How Wipfli Transformed Operations with Strategic Remote Talent
About Wipfli
Wipfli is a leading accounting and consulting firm providing audit, tax, and business consulting services across industries like financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing, with a growing focus on technology consulting and digital transformation.
Industry
Accounting & Business Consulting
Company Size
Large
Year Partnered with Cloudstaff
2016
Location
Milwaukee, USA
Cloudstaff Delivery Center
Clark
The Situation
Facing skyrocketing demand for business services, Wipfli knew their US-based talent couldn’t keep pace. They made a strategic decision: to grow globally by outsourcing, expanding their team beyond borders. This bold move positioned them for sustained success in a competitive market.
The Challenge
When Wisconsin-based accounting and consulting firm Wipfli faced mounting growth pressures in 2016, they encountered critical business challenges:
Capacity Limitations
Teams were stretched beyond sustainable limits due to rising client demand
Talent Acquisition Barriers
Traditional local recruitment couldn’t keep pace with growth needs
Service Delivery Obstacles
Time zone limitations created workflow bottleneck
The Solution
After exploring options in the Philippines, Wipfli selected Cloudstaff based on shared values around people development, talent investment, and employee experience. Cloudstaff’s approach to building a strong work environment for its staff resonated directly with Wipfli’s own people-first culture.
Launched with 4 accountants handling data entry and bill processing
Cloudstaff Academy delivered specialized training aligned to US accounting standards and practices
Four on-site training events conducted in 2024 alone to keep the team current on regulatory requirements and technology tools
MyStaff dashboard and CS Mobile app gave Wipfli leaders real-time visibility into team performance and in-progress activities
Time zone difference leveraged as a workflow advantage, with the Philippine team continuing work after US business hours closed
CS Cares and community engagement initiatives strengthened team cohesion and a sense of broader purpose
Growth & Evolution
2016: Launched with 4 accountants performing data entry and bill processing
Team grew to 36 at time of testimonial, expanded to 44 specialists by 2025
Entry-level team members progressed into management and oversight roles, training others
21-day average SLA fulfillment for new positions maintained throughout
Scope expanded across audit, tax, and technology consulting disciplines
The Results
What started as a solution to a staffing constraint transformed into a structural competitive advantage. Wipfli expanded its service offerings and geographic presence while maintaining quality, responsiveness, and the people-first culture that defines the firm. Cost savings were not treated as an end in themselves but reinvested directly into training, technology, and team development, compounding the long-term value of the remote workforce.
99%
employee retention rate, consistently outperforming accounting industry averages
60%
reduction in average cost per hire compared to equivalent US-based roles
44
specialists embedded across Wipfli’s accounting and consulting functions
21-day
average SLA fulfillment for new positions
“Chase the sun”
workflow model enabling work to continue through the night as the US team hands off to the Philippines
Savings
reinvested directly into training, technology, and team development
“Our demand for business services was outpacing our ability to grow our team with US-based talent. We realized that we needed to grow globally and look beyond the US to expand our headcount.”
Jessica Barnas, Partner
Wipfli Advisory LLC
Built to Last
As Wipfli continues to strengthen its position in cybersecurity, ERP implementations, and data analytics, the Cloudstaff partnership continues to evolve alongside it.
The relationship has moved well beyond addressing immediate staffing needs to becoming a core component of how the firm operates and grows.
Ready to transform your operations?
Contact us today to discuss how strategic remote talent can address your business challenges.
About Cloudstaff
Cloudstaff is a virtual staffing company connecting businesses with top global talent from a talent pool of 1M+ professionals, powered by its People + Tech model.
With over 20 delivery centers across the Philippines, India, Colombia, Kenya, and Sri Lanka, and dedicated onshore teams in the US, Australia, and the UK, Cloudstaff helps businesses across 34 countries build high-performing virtual teams across hundreds of roles. Learn more at cloudstaff.com.
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