Settlement Housing Fund, Inc.

"YPTC was able to fill that gap"

Since 1969, Settlement Housing Fund (SHF) has developed 69 projects with over 8,900 residences that are now homes to over 25,000 low and moderate-income residents, including formerly homeless, providing pathways to long-term affordable housing, education, employment, and wellness. Settlement Housing Fund creates and sustains high quality affordable housing and programs, building strong and economically diverse neighborhoods throughout New York City.

Richard Johns, Chief Operating Officer and Kristen Andreazza, Chief Financial Officer discovered YPTC at a nonprofit accounting conference. Richard says, “Of the groups we received proposals from, YPTC seemed to have the best potential for hitting the ground running. Also, the organization was one of the few that had experience with Financial Edge NXT.”

YPTC initially was hired to help during Kristen’s parental leave after an unsuccessful search to find a full-time controller. “It went so well that we kept YPTC on for another year after I returned from leave.” Kristen said, “They assisted with our 15+ audits and various tax returns. They also helped with projects related to setting up and reporting with our accounting software. When we switched property management companies’ mid-year, YPTC assisted with the transition on the accounting side. It was very difficult for us to find a Controller with the required knowledge for our complex organization, and YPTC was able to fill that gap.”

She goes on to explain that SHF has grown substantially in the last few years and appreciates that YPTC took the time to get to know their unique organization. “We are a not-for-profit that has many affiliates, most of which are real estate entities. YPTC jumped right in to learn our structure, and work with our property management companies to provide well-organized audit packages to our auditors.”

Richard values YPTC’s vast network of experts, “Throughout our entire experience, I was always confident that there was no problem that couldn’t be solved by a quick message through YPTC’s messaging system. We value our part-time controller, Robert Butynes, and found him to be a consummate professional with a vast knowledge of accounting. He was also a genuinely nice person who took a real interest in our work and the organization.”

Kristen adds, “[Robert] always had a positive attitude and emphasized that he was here to help us, with whichever projects that needed attention. He kept our audits well-organized, and I was able to trust that he would always get the job done.

“Based on our experience I have already recommended YPTC to another nonprofit organization that is similar to ours.”