Partnering for Success: How a Property Manager Saved Time and Money

“We liked Gita, so we threw out her book and let her teach us directly along with the disc,” she laughed. “And after installing the program and with a little help from Gita, we immediately had the tools I needed to run the property.” This included the reports, as well as tenant, lease-term, employee and vendor management tools, options for tracking work orders by vendor, property, tenant and unit, and monthly and year-end functions.

It also offers industry-based standards for profiles, lists, payment methods, job types and user preferences, all based on property management jargon instead of accounting terminology.

Lynn was also able to get things to her CPA much more quickly, she said. “It used to take us hours to produce most reports, and still they were incorrect and a week or more for end-of-year reporting, because the old system just wasn’t working the way it was supposed to. But now we can instantly produce income and balance sheets, and our end of year process takes about a day. Plus, our accountant can access our data remotely. So he’s much happier with the reporting and our workflow, and we’re much happier with the time saved.”

Shortly after they implemented the new program, it made it easier to keep track of major purchases and investments such as new appliances. The system has helped them with cost segregation relating to those assets.

A Continuing Relationship

Although not under a service contract, Lynn still turns to the consultant for occasional ongoing support when she needs it, usually over lunch. Gita notes, however, that it isn’t very often, except when Lynn is considering a new online payment solution or seeking different report customization.

“Not all clients are equal, but Lynn is a very good learner. She’s consistent and she has retained the training and does things right.” Initially focused on business issues, the two have become friends over the years and still share lunch when nearby.

Lynn is more than satisfied with both the program and Gita’s help, she says the switch has helped save money, time and frustration. “It was a lifesaver financially and emotionally for me, and our accountant says it’s made his job easier, too.”