“We learned about Ian Shuman and Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman through the Center for Nonprofit Advancement. We are a small organization and only recently began to take over direct responsibility for our finances from our parent organization. This was a huge step in our institutional development. Ian was invaluable throughout the complex process of setting up our accounting and payroll system, developing our internal controls and reporting systems, and launching our financial management in an efficient and sound manner.
Ian is simply delightful to work with. He is consistently responsive to our questions and can explain complex finance and accounting concepts in simple layman’s terms. His guidance helps us make educated decisions about our financial management and organizational policies.
Now that we have laid our accounting groundwork, Ian has been helping us prepare for our first Audit and IRS Form 990 submission. He is and will remain a crucial resource for our organization.”
Amy Hawthorne, Executive Director
The Hollings Center for International Dialogue
The Hollings Center promotes dialogue between the United States and Turkey, the nations of the Middle East, North Africa, and Southwest Asia, and other countries with predominantly Muslim populations in order to open channels of communication, deepen cross-cultural understanding, expand people-to-people contacts, and generate new thinking on important international issues.
“Working with Ian Shuman, and more recently with Elinor Litwack, has been wonderful. Ian brings a wealth of CPA management experience, which has proven invaluable in helping our firm address management issues. They both have been extremely responsive to our needs at every turn. They have listened to our concerns and offered alternative strategies that have allowed us to move forward. The work they do at our organization, and the manner in which they deliver the information makes an excellent impression in our top management. I would not hesitate to recommend GRF to other firms.”
Ana Ramos, Associate Director for Administration
The Stanley Medical Research Institute
The Stanley Medical Research Institute is a nonprofit organization supporting research on the causes of, and treatments for, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Since it began in 1989, SMRI has supported more than $300 million in research in over 30 countries around the world. It is the largest nongovernmental source of funds for research on these diseases in the United States.
“When we were in the market for an outsourced accounting firm, Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman was at the top of the list. Ian Shuman responded very quickly, and our professional lives have totally changed as a result. His knowledge has allowed us to create reports that are useful and accurate. Additionally, Jill Leonard, one of his team members, taught us how to fully utilize our Peachtree software.
Ian understands the needs of our organization and is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. If he doesn’t know the answer to one of our questions, he makes sure to find it as soon as he can. I would recommend Ian and his team in a heartbeat.”
Jane Hirshberg, Managing Director & CEO
Liz Lerman Dance Exchange
Liz Lerman Dance Exchange is a professional company of dance artists that creates, performs, teaches, and engages people in making art. Since its start in 1976, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange has produced more than 100 innovative dance/theatre works, presented thousands of performances and conducted innumerable community encounters. With these activities, the company has reached communities of every size from Los Angeles, California to Eastport, Maine, from Yamaguchi, Japan to Gdansk, Poland.
“We are a smaller client for Gelman, Rosenberg and Freedman, but they take our business seriously and never fail to make us feel important. We can always count on a quick response and sound advice. We respect the opinions and recommendations of our point person, Judy Lasley, regarding our government contracts and complex cost proposals. Our interaction with her is always pleasant and productive. We have the utmost confidence in Judy and in Gelman, Rosenberg and Freedman.”
Marcia Zier, Vice President
Interactive Drama, Inc.
Interactive Drama Inc. creates voice-activated educational software programs that allows users to engage in virtual dialogues with experts in cyberspace.
“As our company grows, we continue to rely on Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman more and more. Kate Fisken is a pleasure to work with. She is accommodating and always pulls through for us on deadline-sensitive issues. She also filled in as our interim CFO and helped us recruit and hire financial personnel. Kate provides excellent advice related to our growth and is a valuable asset to our success.”
Mayada El-Zoghbi, Managing Partner
Bayan Global
Bayan Global is a development consulting firm that works in five continents. Through market-driven business approaches, Banyan Global improves livelihoods, builds markets, and promotes efficient resource allocation in developing and transitional economies.
“We can call on Kate Fisken and her staff with any concerns or questions and they get back to us instantly. Kate truly looks out for my company’s best interests. She keeps me up to date on ways to protect our assets and I consider her a helpful advisor, teacher and friend. She’ll ask me important questions I don’t even think about and keeps me appraised on new tax rules and regulations. I take great comfort in knowing that we are going to get our filings right the first time. Kate helped us develop a profit-sharing plan which has increased our productivity and profitability. I trust her completely and appreciate her proactive advice on ways to minimize taxes and grow our business.”
Jan Fenty, Co-Owner
Fleet Feet
Fleet Feet is an athletic shop in Washington, DC specializing in shoes, clothing and accessories for running, walking, soccer and aerobic fitness activities.
“The rules and regulations in the Government Contracting industry are complex and Judy Lasley does anexcellent job of educating me on how to wisely calculate, set and defend rates, as well as the long-term consequences of choosing the wrong rates. We call her the ‘Queen of Rates’ and appreciate her immeasurable help in the financial success of our company. Judy is accessible, gets back to me quickly and always makes time for me. With Jerry Rosenberg’s strategic direction, Judy and her team work overtime for me at Gelman, Rosenberg and Freedman and treat me like a big dollar client which means a lot to me.”
John Cates, President & CEO
Global Intelligence, Inc.
Global Intelligence supplies the U.S. Federal Intelligence Community with cleared, qualified intelligence and information technology professionals in critical missions worldwide.
“Jerry Rosenberg and Judy Lasley helped us set up the right business structure and continue to get us through the maze of government contracting regulations we face everyday. We have benefitted from their tax perspective to setting-up payroll and they have helped us realize tax savings appropriate to our situation. Jerry and Judy are always responsive, understanding, patient and pleased to help. I consider them a vital part of our team and key contributors to our success.”
Shirley Wayne, Co-Owner,
SW Associates, LLC
SW Associates is a consortium of experts specializing in international tourism development, strategic planning, cultural heritage and community tourism, marketing and research.
“Had I not met and trusted Kate Fisken, I would have made a big mess out of my government contracts. I didn’t realize how complex the business could be. For over ten years she has led me through the morass and minutia of the government contract financial process which can be intolerant of the smallest mistake. She keeps me sane and safe. Kate and her team at Gelman, Rosenberg and Freedman have helped me grow my business and I could not have done it without their expertise and insights. Kate is also the personal accountant for my partner and me and we truly respect her input as a financial business partner and as a human being.”
Richard Seaton, Founder and CEO
Impact Marketing + Communications
Impact Marketing + Communications is a firm that specializes in providing strategic marketing and communications support to the U.S. Government, nonprofits and small businesses.
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