solutions made the transition and learning process easy and fun. The Bright Solutions is very knowledgeable of our organizational needs and takes much care in assuring that our finances are reported accurately and timely. We never feel neglected! We are confident in the work completed by The Bright Solutions and highly recommend them to others.”

Janay Turner
Business Manager, Arts Council of Fairfax County

“The American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) always turns to The Bright Solutions when our organization is in need of expert help and assistance. They are a reliable partner at all times and provide insightful guidance on topics ranging from budgeting practices to Planned Giving. ARCE relies on The Bright Solutions to provide staff coverage when short-staffed and our Senior Leadership is confident that a responsible and watchful eye is monitoring and managing our financial procedures. We look forward to working with The Bright Solutions now, and long into the future”.

Karim Seikaly
Business & Finance Director, American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE)

“Our organization had outgrown its previous bookkeeping system and didn’t have the right staff skills to manage our growth.  The Bright Solutions designed an amazing, integrated system that has allowed us to monitor cash flow, save staff time, and reduce errors. Sarah and Jean have been solution-oriented, responsive and incredibly aware of the quirks of a performing arts organization.  I’m thrilled – and so is our board – with the increased capacity to manage our finances and analyze program activity in less than a year.”

Brooke Kidd
Executive Director, Joe’s Movement Emporium

“The Bright Solutions has made it possible for Smart Beginnings Virginia Peninsula to truly focus on our mission to serve young children and families, birth to age 5, by helping us become more efficient and effective in financial oversight. Sarah helped us develop a working structure to meet our needs for bookkeeping and accounting, then helped us implement it with fidelity. She has always served as a teacher and coach to the team of Directors, Treasurer and Finance Committee. She has made it easy for me to embrace the financial aspects of leadership and, guiding me toward success and confidence, so our organization can shine.”

Diane Umstead
Executive Director, Smart Beginnings Virginia Peninsula

 

“When the Virginia Winds Academy was looking for accounting help, I contacted Professor Kamenitzer, and he recommended The Bright Solutions.  TBS was founded and run by a former student of his.
His recommendation was spot-on.
With the help of Sarah and especially Jean, the books for VWA were “correctly” created.  With infinite patience, Jean has led me through the use of Quickbooks and has always been there for advice and help.
With TBS’s help, my role as Treasurer of Virginia Winds Academy has been infinitely easier.”

 

John Flahive
Treasurer & COO, Virginia Winds Academy, INC

From Our Partners & Colleagues

“Working with The Bright Solutions has been a real pleasure. Our professional services team is always available to assist with their clients’ audit needs, and the competence of Sarah and Richard has been appreciated. We value this ongoing relationship with a partner who demonstrates competence, dedication and an ability to hand off clients who are audit-ready.”

Amy Boland
Nonprofit Audit Partner, Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman CPAs

“We have several audit clients that have utilized The Bright Solution’s outsourced accounting services, and find their team to always be well prepared and responsive in facilitating the audit process.”

Jorge L. Diaz, CPA
Rogers & Company 

“We have worked with The Bright Solutions for several years and it has always been a pleasure.  Their attention to detail, timeliness and professionalism is exactly what we need, and it makes our job as auditors much easier.  We know that they work very hard for their clients to ensure the highest quality service.”

Robert P. Diss, CPA
Vice-President, Lindsey + Associates