From Data to Decisions: How CAAS Strengthens Financial Leadership

A conversation with Amanda Johnston, leader of Ellin & Tucker’s Client Accounting and Advisory Services (CAAS) practice.

The following article originally ran in the November 2025 issue of I95 Business magazine.

In a fast-moving business environment, leaders are expected to make quick, strategic decisions – often with limited visibility into their company’s true financial picture. Strong financial reporting and proactive advising makes all the difference. Often, such support requires an ongoing partner who can combine traditional accounting with technology-enabled advisory, helping clients streamline their processes, interpret results and make confident, data-driven decisions to reach their goals. This type of support is known as Client Accounting and Advisory Services, or CAAS.

Amanda Johnston leads the CAAS practice at Ellin & Tucker. The following Q&A highlights how reliable, accurate financial reporting and strategic accounting support can transform the way small and mid-sized businesses operate, and why the CAAS model is helping more companies achieve financial clarity, confidence and sustainable growth.

Q: Why is strong financial reporting such an essential part of running a successful business today?

Amanda: Today’s environment is competitive. Business leaders are expected to make informed, fast decisions, but they can’t make sound choices without trustworthy data. So, strong financial reporting goes beyond compliance or closing the books each month. It offers a clear view into your company’s health, and the direction it’s moving.

I feel that accurate and timely reporting helps owners and management teams identify profitable areas, manage cash flow effectively and spot risks before they escalate. It’s a foundation that enables the most informed resource allocation – building trust with lenders and investors – driving long-term growth.

Q: So, it’s more than just producing reports. It’s about what you do with them, right?

Amanda: Exactly. The real value isn’t in the number of reports you generate, but the insights they reveal about your business and what’s ahead. When you understand what’s driving performance, you can make proactive decisions. Strong and accurate financial reporting transforms hindsight into foresight because you can link your daily activities to long-term strategies and sustainable growth.

Q: How does Ellin & Tucker’s CAAS team help businesses strengthen their financial reporting and decision making?

Amanda: Our CAAS team serves as an extension of a company’s internal finance teams. For many smaller businesses, maintaining an in-house accounting department isn’t practical. But that doesn’t mean they should operate without reliable financial insight.

We focus on day-to-day functions like bill pay, invoicing and payroll – as well as higher-level activities like month-end close, management reporting and process improvement. These solutions help businesses streamline their operations and gain clarity.

What truly sets CAAS apart is the advisory element. We don’t just manage the numbers. We help clients interpret them. Then clients can turn their data into actionable insight to make well-informed and forward-looking decisions. That can mean planning for your growth, improving profitability or preparing for an audit or tax filing.

We may not be in your building every day, but our approach provides you with the systems, visibility and partnership that makes it feel like we’re right there in the room with you.

Q: What kind of impact do you see when a business partners with CAAS?

Amanda: The transformation is often immediate. Once clients have reliable data and consistent reporting, they gain confidence in their decisions. They start to see exactly where they’re making or losing money, and they can act on that insight.

We’ve seen clients move from feeling reactive to being proactive. They anticipate challenges instead of chasing them. Our technology does the heavy lifting, and our team provides ongoing support and perspective – so, you can focus your time and energy on strategy and growth. It’s really rewarding to watch that shift from uncertainty to clarity and control.

Q: How does technology fit into the CAAS approach?

Amanda: Technology is a cornerstone of our CAAS approach. We leverage modern accounting tools to streamline processes and automate routine tasks. We give clients real-time visibility into their financial performance. But technology isn’t the whole solution. It’s a tool. The true value comes from combining these systems with our team of professionals, who provide context, interpret the data and offer actionable insights. Our human expertise paired with technology is what helps business owners make informed decisions.

Q: What’s your message to small business owners who might feel intimidated by financial reporting or unsure about where to start?

Amanda: You don’t have to do it alone. Partnering with a CAAS team gives you scalable access to the same level of expertise and analysis that large companies rely on. We meet you where you are and help you get where you want to go. Streamlined accounting processes help make your financial data clear and accessible. Strong financial reporting along with proactive advisory support is the catalyst for growth. If you partner with our team at Ellin & Tucker, you can combine the power of modern accounting technology with expert guidance to turn your financial data into a clear path forward. I95 Sponsored Content