ProNexus credits flexibility, discipline, talented staff for growth

The leaders at ProNexus LLC not only understand that a business is only as good as its people; they live it.

“We’ve done a great job surrounding ourselves with talented people,” said Rafael Vidal, ProNexus’ president.

Having that right group has led to growth and expansion at the Pittsford-based firm, which is celebrating its 10th year in business.

This year is shaping up to be the firm’s best, its leaders said, as they look to new opportunities and the expansion of current offerings.

“We have been disciplined and deliberate in our approach,” said Robert Pickering, ProNexus’ senior executive vice president.

He added that being flexible and taking a proactive approach during the pandemic has also helped the firm streamline and strengthen its operations.

Vidal co-founded ProNexus with Pickering in 2012. The two had already spent a decade working together in the accounting arena before setting out on their own to form the business.

ProNexus is a management consulting and professional services firm that offers finance, accounting and IT solutions and consulting services from strategy and leadership to project execution.

A portion of its business comes from referrals from accounting firms, including the Bonadio Group, which has a minority interest in the business.

Clients are in several industries, from financial services and banking to health care, non-profits and manufacturing.

ProNexus can assist any business including those facing challenges, or in transition, in numerous ways:

The company can assist clients with rapid growth, mergers, acquisitions or exit strategies, integration, turnaround, building infrastructure, compliance, systems optimization, improving performance, bridging a gap in leadership or skill set, or augmenting staff to maintain productivity.
“Our services are relevant and needed regardless of a company’s size or industry,” Pickering said.

ProNexus also places an emphasis on education and periodically offers a virtual CFO podcast, featuring financial leaders from business and nonprofits. Past speakers have included David Bullwinkle with Eastman Kodak Co. and Jeff Fasoldt with the DiMarco Group.

ProNexus employs roughly 90 workers and has a dozen offices, including four in New York: Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, as well as several locations in Michigan.

As it looks to grow several of its services, the firm plans to add employees to the sites and may consider additional locations if its geographic reach expands.

“We see many opportunities for growth,” Pickering said.

One area of expected growth is outsourced accounting services.

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted more businesses to use cloud-based outsourcing services and ProNexus leaders expect that use to not only continue but increase.

Another growth area for the business is its retained search service which has seen increased demand as well, as companies look to fill vacated financial and accounting positions.

Attracting top talent is also among the challenges for ProNexus, Vidal said, noting the company looks for applicants knowledgeable in finance and accounting, and business development. The firm also hires a mix of experienced professionals and those new to the field.

In addition to its services, ProNexus focuses on giving back.

ProNexus gives a scholarship each year to an accounting student attending St. John Fisher College – Vidal’s alma mater – who has demonstrated a high level of academic achievement but might not have the means to pay for school.

ProNexus is also a supporter of local nonprofit organizations, such as Camp Puzzle Peace, a local nonprofit that provides services and support to families dealing with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental delays.

“ProNexus was founded on the principle ‘Give Local, Buy Local,’” Vidal said. “We are a strong supporter of many local nonprofit organizations that are meaningful to the community and our employees.”