GIRLS INC. OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA AND SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY
“It’s not just about the numbers…”

Jan Figueira
CEO

Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey is a youth development agency that helps more than 1,000 area girls each year grow up to be strong, smart and bold women. Through educational programming, advocacy and case management, the organization inspires girls to become independent, constructive adults and leaders in their community. Girls Inc.’s research-based curricula cover such topics as economic and media literacy. School- and family-based programs work to prevent substance abuse and adolescent pregnancy, build leadership skills, and encourage girls to seek career opportunities in math, science, engineering, and technology. The organization responds to the changing needs of girls to empower them to reach their full potential and to understand, value and assert their rights.

When New York social worker Jan Figueira was named CEO of the national organization’s Philadelphia affiliate several years ago, she inherited a pre-existing contractual relationship with Your Part-Time Controller that she initially wanted to end in favor of hiring someone on staff. “I didn’t think that anyone could be as loyal as a staff person,” she says. But Eric Fraint quickly convinced her that YPTC’s personnel are like staff, only better.

“You think accountants are all about the numbers, but that’s not the case with Your Part-Time Controller. Eric and his people have made me feel more comfortable and confident about our financials. It’s not just about the numbers: they take care of you. They’re not just in here to do the accounting. They do a fabulous job and we’ve gotten more than we’ve paid for!” she exclaims.

YPTC Associate Angel Direnzo works in the Girls Inc. office two days a week, handling cash flow analyses, receivables, payroll, and other financial work. “Angel – well, that’s what she is!” says Figueira. “She is committed to make sure our financial information is accurate, up to date, and accessible. She’s dedicated to make sure the information we have is what we need to serve our girls and to be in compliance with the different regulations we have to follow. She’s able to keep it all together. When I’m worried about something financial, she’s worried, too,” she says.

“Angel helped us identify how much it costs per girl to run our programs. That’s very important information for funders and for our appeal letters,” says Figueira.

YPTC’s level of caring extends far beyond working the numbers. When Girls Inc. lost some key city funding, Fraint put them in touch with a Philadelphia Inquirer reporter who was writing an article about how the recession is affecting nonprofits. On more than one occasion Direnzo has called in from vacation to see what’s happening, to make sure the organization received an expected payment, or to see if they needed anything.

“I don’t feel like I contracted the financial work out or that I took on a consultant,” says Figueira. “I feel like Angel is one of our staff who cares about our agency and the people we serve as much as we do. You can’t get any better than that!”