From 85 to 1,200+ Employees: How Sorren Unified Their Growing Multi-state Accounting Firm with Rightworks Cloud Premier
Scaling from a single office to a multi-state operation presents unique technological challenges. Nobody knows that challenge better than Sorren, a dynamic professional services firm, as they expanded from a modest 85-person team to a powerhouse with over 1,200 employees across 20+ offices around the world. Their journey from fragmented systems to unified operations offers valuable lessons for any growing accounting firm.
The Challenge: Growing Pains of a Scaling Accounting Firm
When Jason Kadow, Regional Managing Partner of the Great Lakes and Director of Business Development for Sorren, reflects on the company’s early days, he describes a familiar scenario for many growing businesses. “Life was disjointed,” Kadow recalls. The company was attempting to operate with two different technology platforms, creating significant communication barriers as they expanded to multiple offices.
The fragmentation wasn’t just a minor inconvenience—it was threatening to undermine Sorren’s core vision. As Kadow explains, “Our goal is to be one firm.” Yet with disparate systems in place, achieving this unified identity seemed increasingly out of reach. Employees in different offices were working with different tools, following different procedures, and essentially operating as separate entities rather than a cohesive accounting firm.
This technological divide became even more pronounced as Sorren’s growth accelerated. What started as two offices with 85 people quickly evolved into an international operation with offices not just throughout the United States, but also in India and the Philippines. The need for a unified solution became not just important, but critical to the company’s continued success.
The Turning Point: Recognizing the Need for Unity
The decision to seek a comprehensive solution came from a clear understanding that continued growth would be impossible without technological unity. Sorren needed a platform that could:
- Integrate seamlessly across all offices, regardless of location
- Support international operations across multiple time zones
- Provide consistent processes and procedures for all employees
- Enable smooth communication between offices
- Scale with the company’s ambitious growth plans
“We needed to find a solution that could encompass both,” Kadow notes, referring to the challenge of bridging their existing technology accounting firms into one cohesive system.
The Solution: Rightworks as a Unifying Force
Sorren’s partnership with Rightworks marked a transformational moment in their growth journey. The platform delivered exactly what the company needed: a single, unified system that brought all offices together under one technological umbrella.
“What I’ve appreciated working with Rightworks is the fact that it brings everybody together,” Kadow emphasizes. This wasn’t just about having the same software—it was about creating a shared operational experience that reinforced Sorren’s identity as one firm.
The implementation meant that whether an employee was logging in from the Great Lakes region, India, or the Philippines, they would have the same access, the same tools, and the same capabilities. This consistency proved invaluable for maintaining quality standards and operational efficiency across the entire accounting firm.
The Impact: Measurable Results Across the Accounting Firm
The results of implementing Rightworks speak for themselves:
Dramatic Scale Achievement: Sorren successfully grew from 85 employees in a single office to over 1,200 employees across 20+ offices in 13 states, plus international locations.
Seamless Multi-Office Operations: As Kadow notes, “I can go in, log in, and do everything from either office. I’m not getting on a different platform.” This seamless access has eliminated the friction that previously existed when employees needed to work across different locations.
Global Connectivity: The platform successfully supports operations not just domestically but internationally, with offices in India and the Philippines fully integrated into the system.
Operational Unity: Most importantly, Rightworks enabled Sorren to achieve their goal of operating as “one firm” despite their geographic distribution. All employees now work on the same processes, procedures, and technology platform.
The Bottom Line: Essential Infrastructure for Growth
Perhaps the most telling statement about Rightworks’ impact comes from Kadow himself: “Without Rightworks, we would not be able to function.” This isn’t hyperbole—it’s a recognition that in today’s interconnected business environment, having the right technology platform isn’t optional; it’s essential infrastructure.
For accounting firms facing similar growth challenges, Sorren’s experience offers several key takeaways:
- Address Technology Fragmentation Early: Don’t wait until disparate systems become a crisis. Recognize the signs of technological discord and act proactively.
- Prioritize Unification: When evaluating solutions, prioritize platforms that can truly unify your operations rather than simply adding another layer of technology.
- Think Globally from the Start: Even if you’re not multi-state or international yet, choose solutions that can support global operations to avoid future migration challenges.
- Focus on User Experience: The ease with which employees can access and use the system from any location is crucial for adoption and efficiency.
- Align Technology with Vision: Ensure your technology choices support your accounting firm’s final vision—in Sorren’s case, operating as “one firm.”
Looking Forward: A Foundation for Continued Growth
With Rightworks as their technological foundation, Sorren is well-positioned for continued expansion. The platform that enabled their growth from 85 to 1,200+ employees can scale further, supporting whatever ambitious goals the company sets next.
The success story of Sorren demonstrates that with the right technology partner, the challenges of rapid growth can be transformed into opportunities for greater unity, efficiency, and success. As accounting firms worldwide face similar scaling challenges, Sorren’s journey from fragmented operations to unified success serves as both inspiration and roadmap.
For companies experiencing the growing pains of expansion, the message is clear: Investing in the right unifying technology platform isn’t just about solving today’s problems—it’s about building the foundation for tomorrow’s success.