How we work

From first call
to lasting
partnership.

We designed our engagement model to build toward a long-term partnership from the very first conversation. Here's how we get there.

The process

Four phases.
One continuous relationship.

Every humm engagement follows a clear arc from understanding how your organization operates to establishing a steady operating rhythm. We move deliberately through each phase so nothing is rushed, nothing is assumed, and the engagement starts on firm ground.

Phase 01
Discovery
Typical 1–3 weeks

We start by learning how your organization actually operates, your funding mix, reporting needs, current tools, and where friction is showing up. The goal is a clear diagnosis and a scoped plan, not a rushed proposal.

What happens
  • Discovery call with leadership to understand context and priorities
  • Review of financials, systems, and compliance posture
  • Identification of gaps, risks, and immediate priorities
  • Service proposal outlining scope, approach, and pricing
Phase 02
Design
Typical 1–2 weeks

Before onboarding begins, we design the engagement. This is where the structural decisions are made that will govern reporting, responsibilities, and delivery going forward.

What happens
  • Engagement agreement signed and work begins
  • Named relationship lead assigned to your account
  • Communication cadence and response expectations established
  • Reporting package and delivery schedule configured
  • Fund and grant structure and tracking approach designed
Phase 03
Onboarding
Typical 3–6 weeks

We implement the design, stabilize the books and workflows, and complete any needed cleanup so the first monthly close under our management is reliable and repeatable. Your role is to provide context, access, and timely approvals while we handle the operational work.

What happens
  • System access and permissions established
  • Historical cleanup where needed to establish a clean starting point
  • Chart of accounts and fund structure implemented
  • Opening balances and key schedules verified
  • First close cycle completed, reviewed, and adjusted as needed
Phase 04
Partnership
Ongoing

Once onboarding is complete, the engagement settles into a predictable rhythm. Monthly close, payroll, and compliance management follow a consistent cadence with regular check-ins to keep reporting and priorities aligned.

What happens
  • Monthly close and financial reporting delivery
  • Payroll processing and required filings per your pay schedule
  • Compliance calendar management, including 990 and other filings
  • Periodic leadership check-ins to review trends and upcoming needs
The operating rhythm

Predictable
by design.

Once onboarding is complete, the engagement settles into a predictable rhythm. The exact mix depends on the service areas in scope, but the structure remains consistent: ongoing financial operations, a disciplined monthly close, payroll according to your pay schedule, and proactive compliance management.

Ongoing
operations
Transaction coding and ledger maintenance
Accounts payable and receivable management
Grant and fund tracking updates
Financial oversight and issue resolution
Payroll
cycle
Payroll processed according to your organization's established schedule, whether biweekly, semi-monthly, or monthly
Payroll tax deposits and required filings
Benefits and payroll deduction management
Labor allocation aligned with programs and grants
Monthly
close
Bank and balance sheet reconciliations
Close and internal review
Financial statement preparation and delivery
Grant budget-to-actual and program reporting updates
Compliance
calendar
Form 990 preparation and filing
Audit or financial review preparation and coordination
State charitable and corporate compliance filings
Funder financial reporting support
Regulatory monitoring so deadlines don't become emergencies
Quarterly
reviews
Review of financial trends and emerging risks
Planning for upcoming compliance milestones
Adjustments to reporting or engagement priorities as the organization evolves
Staying in sync

Direct access.
No runaround.

We believe the relationship matters as much as the work. Every client has a named point of contact who understands your organization and keeps the engagement moving. Questions reach the right person quickly and responsibilities stay clear.

Named relationship lead
Every engagement has a consistent lead who understands your organization, your reporting needs, and your operating environment. They coordinate the work internally and remain your primary point of contact.
Direct access to the team
Questions and requests go directly to the team responsible for your engagement. Nothing disappears into a generic queue.
Response expectations
Response times are defined at the start of the engagement so expectations are clear from day one. Urgent issues are addressed more quickly when flagged as time-sensitive.
Proactive issue flagging
If something unusual appears in the books, payroll activity, or compliance calendar, we flag it early so it doesn't turn into a surprise.
Leadership alignment
Periodic conversations with leadership ensure the engagement stays aligned with organizational priorities, upcoming reporting obligations, and evolving needs.
The way we work

Four principles we
never compromise on.

These aren't aspirational values on a wall. They're the operating principles that govern every engagement, every deliverable, and every conversation we have with our partners.

01

Proactive, not reactive

We surface issues before they become problems. Deliverables arrive before you ask. Deadlines are flagged with enough lead time to act, not the day they're due.

02

Right-sized to your organization

Your engagement is configured for where you actually are, not a generic package. As your organization grows or shifts, we recalibrate because we noticed, not because you asked.

03

Integrated by design

Finance, payroll, compliance, and governance operate as a connected system so nothing falls through the cracks between service areas.

04

Your data, always yours

Your financial data belongs to your organization, not to us. You retain full access at all times, and if our engagement ever ends, your records remain accessible and portable.